I joined SPENGA as a founding member in March of 2020. I have always been into fitness and had hopped around to different gyms but never stayed in one spot very long as I would get bored or never felt challenged or connected. If I attended a group fitness class I just blended in the back and would exit quickly as people were not there to make friends but strictly workout. When I found SPENGA all of that changed. Immediately when I walked through the doors people knew my name and if we didn’t know each other we were getting to know one another as we were all there for the same purpose, but the sense of belonging to a community with all the same goals in mind made a world of difference, and let’s be honest, where else can you go and get spin, strength and yoga all in one workout? It was the best of all worlds. Fast forward a year and a half later, I was so in love with SPENGA, I decided to become a personal trainer and audition to become an instructor. Fast forward another year and out of nowhere the opportunity came up to purchase SPENGA and I knew God was in it and we had to buy it.

My favorite part of working at SPENGA?

I can honestly say it is our members. We have something at SPENGA that is so unique and special. Yes, we come for an amazing workout but when we are hanging out in the lobby or cheering each other on during the workout our community is one of a kind. We even plan monthly social events to get together outside of the studio and connect and the members love it. My second favorite part is seeing members from where they started in their fitness journey to where they are currently and the goals they have achieved. Members who could never do a push up and now can or members who started with no weights and now picking up 10lbs just makes it all worth it.

Favorite format?

So hard to pick as I love them all but I would say EMOM is my favorite. EMOM is Every Minute on the Minute. This is the only format that does not give a specific amount of rest as you work the whole 20 minutes. So often we tell ourselves we have to have a rest break and we minimize what our bodies can really do. This format makes you challenge yourself to continue working through and letting your body tell you when a quick rest is needed and then back at it!!

What made you get involved in fitness or instructing?

I never really had a passion for fitness as my son was born with spina bifida and had so many needs when he was young and my focus was definitely not on myself but on his care. When he was about 7 he had a lot of his major surgeries behind him and I had put on so much weight and was just not happy with myself. I started to realize that I was only going to be my best for him if I was at my best for myself. I started carving out 20 min a day for myself to exercise and making some changes to my diet.

When I started seeing results it became a whole lifestyle change for me and I have never looked back. At 49 I became a personal trainer and realized you are never too old to achieve your dreams.

Where can I be found?

In the studio. When I am not instructing or doing the daily General Manager (GM) responsibilities, you will find me taking a session. When I am not at the studio I am spending time with my best friend, my husband, and our 4 year old goldendoodle, Khaleesi. Our kids are grown so we are empty nesters and enjoy going out to dinner, live music, handing out at our pool and entertaining. We attend New Life Chapel and that has been our church home for 11 years. We are where we are today because of God’s grace and blessings and we owe it all to Him!

After a workout?

I am usually fueling my body with some lean protein and some greens. I love to have my veg out nights on the couch binging on Netflix!

My guilty pleasures?

Life is definitely a balance so I don’t deprive myself of anything as long as it is not very often and in small portions. Pasta, doughnuts, and ice cream are just a few of my favorites.

Songs that get me hyped?

I am someone who loves all types of music. I love the current pop hits, the 80;s and 90’s, throw in country and even Broadway tunes and you have made my heart happy.