I consider myself a can be (what more can I do or be!!) I didn't play sports when I was younger and I didn't have natural athletic skill or talent. Beyond that and more importantly, I never really had the confidence to even try. (Sad face.) I did run Cross Country my senior year in high school and I was a part of the newly formed Crew at my University for a few years. (All very random I know!)
At some point in my 20s, I started running and doing push-ups. (I ran a lot during that time and have completed one marathon and around 12 half-marathons.) I messed around with weights in my basement. At some point, working out and being healthy just became a regular part of life. I found that exercise made me stronger – mentally and physically. It made me happy. It made me a little tougher, a little harder to knock down. Most importantly it changed all the ideas I had about “me” and what I could and could not do. The more I did...the better I felt, the better I became, the more I believed in myself and in the world around me. I felt like that was something I wanted to share.
I changed careers at 37. I've spent time in marketing, events and non-profit. Before I started Dragonfly I spent about 8 years at the St. Louis Blues managing their non-profit foundation and community relations department. Some will hardly believe I left such a job, but I always had a dream to own a business. However, I never imagined it would be fitness-related! Anyhow, if you wonder why we do so much charity work -- this is your answer. In my time there I was a part of so many wonderful things from children's hospital visits with players to large fundraisers to helping homeless animals. I worked with lots of different charities and was a small part of some very special moments. I wanted to keep some of that. I loved that team while I was there and I loved working to help those causes.
Fast forward to now...I've been a coach since 2011, and have been a business owner since 2012. It has been the most challenging and rewarding endeavor I've ever taken on! It never seems to get easier, I'm just trying to get better. In addition growing my coaching and business skills, my strength has also come a long way over the years. I can do things I never even thought about doing before. And I can tell you that it's not because of natural talent, it's just because I work at it. Strength training with low reps is my favorite! Let me pick up the heaviest thing or do the hardest thing possible, but just for a few reps, LOL. My favorite exercises are the deadlift, single arm press, pull-up and just about anything with the kettlebell! (Swings and snatches are my kinda cardio!)
It's so exciting these days to see members engaged with questions, asking about form, helping one another, writing stuff down and progressing! The icing on the cake -- to see them do something for the first time or something they didn't think they could do! I know they're gonna walk out that door and feel like they can do anything! And that is truly what it's all about. I believe that there's a huge carryover from these four walls to life outside of them. I've experienced this and have witnessed it. It's why we're here. I truly enjoy helping others learn, get stronger and most importantly -- believe in themselves.
• StrongFirst SFG Level II Certified Kettlebell Instructor
• Precision Nutrition Certified, Level 2 Nutrition Coach
• Precision Nutrition Certified, Level 1 Sleep, Stress Management & Recovery Coach
• Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• Courses attended/completed: Dark Horse Rowing Pro Course, Precision Nutrition: Nutrition for Metabolic Health, StrongFirst Barbell Fundamentals, StrongFirst Victorious Kettlebell Pressing Course, StrongFirst Strong Endurance by Pavel Seminar, StrongFirst Bodyweight Strength Instructor Certification
• Athletes for Animals/Board Member, Second Chance Ranch/Volunteer
I spent 15 years working in retail management and while there were aspects of my job that I enjoyed, I no longer found it satisfying. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to be when I “grew up” so I kept plugging along, mostly because it was easier to stay than to step outside my comfort zone and try anything new. I’ve always been pretty active but had never tried any sort of strength training or group classes until I (nervously!) joined Dragonfly as a client in January 2014 – I was looking for a new challenge and a way to de-stress. Not only did I find a great place to work out, but I found an amazing group of supportive women in a completely comfortable, fun environment (and it’s in my neighborhood – yay!).
In October 2014 I joined Renah and the DFT team helping out with some admin work at the studio part-time while keeping my foot in the retail world. In January 2015, I went full time at Dragonfly. It was a scary leap, but it was 100% the best choice – I’m so glad I did!
