What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Sweets! I love ice cream, brownies, cookies, cake…I think all of my teeth are sweet teeth.
What is your astrological sign and do you fit the description?
My sign is Cancer, the crab. Yes, I do (for the most part) fit the description of using my “shell” as a tough exterior—I am very sensitive on the inside and will hide in my shell when I’m sad or hurt.
How many places have you lived and where?
New Orleans, LA
Jackson, MS
San Diego, CA
Little Rock, AR
Dallas, TX
Lawrence, KS
Most memorable vacation?
Going to China and walking along the Great Wall. It was incredible.
If you could have one super power what would it be and why?
To see the future. I don’t like surprises.
What makes you laugh?
A lot. I’m entertained pretty easily. Besides, laughing is good for your soul!
Favorite way to break a sweat?
Playing soccer outside.
Who inspires you and why?
My father. He is one of the most honest and hardest working men I know.
What do you like best about teaching BEYOND classes?
Seeing that look in someones eyes that they are focused, hungry for the workout, and that nothing is going to stop them from finishing.
What can we expect from your BEYOND Pedaling and BEYOND Pilates classes?
A pretty high intensity and motivating 50 minutes.
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
“Girl Like Me” by Miranda Lambert.
Favorite quote?
“Be on time, save your money, care about one another, love life, love people and have a desire to be somebody. All living is about love. Joy is in helping others.” - A centenarian’s rules of living
Favorite form of exercise?
Weight lifting.
Favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?
Time of day: dusk
Day of the week: Friday
Month of the year: October
What sound do you love?
The sound of my puppy snoring.
If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
It would be a 20s themed, Great Gatsby-style costume party for someone’s birthday or a holiday.
If you knew the world was ending in 2012, what would you do differently?
Work less and live a little more outside my comfort zone.
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Nelson Mandela.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
I would choose to witness the falling of the Berlin Wall. Such a powerful moment for so many people.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Speak Mandarin fluently.
If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
Rescuing all of the homeless and abused animals.
If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
Be an adrenaline junkie: sky dive, bungie jump, race fast cars, and all that crazy stuff!
If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
Lilly, after my great grandmother.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Get my car fixed.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Nancy Drew, she was awesome!
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
Eva Longoria.
What story does your family always tell about you?
The time I got lost in the Grand Canyon on my seventh birthday.
What do you miss most about being a kid?
Not caring what others thought.
Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
TBD.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Walked away from someone I love.
What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
Having my engagement called off.
What is your life goal?
To be the best Lauren McHenry I am capable of being.
What is your astrological sign and do you fit the description?
Virgo. Yes, cleaning out closets is my favorite past time.
If you were a fruit or vegetable, which one would you be and why?
An avocado, because I could live on them.
How many places have you lived and where?
Lots. Chicago, South Africa, Massachusetts, Colorado, New Orleans, but in Dallas for 13 years, I’m from here now!
Most memorable vacation?
Tanzania – the Serengeti.
Favorite way to de-stress?
A pedaling class with fantastic music that lets you forget the world for 50 minutes. And Tito’s, Tito’s also works well.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Lindt dark chocolate with sea salt.
If you could have one super power what would it be and why?
A beautiful singing voice. Mine is terrible.
What makes you laugh?
Friends who know me well enough to make jokes at my expense.
Favorite way to break a sweat?
Lying on the beach.
Who inspires you and why?
Creative people. Love art and design.
If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be and why?
The one that runs around in circles and gets crushed by an anvil dropping from the sky every episode.
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
Tennis, but I’m not as good as the amount of time I spend in tennis clothing would suggest.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Writing my own biography, and answering questions like this. But I love Elissa.
What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?
Saturday morning at the studio.
What’s your least favorite mode of transportation?
Public buses.
If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like & what would it be for?
40th birthday in Africa with all my buddies.
If you could choose anyone, who would you pick as your mentor?
Isabelle Allende, my favorite writer.
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
Seeing our great-great-great grandchildren, how they live, what they are like.
If you had to work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
A book.
If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
Learn to kite surf.
If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
K.C. It’s actually my initials and what I was called when I was little when there were too many Kerrys.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Not tell anyone!
