I’m a 43-year-old fitness and nutrition coach, professional bodybuilder with FMG, and proud founder of SFFITNESS. I’ve been coaching on and off for nearly two decades, but made it my full-time mission in 2019 – both in person and online. My journey started long before that, though. I grew up running track and playing rugby through high school, college, and well into my 30s with club teams. I’ve always had an athlete’s heart and a coach’s spirit.
My childhood was split between Europe and the Middle East before moving back to the U.S. at 16. Those early years taught me adaptability, discipline, and the importance of resilience – all of which I bring into my coaching.
I am the mum to a “feral” 5-year-old daughter. She has changed my life and my core in so many ways. I want to show her what strength looks like – not just in the gym, but in life. It’s such an amazing thing to have my daughter travel with me to shows and be around so many impressive women. Through SFFITNESS, I get to help others tap into their strength, transform their lives, and show up as their best selves. Coaching is what I was meant to do.
Age:
43
City/Country:
Columbus, GA, USA
Occupation?
Fitness & Nutrition Coach & founder of SFFITNESS
What’s the most challenging situation you’ve faced as a personal trainer, and how did you overcome it?
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn as a coach was not taking it personally when a client isn’t ready or willing to make the changes needed for success. In the beginning, I poured everything into each client – time, energy, heart – and when someone didn’t follow through or gave up on themselves, it felt like I failed them. It was frustrating and, honestly, a little heartbreaking. Over time, I realized that readiness is everything, and people have to come to that point in their own time. My role isn’t to drag someone to the finish line – it’s to walk beside them when they’re ready, offer the tools, the guidance, and the support, and remind them of their power. Once I let go of that emotional weight, I became a better coach – more patient, more compassionate, and more effective. Now, I meet clients where they are, not where I want them to be. That shift has made all the difference – not just for them, but for me.
How would you describe your training philosophy?
My training philosophy is all about honouring your body in every phase – whether you’re in trying to shred, maintenance mode, or just trying to keep it together with a toddler on your hip. I believe health is the foundation of everything: energy, confidence, longevity, and joy. But I also believe life is meant to be lived. Life is too short to eat boring food. I coach my clients to build strength, nourish themselves, and move in ways that feel empowering. It’s about creating a lifestyle that’s sustainable and enjoyable, not one that leaves you feeling deprived or burned out. Personally, I’m chasing the dream of sipping wine and having abs.
In short: love your body, lift heavy, eat real food, and never skip leg day… unless it’s for a really good glass of pinot noir.
Status Fitness now has state-of-the-art training facilities in both LA California, and Vancouver, Canada. It’s ideal for advanced training and content creation, like apps and programs. As a status-published athlete/coach, you could get a personal invite to our studios. What are your thoughts on this opportunity?
Sign me UP!! I love any opportunity to meet others in the industry and learn.
Training Plan:
I am weight training 4 days a week, 2 upper and 2 lower (down from 5 days of weight training this close to show) and 1 day of HIIT training and detail work. I am doing 5 days of cardio, 30 minutes each session. I do the row machine or assault bike.
Nutritional Plan:
Currently, I am in a deep caloric deficit to make sure we come in lean enough for the stage. I eat 5 meals a day, consisting primarily of protein. Focus on whole foods, and lean protein sources such as chicken breast, fish and egg whites. Typically, I eat high protein, prioritize whole foods and enjoy the occasional treat and glass of wine.
Supplement Plan:
I take creatine, magnesium and zinc every day, regardless of show prep. Specifically for show prep, I am also taking a daily potassium and fibre supplement. I get TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) from my doctor on a weekly basis to optimize my hormones during perimenopause.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all natural (no sugar, no artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavors and sweeteners? And Why?
I do not. I believe that the poison is in the dosage. Having products with artificial sweeteners is NOT going to ruin your progress or your health. In fact, they can help you stay compliant with your program. I personally recommend to my clients to prioritize whole foods and to get most of their nutritional needs from these sources. The only supplement I recommend to everyone is monohydrate creatine. I also respect that not everyone has the budget to afford a lot of these products. A store-brand whey protein will do the trick.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
In your years of experience, what would you say has been the most positive trend to emerge in the fitness industry – and on the flip side, what has been the most concerning or detrimental trend you’ve witnessed.
What are your long-term career goals as a fitness trainer, and how do you plan to continue growing in this field?
I’m incredibly grateful to be in the fitness industry and to have turned my passion into a fulfilling career. My long-term goals as a fitness professional involve continuing to grow SF Fitness – not only by expanding the team with additional coaches and strategic partnerships, but also by building out the competition coaching arm to support athletes across a wider range of federations. I’m committed to constantly evolving both as a coach and a leader, ensuring we stay on the cutting edge of training, nutrition, and athlete development.
Beyond coaching, I’m also in the process of launching a new brand that complements SF Fitness – a line of sweat-proof, natural cosmetics designed for active women. It’s a passion project born from my personal experience as both a competitor and a coach, and I expect to have the brand fully launched by August of this year. Ultimately, my goal is to empower more people – especially women – to feel strong, confident, and supported both inside and outside the gym.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is simple. Just start. Whether it’s a fitness goal, launching a business, or making a career move, waiting for the ‘perfect time’ just delays growth and is usually just your fear talking. Progress comes through action, and the best learning happens through experience – mistakes, wins, and everything in between. Momentum is built by doing.
What does success look like for you?
For me, success is about impact and alignment. It means waking up every day loving what I do, knowing I’m having an impact. About being able to show up as the best version of myself for my daughter and be present in her life, in the big and small moments. Success is about building something bigger than myself, like expanding SFFitness and launching my cosmetic line, both of which reflect my values and allow me to empower women inside and outside the gym. If I’m growing, creating opportunities for others, and staying true to my purpose, that’s success.
Your favourite quotes?
“Fear is stupid. So are regrets” -Marilyn Monroe
