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Growing up my dream was to become a doctor. I graduated from University of Pennsylvania in 1996 with a BA/MS in Nutrition and Health Science, and was a member of both the lacrosse and field hockey teams. From there, I began working part time as a personal trainer while conducting weight loss and nutrition research at MIT. When our research ended I left MIT to work as a pharmaceutical sales representative for Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories; still training clients and athletes. During that time, to get ready for medical school, I earned a Certificate of Health Sciences from Harvard University. In 2001, I made a life changing decision not to go to medical school. I was so fulfilled by my part-time work as a personal trainer; I decided to make a career out of helping people achieve their fitness and athletic goals. Relying on my experience working with competitive athletes of various levels in track, road racing, and cycling, as well as my research in weight loss at MIT, I began to expand my client base as well as my education. I spent 600+ hours training in the New York Method of Pilates to learn more about how the body moves, muscular imbalances, structural compensations, and became a certified Pilates instructor. Additionally, I completed the coursework to become certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a personal trainer and integrated flexibility specialist. My most recent certifications are as a Level 1 and Level 2 USAT certified coach. My first race was in 1996 and was a 5 mile road race. Since then, I have completed six marathons, and have qualified for the Boston Marathon three times. After six years of racing marathons and completing a few thousand miles of charity bike rides, I decided to try my first triathlon. I was not much of a swimmer; my only formal training was the splashing around we all have done at summer camp. My first race was a local sprint, the swim was in a pool and I had barely learned to do flip turns! Unfortunately, I only knew how to turn counterclockwise and, of course, the race loops went clockwise down the lanes…it made for an interesting start of a race, and was where I learned the importance of developing a "race plan". Lesson 1: know the course. After 10+ years of racing triathlons, I have come a long way from those days back in the pool, but still learn something new with every race. My past experience as a college level athlete, summer sports counselor, and weight management researcher has taught me lessons about working with all different types of athletes. I have taught all levels of fitness, from those trying to simply get back in shape, to goal minded athletes. I have coached many first time "newbies" to their first successful 5k, marathon, triathlon and ironman and I also coach many athletes looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon or World Championships in Hawaii. Coaching Philosophy
My first meeting with an athlete begins with a question: I believe that every coaching/training relationship is an ongoing process. I like to learn as much as possible about my athletes; what are their time commitments; work, family, and travel. I then focus on their health histories; what injuries they have endured, and what I as their coach can do to avoid future injury. Each athlete is an individual with specific needs, strengths and weaknesses. My extensive training on the body helps me create a personalized, periodized program, for improving skills, speed and power in all 3 sports. My FIRM belief is that triathletes, and athletes in general, need to have a solid foundation of strength and conditioning in the weightroom in order to succeed. Many of my local athletes come to to work with me on an individual basis or in semiprivate training sessions. "Why should I hire a coach?"
Here’s my answer:
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