If you could know the answer to any question, besides “What is the meaning of life?” what would it be?
The answer to my daughter’s question: Why did God invent mosquitos?
When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
Emails, voicemail, texts – I never catch up.
What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
There was an all-night movie marathon of Steel Magnolias, Terms of Endearment, and Beaches. Still recovering.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Morning sickness.
What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
Morning sickness.
What is your first memory of being really excited?
Being on a airplane, going somewhere!
What story does your family always tell about you?
When I decided to run away at age 13, I booked airfare to Australia and a hotel in Sydney. Got caught before I left fumbling around in my Dad’s office looking for my passport. Still haven’t been to Australia and would very much like to go.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
A lot. I did a lot growing up that got me in trouble.
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
Two paintings in New Orleans from an artist I had always admired.
When was the last time you were nervous?
I’m nervous now. My three year old won’t use the potty and I KNOW he has to go.
What is something you learned in the last week?
It takes 30 concrete trucks to pour a single foundation for one wind turbine.
At what age did you become an adult?
HA. Nice try.
What was the worst date you ever had?
I returned from a crazy business trip super-late, went out on the date, and fell asleep on him. I am now married to him.
Is a picture worth a thousand words? Elaborate.
Yes, love pictures that make you realize the earth is a really big place and you really aren’t all the important in the scheme of things.
The best part of waking up is?
COFFEE.
What is your life goal?
Do it all!
How many places have you lived and where?
I grew up in Dallas, lived in Austin for four years while I was in college at UT, and I have been back in Dallas for eight years. I also traveled abroad and lived in Seville, Spain for six months during my junior year in college.
What is your most memorable vacation?
My most memorable vacation would have to be my honeymoon. There is nothing better than getting away after the fun, yet craziness of wedding planning.
What is your favorite way to de-stress?
Without a doubt, my favorite way to de-stress is to put on my headphones and run the Katy Trail or White Rock Lake. There is nothing better than totally tuning out, being outside and getting in a good sweat.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Now that it is SUMMER, I would definitely say that my favorite guilty pleasure is sitting by the pool with some good, trashy gossip magazines. I love to read up on my closest friends. :) I think we are on a first name basis; although, they have NO idea who I am.
What makes you laugh?
Nothing makes me laugh more than the hilarious things my 16 Kindergarteners say. My family always tells me that I need to write down all of their quotes to make a book.
Why did you want to become a BEYOND trainer?
I have a passion for teaching Pilates and I’ve always loved indoor cycling. When I was approached to teach both at two amazing studios with the coolest, most welcoming people, it was an easy decision! From the minute I walked into BEYOND, I knew I had found a place where I would enjoy working and learning…all while having a great time!
How has the BEYOND workout changed your body?
BEYOND has the best classes with upbeat music, fun clients and instructors, and an energy that is electrifying and motivating. You can’t help but break a sweat, get in an awesome workout and define all those muscles from head to toe.
What do you like best about teaching classes?
Just like teaching Kindergarten, being able to see the change in people’s lives is the best part. And with Pilates and Pedaling, not only do you get to see a change mentally; you get to see a change physically.
What can we expect from your class?
I am pretty energetic. You would think that I might not be after six hours with 6 year-olds, but I hope that each client leaves my class feeling like they got a KILLER workout, but not feeling like they were “working out” while doing it.
Who inspires you and why?
I definitely have to say my mom! It sounds a little cliché and cheesy, but she is truly the kindest, most thoughtful, fun-loving and happiest person you will ever meet. If you know my mom, you know that she also LOVES holidays and makes each one so special and memorable.
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Chore or chores?! I am a HUGE neat freak and can’t stand when anything is out of place, but I also don’t like spending time on the dishes, laundry or making the bed. They all drive me crazy, but I can’t leave them undone.
What is your favorite time of the day/day of the week/month of the year?
I LOVE Saturday mornings during the school year and every morning during the summer! I am definitely a morning person, but I love nothing more than waking up early, making a cup of coffee, and just having a little alone time before the day really gets started. If I can also fit in a “TODAY Show” viewing, that is always an added bonus.
What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
This is a little embarrassing…I just watched “The Vow”—worst acting ever, but I cried my eyes out!
