Sue

I’m a National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainer. I specialize in Functional Movement training, an approach that utilizes compound multi-joint movement to enhance strength and coordination. My professional certifications include NASM – OPT Training for Youth and Seniors, Integrated Stretching Specialist, AAHF - Cancer and the Older Adult, Pre- and Post-natal Training, Functional Movement Systems screening.

I love helping people who think they’ll never be fit again because they’ve had an injury, haven’t been active in a long time, or have had bad experiences in gyms or trainers. Motivated by my own experiences of injuries, surgeries and recovery, I’ve developed a specialty of helping people who want to gain strength, balance and mobility for lifetime strength and well-being. My experience is backed up my knowledge of adult development and aging so I’m comfortable working with clients who range from millennials to baby boomers, athletes to recent  physical therapy and graduates.

My clients get relief from old injuries and muscle imbalances by building core stability, strength and good movement habits. Although each person’s path and goals may vary, I infuse established science and functional training movements into each session. Most of my clients started working with me because they just wanted to move and feel better. Knowing that movement shapes not just our physicality but also our emotions and well-being, it’s natural for me to bring science, encouragement and humor to my sessions. By having a good connection with my clients, I can monitor appropriately, challenge safely, adapt sessions as needed, and believe it or not, make sessions enjoyable.

About me

In 2008, with various past experiences (among them operating sports camps, building custom cabinets and raising three kids), I knew I needed a new direction so I earned my personal trainer certification and started my path to becoming a personal trainer. This choice was rooted in having long-time knee pain after my first knee surgery when I didn’t know until much later that the surgery could have been avoided with proper exercise would have solved my knee problems. In later years it was hard for me to find a trainer who could help me workout without knee pain. Over time I learned how to work out pain-free which led me to share my knowledge with others who could benefit from it.  I was hooked- I found that helping people regain their physical competence was the job for me!

Personally,

I was born and raised a baseball fan in the DMV, so I root for the underdog and always push forward through adversity.

I serendipity so I say yes to opportunities that arise.

I love to be busy and play anything that involves throwing things but I’m also normal so I love down time, reading, doing puzzles and eating chocolate.

Education

B.A. University of Wisconsin, Madison

M.A. Adult Development and Aging, Antioch College