I am a highly accomplished individual with a solid educational foundation, having graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Kinesiology in 2006. During my time at Penn State, I had the privilege of serving as a Teacher's Assistant in Human Anatomy courses, where I expertly dissected and meticulously preserved human cadavers, displaying a deep sense of responsibility throughout the school year.
As a heavyweight rower for the renowned Penn State Crew Team from 2003 to 2006, I achieved remarkable success. In the 2005-2006 rowing season, I went undefeated in women's 4+ category, securing gold at two prestigious national collegiate regattas and capturing bronze at the internationally acclaimed Head of the Charles regatta.
Driven by my passion for both physical fitness and holistic wellness, I collaborated with a campus strength training coach to develop a specialized strength training regimen for the Crew team. Additionally, I took on the role of personally teaching yoga to the crew team, imparting the benefits of this practice once a month throughout the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 seasons.
With a commitment to professional growth, I obtained certification as a personal trainer in 2007 from ACSM, followed by NASM from 2009 to 2013. During this period, I worked as a Certified Personal Trainer, gaining valuable experience working with diverse clients, including individuals with special needs such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, and brain injuries. My dedication to addressing imbalances in the general public and special populations led me to attend several workshops on functional training at the esteemed DCAC conference in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
In 2008, I earned registration as a 200RYT with the esteemed Yoga Alliance, further deepening my knowledge and practice. Pursuing continuous growth, I underwent a second 200-hour training with Rolf Gates in 2011 and participated in the Baron Baptiste Level one, Level two, and art of assisting teacher trainings in subsequent years. In June 2017, I became a certified Baptiste teacher and achieved Tier-3 status, culminating in my attainment of the prestigious 500RYT in 2022.
Fueling my passion for teaching, I began my journey at Down Dog yoga, a Baptiste-inspired studio, as a volunteer teacher's assistant in 2007. Recognizing my expertise and dedication, I was hired as a staff teacher in 2008, serving at Down Dog Yoga until 2013. During this time, I had the honor of being mentored by Patty Ivey, a Certified Baptiste teacher, and assumed the role of lead instructor for three teacher trainings under her guidance. In addition, I obtained RYS status and spearheaded the creation and leadership of two 200RYT trainings in 2015 and 2016.
In 2017, I relocated to Pennsylvania and joined Evolution Power Yoga in Lancaster, where I took charge of three 200-hour level and three 300-hour level trainings. Demonstrating my commitment to comprehensive development, I became a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach in August of 2022, further enhancing my ability to empower individuals.
Currently, I am proud to serve as the Founder of The Leading Light Coach, an esteemed online platform dedicated to yoga teacher development and strength-based yoga teacher coaching. Through this venture, I strive to inspire and guide aspiring teachers towards their full potential, emphasizing the fusion of physical strength and spiritual growth.