What do you miss most about being a kid?
Building tree forts with Christmas trees after the holiday or riding my bike around the neighborhood trying to get “lost.”
If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
When I was a little girl, I always wanted to be Mackenzie. If my sisters or I ever played house or school, which was often, I would always have that as my name. I have to say that I now love my name and wouldn’t change it.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
I can’t say that I am ever mistaken for a celebrity :), but if I could choose to be mistake for one, it would be Reese Witherspoon.
The best part of waking up is?
Starting a NEW day! No matter what happened yesterday, you get a fresh, new start.
Why did you want to become a BEYOND trainer?
Isn’t it obvious?! Everyone is so awesome and I’m fortunate to have a wonderful environment to grow and learn.
What can we expect from your class?
A calm voice, fun music and a good sweat. I like making people sweat and smile!
What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
Lately the Gotye song. Something about the beat is intoxicating.
What songs are included on the soundtrack of your life?
Anything by Dave Matthews. I think the first thing I bought with my own money was a Dave Matthews CD.
What is your astrological sign and do you fit the description?
Pisces. It’s uncanny. Especially this part: “Deeply empathetic, Pisces often exhibit a gentle, patient nature, but one that is in want of inspiration.”
How many places have you lived and where?
New Hampshire, Maine, Boston, Aix-en-Provence, France and Dallas.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Live Free or Die” — homage to my home state.
What’s your most memorable vacation?
My Pacific Northwest honeymoon with my husband. I’ve never been to that part of the world and it was amazing.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
Take a long vacation to Southeast Asia, Japan, China and Australia.
If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
A surprise birthday party with an amazing 70s/80s cover band and great food.
At what age did you become an adult?
I’ve always been an old soul, but the defining moment was when I was 22 and I had just finished college. I packed my life into my car and moved to Texas. Moving away from my family was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
What story does your family always tell about you?
I loved oysters and clams so much when I was two years old that I would reach for them over the table.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Really delicious thin crust cheese pizza. That was my favorite food when I was a child and still is.
What is something you learned in the past week?
St. Andre cheese tastes delicious but gives me a stomach ache :)
What was the last experience that made you a stronger person?
Working full time while in school.
Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
I did poorly on the LSAT when I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. I’m okay with it now.
What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
Everything makes me cry! Recently that P&G commercial about sports moms for the Olympics.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
Telekinesis so my house could clean itself.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A mom, wife, Pilates instructor and nutritionist.
If you could work on only one project for the next year, what would it be?
I would study nutrition under a naturalistic doctor.
Who inspires you and why?
My mother. Her quiet nature and patience camouflage her inner strength.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she is simply amazing.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
Lara Croft, Tomb Raider. She kicks ass!
If you were a fruit or vegetable, which one would you be and why?
A lemon. Versatile and loves the sunshine!
What is your favorite time of the day/day of the week/month of the year?
Friday morning, October and 7 a.m.
What’s your favorite way to de-stress?
Cooking, walking, Pilates, yoga.
Is a picture worth a thousand words?
No! I think people are defined by actions and words, not snapshots.
The best part of waking up is?
Watching my husband sleep and seeing my dog’s tail wagging over the edge of the bed.
What do you like best about teaching classes?
I love seeing people’s lives change before me. There is something so incredible about the BEYOND workout and knowing the impact that I am making during every class. A client thanked me recently for making her realize why she comes to my classes—to dig deeper, push harder and make the most of 50 minutes. It’s comments like this that make me LOVE this job.
What can we expect from your class?
Lots of energy and encouragement, kick a** music and tons of SWEAT!
What is your astrological sign/do you fit the description?
I’m a Taurus and have found more and more than I am a Taurus through and through—and proud to be one!
We are solid and persistent, just like the bull, and known for liking things to remain constant and unchanging. Anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am a huge creature of habit. Once I’ve nailed down my schedule, it’s hard for me to easily change it up. I love having a plan and sticking to it (which can drive my husband insane).
One of my biggest weaknesses as a Taurus, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing, is that I can be a bit stubborn. Keyword: a BIT. I always think I’m right (I guess it’s the lawyer in me), and it really takes showing me proof for me to believe that I’m wrong.
