For years, I was constantly pouring into everyone around me, balancing motherhood, corporate sales, community building, fitness instruction, and countless responsibilities, often without slowing down to truly care for myself. While wellness had always been part of my life, I eventually realized that true wellbeing went far beyond movement, nutrition, or appearance. Watching my mom go through her heart transplant journey became a major turning point, shifting the way I viewed health and inspiring me to become more intentional about caring for my mind, body, and overall wellbeing. That experience sparked a deeper desire to help others create healthier, more connected, and more sustainable lives.
Taking The Health Coach Training Program™ through IIN expanded my understanding of wellness far beyond nutrition and fitness. It helped me see how deeply mindset, stress, relationships, and community impact our overall health, and gave me the tools and confidence to support both my own growth and others’ journeys. Today, through Social Wellness Society, Pilates, and my emerging coaching practice, I’m passionate about helping others create more balanced, connected, and sustainable lives.
WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT WHEN YOU REALIZED YOU WANTED WELLNESS TO BECOME A BIGGER PART OF YOUR LIFE AND FUTURE WORK?
A: I was in a season where I realized I was pouring so much into everyone and everything around me, but not always into myself. Movement initially became my outlet, but over time I realized wellness was so much bigger than workouts or nutrition. It was about how I felt mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Once I experienced how transformative prioritizing my wellbeing could be, I knew I wanted to help create that same feeling for others. This ultimately led me to pursuing health coaching and building Social Wellness Society.
HOW DID YOUR OWN MOTHER'S HEALTH JOURNEY RESHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?
A: Watching my mom go through her heart transplant in the first half of 2023 was really eye-opening. This really pushed me to pursue the health coaching program. This felt so personal, not just preventative, and reinforced that health/wellness needs to be actively nurtured and protected. It also reminded me how interconnected everything is: stress, mindset, nourishment, support systems, movement, and emotional wellbeing. It deepened my appreciation for holistic wellness and reinforced that true health is so much more than what we see externally. It also sparked a desire to be more proactive about my own family’s health, focusing on making meaningful improvements now that can help set us up for greater health, vitality, and quality of life in the years ahead.
BEFORE IIN, WHAT ASPECTS OF WELLNESS DO YOU FEEL WERE MISSING FROM THE CONVERSATIONS YOU WERE SEEING AROUND HEALTH?
A: I struggled for many years in my own health/wellness journey. I hyper-focused on aesthetics, weight, quick fixes, or rigid routines. What I didn’t realize was the focus around emotional wellbeing, relationships, stress management, joy, purpose, and most importantly, community. Wellness isn’t just what’s on your plate or how often you work out. It’s also who you surround yourself with, how you speak to yourself, how you manage stress, and whether your lifestyle actually feels supportive and sustainable.
WHY DO YOU THINK EMOTIONAL, MENTAL, AND SOCIAL WELLBEING ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL HEALTH?
A: You can be doing all the “right” things physically, but if you’re constantly stressed, isolated, burnt out, or mentally depleted, your overall wellbeing will still suffer, and I know this first-hand. We need connection, and our mental and emotional health directly impacts our habits, energy, resilience, and even physical health outcomes. Wellness has to be approached as a whole-person experience, and it really is different for every individual. True well-being is about finding what fuels your unique mind, body, and spirit, and this often takes time and energy to figure out what that looks/feels like.
WHAT MADE THE HEALTH COACH TRAINING PROGRAM FEEL TRANSFORMATIVE FOR YOU PERSONALLY?
A: IIN helped expand my definition of wellness in such a meaningful way. Before the program, I honestly didn’t fully understand that health and wellness extended far beyond fitness and the foods we fuel our bodies with. Like many people, I primarily associated wellness with movement, nutrition, and physical health. Looking back, there were seasons where I was actually very unwell despite focusing so heavily on those two areas, because I needed support in other aspects of my wellbeing and didn’t even realize it at the time. IIN introduced me to a much more holistic perspective that truly changed how I view health.
Seeing frameworks like the Circle of Life Tool and exploring the many dimensions that contribute to overall wellness was incredibly eye-opening. It made me reflect on how much younger me would have benefited from having access to this knowledge, these tools, and this broader understanding of what it truly means to be well. I’m so grateful to now carry these tools not only into my own ongoing wellness journey, but also to use them in supporting my loved ones and future clients in a more intentional, compassionate, and well-rounded way.