The next step in my journey was becoming a coach (talk about stepping out of my comfort zone – learning a whole new craft….and voluntarily talking in front of people all day – so scary!). I became certified in July 2015 and began coaching in August 2015 and I’ve loved it since!
I understand what it feels like to be intimidated by strength training and lifting weights, but with the proper coaching, it became one of my favorite things and I’m thankful to be able to help other gals feel that way, too!
I love to use Kettlebells and bodyweight movements in my workouts. Pull-ups, push-ups, front squats, deadlifts, those are my jam; and I typically like to keep it short and sweet. I know y’all think because I work in a gym that I have 12 hours a day to work out – nope! ☺ I’ve grown to love the rower a bit more over time, so I’ll hop on for some short sprints to get my heart racing and lungs burning…..but I prefer my conditioning in the form of kettlebell swings and snatches!
• Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
• ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist Program
• StrongFirst Kettlebell Course
• TRX Qualified Group Training Course
For me, this has been a long time coming. Fitness has been a part of my life ever since I can remember. From playing every sport imaginable growing up, to playing on the soccer team at Fontbonne University, I was always a part of a team. After graduating, I went into education for five years and taught fifth grade. It was an awesome experience, but I always felt like something was missing. Like that wasn’t really where I was supposed to be. So I started up a bootcamp class through my church and realized that not only did I love helping people find joy through exercise, but I also found community is such a key factor for so many. When women are supporting women, we can do anything - even that last set of burpees!
I then became a mom and started staying home, and realized that it was time to pursue my dream. I’ve been wanting to become a certified personal trainer for the past few years, and my eyes were always focused on Dragonfly. It was my ideal spot. A gym fully devoted to women helping women, an environment that was healthy and judgment free, a place that shows that you can be fit at every size, age, and place in life, and that lifting weights is one of the most therapeutic things in this world. I was hooked.
After a few years of talking with Renah, life finally figured out its way for me to be here. Teaching, coaching, encouraging, and supporting women has been one of the greatest achievements in my life so far.
My absolute favorite workout, especially after having a baby and not having much time on my hands, is interval training. Bodyweight work, sprints, plyometrics - love it all. Give me 30 minutes and some Cardi B and we can GET IT DONE. 😉
• Certified Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
I grew up playing sports and I always enjoyed being very active. I liked it so much that I obtained my Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology. I worked for the SLMPD as their Wellness Coordinator and Physical Training Instructor for 10 years. After that, I decided to pursue a career in Sales, but continued to teach Group Exercise Classes in my neighborhood.
In 2021, with our two children grown and on their own, I retired from my Sales career. I saw that Dragonfly was looking for a coach, and I jumped at the chance to join the team. My husband and I live in the neighborhood, so I drove by it often and heard they do a great job there and I was curious about it. I was immediately impressed by the care, attention to detail and camaraderie.
Cardio was my thing for most of my life, but I have embraced the benefits of training with heavier weights. I love kettlebells, deadlifts and the TRX. Being in a room full of strong women while we all try to improve is a powerful feeling. We are all in this together. That’s the feeling I have at Dragonfly and I love it.
I just love being at Dragonfly Fitness! I'm a little shy at first, but I really love being around people. And if you've been around for a few years then you know how far I have come!
I stay pretty busy monitoring the situation around here during the day, but I get lots of pets and treats and downtime too! I also enjoy going for walks, riding in the car and hanging around the house. Everyone says I'm such a good boy. My mom has brought home several foster brothers and sisters for me over the years, and I have gotten along with them all. Some even stay. 🙂 Like my current brother Samson. Oh, and I love summer vacations and hope we can take another one soon (hint, hint). I've been to Wisconsin and Colorado (twice)!
My mom's friend Kelly rescued me from animal control in 2011 and I was taken to Five Acres Animal Shelter. I was really scared when that happened. The nice lady at Five Acres thought my mom would be a good foster for me, but my parents ended up adopting me instead. (Probably because I'm such a good boy.) I'm happy I get to spend lots of time at Dragonfly Fitness and I hope to meet you!