Some common Taurus strengths that personify me are dependable, persistent, loyal, patient and generous. When I set my heart to something, I’m all in…so watch out, BEYOND…I’m here to change your life!
Most memorable vacation?
This is such a hard question for me because I LIVE to travel, but two really stick out in my head. The first one was in 2007—my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time, and I traveled throughout South East Asia for 11 weeks, and it was truly incredible. We got to experience Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which is something everyone must go see, and we ended the trip in India, which was equally amazing. Trip #2 was last fall to celebrate being done with the bar exam. My husband and I went to South America and climbed Machu Picchu. We like adventure, if you can’t tell. If you’re dying to know more about these two trips, you can check out our blog here.
Favorite way to de-stress?
Sitting in my backyard with a glass of wine and a good book. Nothing beats it.
Favorite way to break a sweat?
I’ve fallen back in love with yoga recently. There’s something about the constant streaming sweat that makes my body feel alive. It heals mentally, physically and emotionally. I love it.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
I get told I look like Jennifer Garner A LOT. It’s gotten to the point where someone will start with, “You know what celebrity you look so much like?” and I’ll respond with “Jennifer Garner.” Bingo, that’s exactly who they were thinking of.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“…After all, seasons change. So do cities. People come into your life and people go. But it’s comforting to know the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you’re very lucky, a plane ride away…”
- Carrie, “Sex in the City”
This quote means so much to me because some of my best friends aren’t in Dallas, and I always know that if I need them or if they need me, it’s just a plane flight away.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I SO wish I could sing, but I don’t think even the best teacher could teach this girl how.
I am for sure one of the world’s worst singers…but I LOVE to sing! There is just something about belting out a song that makes me feel so good.
What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?
My wedding, New Years Eve 2009. It was one of the most amazing nights of my life, and not just because it was my wedding. We danced the night away. It’s a party that will go down in history books as one of the best.
What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or tear up?
“Downtown Abbey” - Season 2 Finale. If you haven’t seen it, stop what you’re doing and download it now. It’s incredible.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
Making it through law school and PASSING the Texas Bar Exam. There were a few weeks (months) that I really didn’t think I would make it through that test, but all my hard work and dedication paid off. Passing that beast is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.
The best part of waking up is?
Knowing that it’s a new day and a new me and getting to see my sweet pup, Stella, look up at me and yawn, letting me know it’s too early for her to get up. It melts my heart every morning.
What makes you laugh?
My children! Samantha, my 17-year-old daughter, Jake, my 14-year-old son, and EllieGrace, my 8-year-old little girl. Nothing can make me laugh and smile like them. Of course, nothing can make me cry, get frustrated or impatient like them either!
What is your favorite thing about being a BEYOND trainer?
The clients and the other teachers. I have truly met some of the most amazing people in the Pilates world. I love talking to other teachers who are as passionate about it as I am. I love teaching something new and seeing the client’s face when it “clicks.” The mind-body connection is there and they have it! Like riding a bike, they don’t forget that feeling and search for it every workout.
What’s your favorite way to break a sweat?
A tractor tire class! Pulling, pushing, flipping and throwing those things. My very favorite is a sledgehammer. Swing that thing with everything you got and smack that tire!
But if I could only do one thing, Pilates would be it!
What was your most memorable vacation?
When I was 10, we drove from OKC to California in a Griswald-esque stationwagon. I was with my two sisters and my brother, and we were so good! Not one, “Are we there yet?” or “She is touching me!” or, a favorite of my parents, “Sit back!” Apparently, I would have rather been the one driving.
On this trip, there was a visit to the emergency room for my mom in Flagstaff, AZ; a trip to the Grand Canyon where all I could think about was, “What if I accidentally jumped?”; and Disney World, where back in those days, there were coupons for everything—my dad constantly kept track of them for the six of us.
Definitely my most memorable vacation.
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
Peanut M&Ms. I can easily go through a 2lb. bag of those things. I put them in the freezer in hopes that it will keep me from eating them, but somehow, that’s as easy access as the countertop.
And then there are cupcakes. How could anyone possibly choose just one? I get four at a time and take one bite of each. Well, almost…one bite now, one bite in five minutes, and so on until all four are gone. No calories that way. Trust me, I’m a Pilates teacher.
