THE G: TEAM

I like to make sure that everyone in my class is taken care of. I will go see each person and correct at least one thing in their form and/or help them push harder in at least one movement. I also like pointing out where my students have improved and give them positive reinforcement. No one should leave feeling discouraged. It’s important to me that everyone in my class gets a good workout, and that they leave my class feeling stronger and accomplished.

For me, I feel like staying motivated is easier than getting motivated. Once I get a good rhythm going, and I am consistent it’s easier to stay motivated because working out just makes me feel good (all those great endorphins become addictive), and if I miss a day I really feel it. Consistency is really key for me to stay motivated. If I’m having a hard time getting in the mood to get started, I tell myself “just show up. Just do something. It’s ok if I don’t have the best workout of my life, just show up and move”, then half way through my workout I start feeling good and want to push myself. There’s a saying I really like “You never regret a workout”.

When I’m being good my eating regimen is pretty strict. I like eating well balanced meals 2-3 times a day, and add healthy snacks. My meals consist of 4-5 oz of lean protein (usually meat), unlimited veggies, healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and ¾ cup of complex carbs such as sweet potatoes, beans, lentils and wild rice. For snacks and breakfast I’ll make smoothies, eat fruit, buy or make protein bars ( I like to stick to protein bars with whole foods and avoid processed ingredients). I’m a BIG snacker and dessert eater, so I’m always trying to find healthy choices to fill that craving. Erewhon is one of my favorite places to go for fun healthy treats.

How do you keep classes fresh?
I like to play around with the machines on my off time, watch videos online, listen to feedback from my students and participate in all the instructors classes. That way I am always learning new things to teach in my classes.

What is your go to food in the morning to get your day started?
I usually start my day at 4am and I’m not really hungry at that time. So I like to keep it light but have something that will give me a little energy to get me through the first few hours of my day. Usually I’ll make a smoothie in the blender. Some staples I use are; protein powder/banana/Greek yogurt/oat milk/collagen/almond butter/blueberries/acai powder/ hemp seeds/chia seeds/ SunPotion (sold @ G:50). Fast, easy and healthy. What I put in my smoothies changes all the time, I like to play around with flavors and health benefit ingredients.

What is your favorite song for motivating yourself as well as your class?
I’m a big fan of Marylin Manson, Rob Zombie, Ramstein, and that kind of music for my personal workouts. But I know the majority of people don’t appreciate that kind of music, so for my classes I play my second favorite kind of music; Rock/ pop/hip-hop mostly from the 90’s but I also like to put in music that is more current. I like to go with my mood, see how the class is feeling, and get a good vibe going for everyone.

What is your workout regimen outside of the studio?
Pre-Covid, I would train at the studio at least 5 days a week, and two days a week I would do a HIIT program with heavy weights at the gym. I’m not a fan of cardio, I rather get my cardio from lifting weights. The only cardio machine I like to use for my warm up/cooldown is the Step Up machine, because you know… booty gains. Post-Covid I’m doing the studio’s zoom classes and home HIIT workouts using TRX, kettlebells, balance ball, wall ball, Bulgarian bag, ankle weights, dumbbells, step up risers, Olympic Hex bar, and whatever else I’ll randomly buy at 2am when I can’t sleep.

What motivated you to start working out and then become a trainer?
I started working out when I was about 18 years old. I used to love going to punk/rock clubs and concerts, I loved jumping into the center of the mosh pit and “dance”. I would get super into the music and would want to keep dancing song after song but my cardio couldn’t take it. I’d be out of breath after one song, and I’d have to step out of the mosh pit to catch my breath. So I started going to the gym and did lots of cardio so I could stay longer in the pit (lol omg). I would measure my cardio efficiency every Friday night by how many songs I could last in the pit. It’s crazy the improvement, I could dance the
night away! Since then I’ve learned so much, I’ve done all kinds of workouts; spinning, bootcamps, Pilates, CrossFit, etc. I love how it makes me feel strong, accomplished, and just all around good about myself. I wanted to become a trainer because I wanted to help others feel good about themselves.

How do you motivate people to respect themselves?
I often hear new students say “I’m so weak” “I’m not good at this”, I like to encourage them to stay positive and remember that they are new at this, and it takes time and consistency to get better and stronger. The first time I took this class I was DYING! It’s normal, you’ve never done this before. Take one day at a time. I like to ask them; “ Did you show up today? Did you push yourself?” they will always say yes, and that is the first step. One day at a time, one workout at a time.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Hit the snooze button about 17 times until I’m late to work ( Don’t worry I don’t teach mornings).

Staying educated on the latest fitness moves/ trends helps me keep class fresh.

It is hard to pick but any song from Lil Wayne.

1st. I started working out to get stronger/ faster for high school sports.

2nd. I became a PT because I have always loved helping people achieve their goals.

What is your GoTo Food in the morning to get your day started
I intermittent fast so I do not eat in the morning.

How do you stay motivated?
I formulate a goal and use that goal to motivate myself.

What is your eating regimen?
I Intermittent Fast ( I.e. fast for 14 hour/ eat for 10)

How do you bring the enthusiasm of 1 on 1 training to group classes?
I try to make an individual connection with every person in my class.

What is your workout regimen outside of the studio
Pilates, HIIT training, and basketball.

How do you motivate people to respect themselves?
By teaching that giving your best is good enough.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Brush my teeth.