Meet The Team

I have been a personal trainer for over a decade. I am also a grandmother and caretaker for a non-verbal, low functioning autistic boy. My dream was to join our two worlds together where my skills and experience can benefit not only my able-bodied clients but also people with disabilities--a new kind of gym.  Everyone, regardless of ability, benefits from a healthy lifestyle.

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I am so proud to have created this inclusive space for community, instructors and staff to come together.

I have been working in the physical education field for over 25 years. 10 of those years have been in adaptive physical education (DAPE). I currently work for St. Paul Public Schools in DAPE and adaptive aquatics. I am passionate about working with individuals who are energetic, like to have fun, enjoy learning new lifetime fitness skills and have an "I CAN" attitude! I look forward to instructing ball drumming in an inclusive group fitness setting within the St. Paul community. While using upbeat music, drummers will practice their rhythm, coordination, and skill sequencing. Drumming may help participants learn to keep a steady beat, build body awareness, and spatial concepts (up/down, high/low, left/right). Crossing the midline of our body strengthens brain connections (like in reading and writing) and builds whole body fitness. It's a great way to relieve stress and get a mental health boost!

Being an OULA instructor has been amazing. I not only get to experience the benefits of OULA for myself, but I get to bring those benefits and experiences to the people I teach while connecting with new and unique people with all abilities. 

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When you come to my Oula class, we will work out together listening to some great music while feeling free to let our bodies and emotions help guide us. We will give space for each other to find their own way in the movements that feel right, whether it is what I am doing in front of the class, or whatever moves your body wants you to do! Not all moves work for everyone, so you do what works for you!

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I am dedicated to making sound healing accessible and approachable for everyone.

I was introduced to Sound Bathing originally when it was introduced to my son who has Autism. Several years later I found it again for myself as a way to de-stress and feel more grounded. It was then that I realized that I wanted to share the experience and help others experience the healing of sound and intention.

The sound baths are designed to help participants unwind, regulate, and relax at the end of the week through sound and gentle movement in a calm nurturing environment. 

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Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and bring anything that supports their sense of safety and comfort, such as a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, and/or a pillow. 

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The intention of these sessions is to help people release the stress of the week and feel more grounded and settled in their bodies as they experience sound in a soothing and accessible way. In my class, I want to help people build a consistent sense of comfort, routine and emotional safety.

I met Tami when I joined her gym and she became my personal trainer. Her energy and commitment to making the world a better place cemented our friendship and drew me into volunteering with Ryley's World. She asked me to join the Board as the Treasurer based on my background in banking. After several months of working with the board, I found myself accepting an offer from Tami and the  rest of the Board to become the Executive Director. 

While I had previously been a Branch Manager/Branch Operations in a bank, I have found that many of my strengths have transferred. My willingness to do what has to be done, to be proactive in learning what I don't know, but need to, and finding value in everyone I meet. As the daughter of a single mom, I learned to be frugal. I am also a proud Auntie/Godmother of an amazingly bright, kind and funny nephew with autism. My older sister  was incredibly committed to help him become his best self and that's how I learned what outreach and early intervention means.

I am excited to be on my new path and look forward to being a part of such a meaningful journey for years to come!

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