What’s your favorite way to de-stress?
Floating. I don’t get to do it much, but when you are in a private pool of salt water, you are completely suspended in water. No gravity at all. No effort of any kind.
Also, I love complete silence for relaxation—no kids asking for mommy, no cell phone or computer, no music (after listening to it all day of teaching, I like the quiet!). Maybe a soft glow light, too.
Another hobby of mine: photography
What was your favorite food as a child?
I was not the typical kid. I ate everything. You put it in front of me and it was gone. My mom had a schedule for everything: she cooked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we had leftovers on Thursday, pizza on Friday, “scrounge” on Saturday and, my favorite, TV dinners (which we got to pick on Fridays…Grocery Day) while watching the Cowboys after church on Sunday.
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
Clothes, of course. I worked at Ralph Lauren when I was 16, and I was supposed to be saving money for college…but I spent it on clothes. Then I went to school and got a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design, thinking I was going to go to New York to become a famous designer.
It didn’t exactly work out that way, but I can sew, design, and make patterns for almost anything. I use that talent to make great costumes for my kids!
How many places have you lived?
I have had the most exciting life! I have lived in Texas and Oklahoma! Wow, I know you are so jealous. Ask me about it any time. I’d love to tell you all of my adventures.
Boomer Sooner!
What is your favorite quote?
“Be still and know I am God.”
What is one chore you absolutely hate doing?
Laundry!!! It’s never ending. You get caught up, you’re so proud of yourself, you think you can breath…and in one breath, the laundry room is full again! I really would love it if we could all go naked.
What is your least favorite form of transportation?
FLYING. You are locked in a little tube with a bunch of other people, floating miles above the earth with wings that don’t even flap like birds. I know it’s completely irrational, but still! Maybe it has something to do with my fear of being buried alive, because that’s completely rational.
What sound do you love?
Rain. I love to be out on the patio, curled up on the couch, or under a fluffy white down comforter in bed with the windows and doors open listening to the rain.
What celebrity do you get mistaken for?
Terri Hatcher or Courtney Cox. That makes me feel real good…I’m either a Desperate Housewife or a Cougar.
If you could throw a party, what would it be?
A cupcake tasting party, of course. My own version of wine tasting. Remember one of my guilty pleasures…
Which cartoon character would you be and why?
Well…I couldn’t decide, so I took a couple of online quizzes. Several came up with Tweety Bird:
“Everyone loves you. You would never intentionally hurt someone’s feelings. You are sensitive to what others say about you. You are witty, and calm most of the time.”
The other one was Superman:
“You are very reliable and will help out in times of need. You would lift Mt. Everest for a friend. Nothing to you is impossible, but you have a tough time keeping up with life.”
I think I am a mix of both.
Want to know more? Like Andrea Nicole on Facebook!
What is your life goal?
I want to live past 100 years of age. I want my future children and grandchildren to be proud of me and I want to inspire them. I want to have traveled the whole world with the love of my life and the friends I love. You can say my life goal is to live a long, happy life, to enjoy it, and to share it.
Why did you want to become a Beyond Pedaling trainer?
Beyond Pilates came highly recommended by a friend from California when I was getting ready to make my move to Dallas. After my first class with Bethany, I knew that I had found my go-to studio. Then I heard about their sister studio, Beyond Pedaling. Being an instructor with a background in mind-body fitness and indoor cycling, I was thrilled! It was after visiting Beyond Pedaling and taking Brandi’s class that I realized I wanted to be a part of this amazing team.
What can we expect from your classes?
Expect to be challenged, to sweat, and to smile while doing it! Whether you pedal to stay fit, to lose weight, or to reduce stress, my goal is to guide you through a challenging, fun and achievable ride that you can feel proud of accomplishing at the end of the day.
…And maybe one that you become slightly addicted to ;)
What’s your favorite way to de-stress?
By combining my two favorite workouts…Pedaling + Barre. Stay tuned!
What’s your favorite time of the year?
I was born and raised in Southern California, and we don’t really get the season changes…especially in September and October. So I’m always excited when I get to visit family in Oregon and Pittsburgh in the fall for the smell of football season in the air and to see the colors of the leaves change. I’m looking forward to football in Dallas…yay!!
