When I was approached by 425 Magazine to be featured in their Health and Wellness column, I was very excited to share my unconventional path into the fitness industry, what inspired me to open a gym, and the role physical health plays in our lives. It was a chance to reflect on how my background as an occupational therapist shapes both my approach to training and how I connect with others.
Below, I’m sharing the full interview, including some actionable ways to stay active and insights on reframing your mindset around health.
How long have you been in the fitness industry? What inspired you to open a gym?
I’ve been in the health and fitness space for almost a decade! Before fully committing to fitness, I worked in rehabilitation as an occupational therapist. I had dreams of owning a gym as a little girl (though I imagined it as a gymnastics gym), but a steady career in healthcare seemed more practical, so that’s the path I pursued in college.
In 2018, my husband and I moved to California, where I started working with a trainer and fell in love with the training process. Training gave me goals to chase, rekindled my love for movement, and made me feel like an athlete again.
I eventually left my steady job in healthcare to manage the gym my trainer owned. I immediately knew it was the right decision. After moving back to Washington, opening my own gym felt like the natural next step. Now, I get to create a space where people feel supported, challenged, and—best of all—fall in love with training the way I did.
What made you interested in a career in physical health? Could you share a bit about your time as an occupational therapist?
Health and wellness have been at the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m always thinking about what it means to live well and enjoy a high quality of life—both for myself and for others.
After graduating from the Occupational Therapy program at the University of Puget Sound, I interned at Valley Medical Center in Renton. My eyes were opened to the consequences of years of sedentary living, poor nutrition, and chronic disease—specifically, how much freedom we lose without our health.
I wholeheartedly believe that exercise is the best form of preventative medicine available. We know that exercise has the potential to massively impact our health—from decreased risk of heart disease or stroke to improved bone density and decreased fall risk. I don’t think anyone who has improved their strength, endurance, or range of motion hasn’t found it easier to meet the physical demands of daily life.
Much of what we do at Eastside Athletics is providing clients with the tools they need to develop and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. If that isn’t preventative medicine, I don’t know what is.
What are some common reasons people seek out personal training?
Our clients come to us for all sorts of reasons, but the most common include:
- Feeling lost and needing guidance on where to start.
- Seeking accountability and structure to achieve their goals.
- Wanting to work around pain, injuries, or mobility challenges.
- Pursuing specific goals, like weight loss, muscle gain, or athletic performance.
- Learning proper form and technique—or just wanting someone to push them harder than they’d push themselves.
What are some actionable ways people can take care of their physical health? Are there any specific ways you’d recommend?
Honestly? Keep it simple:
- Eat well.
- Sleep well.
- Regularly train for both strength and cardiovascular fitness.
There’s so much noise out there about what “works”. While other people are trying to find a hack, be the person who is consistent with high-performance habits. Ask yourself, “What would a healthy person do?” Then go do that.
Why is taking care of physical health so important? What are the long-term benefits?
Physical health affects every aspect of life. It’s the foundation of a meaningful and fulfilling existence, allowing us to do the things we love—spending time with family and friends, enjoying hobbies, or maintaining independence in our daily activities.
Taking care of your body through regular movement, strength training, and mobility work helps prevent chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal issues. It also plays a major role in supporting mental health, lowering the risk of anxiety and depression, and keeping our minds sharp as we age. Muscle truly is the organ of longevity.
Even simple, everyday actions like getting dressed, cooking, or climbing stairs can become challenging without consistent attention to physical health. By making it a priority, we set ourselves up for a better quality of life—one where we’re free to live on our own terms and continue doing the things that bring us joy. In the long run, caring for your physical health is one of the most important investments you can make in your future self.
Sedentary living seems to be something a lot of people struggle with, especially with so many folks working from home post-pandemic. What are some easy ways to get up and moving throughout the day?
I wouldn’t necessarily call it “easy” because incorporating more movement into a sedentary routine takes effort and intention. But is it doable? Absolutely.
The key is to make movement a non-negotiable part of your day—just like brushing your teeth or grabbing your morning coffee. For me, moving in the morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Sometimes that means a structured training session, but other times, it’s as just a walk around the neighborhood.
Here are some other ideas to help you get up and moving:
- Take a 15-minute walk after lunch. Pairing movement with an existing routine (like eating) makes it easier to remember and stick with.
- Combine movement with social time. Meet a friend for a hike, join a yoga or fitness class together, or just walk and chat on the phone after work.
- Set reminders to move. If you’re glued to your desk, set a timer every 30–60 minutes to stand up or take a quick lap around the house.
Movement doesn’t have to mean an hour-long gym session or a perfectly curated workout. The goal is to weave movement into your daily routine so that your day feels incomplete without it.
What if someone doesn’t like going to the gym? What are the different ways that people move?
I think it’s a pretty common experience to not like going to the gym. It’s very human to not like doing things that are hard or that we are bad at, and for most people that are starting a fitness journey, you’re going to feel some level of incompetence in the beginning. It’s part of the process.
Learn to lean into discomfort or challenge. It isn’t supposed to be easy.
That said, the gym isn’t the only way to move. Hiking, skiing, dancing, swimming, and pickleball all count. Movement is movement—find something you enjoy and start there.
What advice would you give someone daunted by starting their fitness journey?
Waiting doesn’t get you anywhere. You don’t need a perfect plan. Just start, build some momentum, and be okay with stumbling along the way.
Ask for help. Find a trainer or someone who has achieved what you want to achieve and ask questions. Be eager to learn. Training is an iterative process, full of trial and error, but you can save yourself a lot of frustration by seeking out a coach or mentor early on.