WHAT’S ONE LESSON FROM IIN THAT YOU STILL APPLY IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?
A: That bio-individuality matters. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness, and what works beautifully for one person may not work for another. Honoring that creates so much more freedom, self-compassion, and grace around health, instead of feeling like we need to fit into someone else’s version of wellness. It’s also incredibly empowering when you begin to discover what truly makes you feel your best, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and can build habits and a lifestyle that genuinely supports your unique needs.
YOU’VE BUILT COMMUNITIES THROUGH WELLNESS EVENTS, PILATES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND SOCIAL WELLNESS SOCIETY. WHAT ROLE DOES CONNECTION PLAY IN WELLBEING?
A: Community and connection are so vital to our wellbeing. Social Wellness Society was built around the belief that community is wellness, because we are not meant to do life alone, and because genuine in-person human connection plays such an important role in our overall health and happiness. Some of the most meaningful shifts happen when people feel seen, supported, encouraged, and connected to others who share similar values. Movement can be incredibly powerful on its own, but when paired with authentic human connection, it becomes something even more healing, and I absolutely love witnessing that magic unfold at our events.
Social Wellness Society began as a personal passion project, born from my own desire for deeper connection and a vision to create safe, inclusive spaces where people could meet new friends, try new experiences, and prioritize their wellbeing together. In a relatively short time, it has grown into such a vibrant community filled with incredible individuals whose energy, kindness, and willingness to show up for one another are what truly make it so special.
EVEN BEFORE FORMALLY PRACTICING AS A COACH, YOU’VE INSPIRED PEOPLE AROUND YOU TO MAKE LIFESTYLE CHANGES. WHAT HAS THAT EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE FOR YOU?
A: Honestly, it’s been incredibly fulfilling. One of the most rewarding parts has been helping people realize that wellness doesn’t have to feel intimidating, restrictive, or exclusive. It can actually be joyful, approachable, and something that enhances your life rather than adding pressure to it. Whether it’s someone stepping into their very first Pilates class, starting to prioritize their mental health, making small but meaningful lifestyle shifts, or simply feeling stronger and more confident in their own skin, getting to be even a small part of that journey is really special. There’s something so powerful about that ripple effect, when one person starts showing up for themselves and it inspires others to do the same.
I also try to be very open about my own struggles, both past and present, because I think it’s important for people to know that wellness isn’t about perfection or having everything figured out. We’re all continuously evolving, learning, and navigating different seasons of life, and there’s so much power in being honest about that.
YOU BALANCE MOTHERHOOD, CORPORATE SALES, WELLNESS WORK, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY STAY GROUNDED THROUGH BUSY SEASONS?
A: I’ve learned that feeling grounded doesn’t always mean having everything perfectly balanced, because honestly, real life rarely looks like that. Lately, especially over the past few months, this has been something I’ve been navigating in a very real way. I’ve had a lot on my plate across work, community building, teaching, family life, and personal commitments, and if I’m being honest, I’ve felt the weight of burnout creeping in. It’s been a reminder that even when you work in wellness, you’re still human, and protecting your own wellbeing has to remain a priority too. That has meant making some difficult decisions, saying no to things I may have wanted to say yes to, creating stronger boundaries, and choosing to protect my peace (and honestly, my sanity) over constantly pushing through.
For me, staying grounded sometimes looks like simplifying, prioritizing movement, getting outside, leaning into community, choosing rest over productivity, and returning to the supportive habits that help me feel like myself. I’ve become much less focused on perfection and much more focused on self-awareness, grace, and honoring what I actually need in different seasons.
MANY PEOPLE FEEL OVERWHELMED TRYING TO LIVE “HEALTHY.” WHAT’S YOUR ADVICE FOR MAKING WELLNESS FEEL MORE REALISTIC AND SUSTAINABLE?
A: Balance, baby, balance. I’m a huge believer that wellness should enhance your life, not make you afraid to live it. I fully believe in enjoying the dinner out, the dessert, the vacation, the celebratory cocktail, and the spontaneous moments that make life fun, while also prioritizing habits that support your wellbeing most of the time. I used to be incredibly hard on myself and very rigid when it came to health, and if I’m being honest, that mindset led to some really unhealthy and toxic patterns around food, exercise, and self-expectations. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that sustainable wellness lives in balance, not extremes.