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
The “Housewives” series on Bravo TV! Okay…pretty much anything on Bravo makes me happy.
What was your favorite food as a child?
My grandmother is from Costa Rica and everything she cooks is amazing. I ate up anything she put on my plate as a child, and still do!
The best part of waking up is?
It may sound cliché, but every morning I look forward to a new day of possibilities. Being new to Dallas, I try to meet someone new every day, check out a new store or cafe, or get outside and just enjoy the city.
Okay…having my Shiba Inu, Nika, look me in the face and kiss me is pretty awesome too!
Nika :)
What’s your most memorable vacation?
Camping in Yosemite is my favorite summer pastime. I’ve been to Yosemite several times; however, in 2010, I set my sights on hiking to the top of Half Dome. I completed the 16-mile hike in about 11 hours. It was such an exhilarating feeling being 9,000 feet above Yosemite Valley. I can’t wait to go back and do it again! Anyone in???
Half Dome…and me!
How many places have you lived and where?
I’ve lived in three places. I am originally from California and grew up there. I moved to Arizona when I went to college at ASU and lived there for four years. I moved to Texas when I auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and have been here ever since! Texas is home now; I think I’ve always been a Southern girl at heart.
Go Cowboys!
What story does your family always tell about you?
I was born on St. Patrick’s Day, so every year my mother tells me the same story. She says on the morning I was born, she looked out the window, saw a rainbow, and knew I would be born that day. She was also doing a Jane Fonda workout when she went into labor and almost named me Jane. Maybe that’s why I’m obsessed with fitness!
The best part of waking up is?
Whatever happened the day before doesn’t matter. It’s a new day and it’s what you make of it.
What’s your most memorable vacation?
It wasn’t a vacation, but I went to Peru on a medical mission last August. I went with a group of 15 people, all in the medical field, to a tiny village called Ayacucho. We did cases ranging from cleft palates, cleft lips, burns, tumors, and general surgery cases. it was the most amazing experience and it changed my life.
Peru
What do you miss about being a kid?
I miss not having a care in the world. Life is just so simple and trouble-free when you’re a kid and I think we take that for granted.
What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?
I’ve always been a talker. I went to a private school that was very strict and I would end up in trouble with a nun at least once a week for talking. Come to think of it, I got in trouble for talking in ballet class too.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to play the guitar and sing. I’d be a country singer.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
When I was little, I used to love that show “Out of This World” with the girl who had the dad that lived in outer space and she talked to him through a cube. Anyway, she was able to freeze time…I always thought that would be SO cool. You would be able to get so much stuff done and never be pressed for time!
What’s your favorite way to break a sweat?
I love any BEYOND workout of course. And I love to dance! I will dance anywhere, any time and any place.
What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?
I love to do anything on the water when I’m outside. I was on the wakeboarding team in college, so I always think that’s a fun time!
Or I’ll go to the gun range…
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
I absolutely hate cleaning. I swear it gives me anxiety! I can’t just focus on cleaning one thing at a time…I end up cleaning something half way and then going onto the next thing, so nothing gets completely done.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I have the worst sweet tooth ever! I absolutely love frozen yogurt and Twizzlers. It’s almost sick how much frozen yogurt I can eat. Sometimes I just want to eat it for every meal and skip actual food. Twizzlers are the best when I go to see a movie, but I usually end up eating all of them before the movie starts…
What’s your favorite way to de-stress?
My favorite way to de-stress is to break a sweat! I love to run outside. It’s mental therapy for me. I can let my mind go…I think, I pray or I just zone out.
What’s your favorite time of day?
I absolutely love sunset! I think it is the most peaceful, beautiful time of the day. It’s beautiful no matter where you are. I have a million pictures of them on my phone because I take them wherever I am. My screen saver on my phone is always a sunset. It makes me happy :)
Beautiful
What is your life goal?
A quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson sums this one up:
“Success: To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
Why did you want to become a Beyond Pedaling trainer?
