What is your WHY? Why do you teach and what is your motivation?

I’m a firm believer that physical health and mental health are firmly intertwined and I want to help others incorporate it into their daily routine in an enjoyable and sustainable manner.

How did you first get into fitness?

I’ve always loved sports of all types; mainly the challenge of growing as a team while also focusing on personal growth, and the Fight Club community provided the perfect substitute for what I was missing when I no longer played team sports.

What’s the best health/wellness advice you’ve ever received that has actually helped?

I had a childhood coach who would always quote the old football proverb: “Every day you either get better or you get worse. You never stay the same”, and that’s often my personal affirmation when I’m avoiding a difficult task, like a tough workout, for instance.

What’s your favorite workout to do when you’re not teaching?

I’m a big runner, and there’s nothing I like more than running along Town Lake in Austin when I need a change of scenery from the gym. It’s incredibly serene, and it always provides me with my dog fix since I don’t get to see my Golden Retrievers back home very often.

What’s the last song you listened to on Spotify (or iTunes, Pandora, etc.)?

“Peanut Butter Jelly” by Galantis always brings a smile to my face, and it’s a great way to start a station on Spotify or Pandora.

Best thing in your fridge right now?

I’m pretty obsessed with Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce, (the honey chipotle in particular), and that’s something I stock up on so that I never run out.

Go-to pre or post-workout snack?

Eating too much or too little before a workout is always a delicate balance, but I’ve found bananas and Epic bars always seem to do the trick.

Go-to morning beverage(s)?

I try to stick to water as much as possible; I used to have a Gatorade addiction that I have to fight to keep at bay daily.

Favorite splurge meal/dessert?

It’s actually unsettling how much I think about pizza, and there’s nothing better than a slice (or two), after a night on the town. Via 313 is an all-time favorite, but I’m not too hard to please.

Where do you get your health/wellness information? (blog, website, podcast, etc.)

I’m constantly taking in as much information as possible, whether that’s reading useful articles online or talking to fellow trainers. I also spend a ton of time talking to clients, seeing what they liked and didn’t like about certain exercises and various classes as a whole. You can learn a lot just from listening to their feedback, because in the end, their opinions, and whether they’ll tell their friends about us, are what will make or break the business.

If this wasn’t your job, what would be your job?

In my career, I’ve always worked in Operations Management, and being the General Manager at Fight Club allowed me to combine my passion for business with my love of fitness. I don’t want to think about what I’d be doing otherwise because this role has been incredibly fulfilling being surrounded by so many amazing people that are dedicated to improving their overall health and well-being.

Favorite way to unwind after a long day/week?

The music scene in Austin is as good as it gets, and I try to take advantage of it as much as possible. Being outdoors surrounded by friends and live music is my ideal weekend activity.