I’m a big fan of the 80/20 mindset, focusing on nourishing habits most of the time while still leaving room to actually enjoy life. My advice is to start smaller than you think you need to. Wellness doesn’t have to mean overhauling your entire life overnight. A daily walk, drinking more water, prioritizing sleep, adding protein, creating healthier boundaries, or finding a form of movement you genuinely enjoy can create incredible momentum. Sustainable wellness should feel supportive, empowering, and realistic, not punishing.
WHAT PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT YOU'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT AND WHY?
A: Over the last year and a half, I was juggling a full-time corporate career, multiple side contracting roles, teaching fitness, growing Social Wellness Society, and showing up as a mom, wife, friend, and everything in between. While so much of it brought incredible experiences, meaningful connections, and opportunities I’m deeply grateful for, if I’m being completely honest, it also became incredibly overwhelming. I recently made the decision to downsize and create more space, and it has felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Right now, I’m in a season of being really intentional about how I want to show up, where I expend my energy, and what kind of impact I truly want to create in a sustainable way.
That means refocusing on community and pouring more energy back into Social Wellness Society, which has always been such a heart-led passion project for me. Creating spaces where people can connect, move, feel supported, and experience wellness in a joyful and inclusive way is work that truly lights me up. I’m also incredibly excited to finally be officially starting my health coaching business (FINALLY!!), which feels like such a natural next chapter after this journey with IIN and my own personal wellness evolution. I’m really looking forward to supporting others in a deeper, more intentional way while building a life and career that feels aligned, impactful, and sustainable.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE CONSIDERING BECOMING A HEALTH COACH AT IIN BUT UNSURE IF THEY’RE READY TO TAKE THE LEAP?
A: You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. So often, clarity comes through action. If you feel genuinely called toward helping others, learning more about wellness, or creating a more aligned path for yourself, that curiosity is absolutely worth exploring. Starting before you feel “fully ready” is often where the most growth happens.
I also think it’s important to remember that pursuing a program like The Health Coach Training Program doesn’t mean you have to become a practicing Health Coach in the traditional sense. The knowledge, tools, and resources you’re exposed to can open so many unexpected doors, whether that’s supporting your own personal wellness journey, helping your family and loved ones, integrating what you learn into your current career, building a business, or discovering an entirely new path you hadn’t even considered yet. Sometimes taking the leap into something new is exactly what helps you stumble across what you’ve been searching for all along.
BEST DECISION YOU EVER MADE FOR YOUR WELLBEING?
A: Choosing self-love over self-criticism. Letting go of the negative self-talk, unrealistic expectations, and the belief that wellness had to come from punishment or perfection was incredibly transformative. Learning to care for my body from a place of respect and gratitude, rather than criticism, changed everything.
A BOOK, PODCAST, OR WELLNESS RESOURCE YOU’D RECOMMEND TO THE IIN COMMUNITY?
A: I’d recommend Hidden Potential by Adam Grant. It really resonated with me because it reinforces the idea that growth and transformation aren’t about perfection or innate talent, but about being willing to evolve, stay curious, and continue showing up for yourself even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.
IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT WELLNESS ERA IN ONE SONG, ARTIST, OR PLAYLIST, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A: Grateful by Rita Ora. My current wellness era feels less about hustle or perfection and much more about gratitude, protecting my peace, self-growth, and creating a life that feels aligned, joyful, and sustainable.
WHAT’S ONE SELF-CARE RITUAL YOU’LL NEVER GIVE UP?
A: That’s a tough one for someone who proudly refers to herself as a self-proclaimed self-care queen. I have quite a few daily and weekly self-care rituals that bring me so much joy, peace, and stress relief, but if I had to choose just one, it would be daily movement. Whether it’s Pilates, strength training, a long walk, a dance in my pjs in the kitchen or simply getting outside, it’s one of my biggest anchors. What makes that especially meaningful is that my relationship with movement has evolved so much over the years.
There was a time when I used exercise as a form of punishment because I was unhappy with my body and believed movement was something I had to do to change myself. Now, movement comes from a completely different place, one of gratitude, self-respect, joy, and celebrating what my body is capable of. It has become one of the most powerful ways I reconnect with myself, clear my mind, boost my mood, and feel grounded, and that’s something I’ll never want to give up.