As a client of Beyond Pilates, I have experienced first-hand how Pilates and Pedaling work together to create a fully fit and feeling-good body. I am so excited to bring the Pilates cues and thinking into the cycling studio. Also, I love the Keiser bikes and The Power Board, which have amazing potential for helping clients train harder and smarter so they get the results they want every time.
What do you like best about teaching classes?
Being able to see with my eyes how hard a client is working and the victory when they get through to the other side of an especially challenging stage of work.
What can we expect from your classes?
One thing is for sure: I will always have a plan! I think it is so important to create a road map for my clients so they know when to push themselves and when they will be able to back off and get recovery. If they never know how long an interval or series will last, they will always be saving themselves. I want my clients to know when they should go all out, how long it will last, and how they should feel in that moment. Every single class, my goal is for my clients to surprise themselves with how hard they worked and how great it felt.
What’s your favorite way to break a sweat?
On a bike, of course!
What’s your favorite way to de-stress?
Going on a hike in Colorado.
The best part of waking up is?
Large half-caff Americano from Drip Coffee! I love to go get my coffee and see all of my coffee shop friends.
If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
I’d be like the mom in The Incredibles, able to stretch my body into any shape necessary or reach all the way across the room and grab something. That way I could fly, float on water, and do all of those yoga poses that are so elusive to my tight body!
What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you tear up?
We Bought a Zoo. Who knew?
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
I have a list of guilty pleasures, but the strawberry muffins at Drip Coffee are at the top of my list. Skinny, salty fries from Cafe R+D (or anywhere…) come in second.
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
Maybe not mistaken for, but lately I’ve had several people tell me I look like the mom on “Modern Family,” Julie Bowen. I’ll take that one as long as I don’t get mistaken for acting like her!
I was once told I look like Julianne Moore. I can dream, can’t I?! Maybe I should go red…
What makes you laugh?
David Sedaris.
What was your favorite food when you were a child?
I was a true child of the 70s—Twinkies and Tang!
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?
Folding laundry.
What sound do you love?
Rain falling.
What’s your favorite time of the day/day of the week/month of the year?
I love fall—that first crisp day when the leaves are starting to change and the summer’s 100+ temperatures fade away.
What’s another one of your favorite quotes?
One I saw on a Beyond Pilates shirt and that is now on the wall at Beyond Pedaling:
“Once we accept our limits, we go Beyond them.” - Albert Einstein
If you could know the answer to any question besides “What is the meaning of life?” what would it be?
What is Heaven like? My boys ask me that all the time. I just read “Heaven is for Real.” I hope that kid is right!
When you have 30 minutes of free time, how do you pass the time?
I throw the ball with my puppy. She is a beautiful yellow lab named Bliss. She’ll be one on March 23!
What makes you laugh?
It’s more like what doesn’t make me laugh. I’m easily amused and have a funny way of smiling through most situations regardless if I’m nervous, scared, awkward or especially happy. I know there are serious situations in life, but I definitely live by the motto, “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out alive.”
Who inspires you and why?
I have two: my grandma and my mom. They are two tough ladies who have overcome some big obstacles. The most inspiring one they did together: my mom is 100% deaf, but if you were to meet her, you would never know. My grandma got her masters in speech therapy when my mom was a child and taught my mom very clear speech patterns. My mom is a master at reading lips. I don’t know any sign language, but I am fully capable at communicating every aspect of my life to my mom.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Not sure, but I do know that I don’t want to feel like I’m “grown up.” I want to keep the feeling that anything is possible no matter what stage of life I’m in. This makes me think about my grandma—she is 74 and still says she doesn’t know what she wants to be when she grows up.
What is your astrological sign and do you fit the description?
I’m a Sagittarius born on the cusp of being a Capricorn, and I believe I am the poster child of the description. I have a very adventurous, independent, spontaneous side that speaks heavily to my Sagittarius ways; but my Capricorn characteristics help keep me grounded and focused on my goals. I love the combo!
What’s your favorite way to break a sweat?
Obviously Pilates is on the list, but I definitely have a list. I love yoga (I’m Level 1 Baron Baptiste certified), running, CrossFit (when I get my competitive bug), dancing around my place as I blast music, and basically anything that gets me sweating.
Most memorable vacation?
I spent three weeks in Argentina—one week in the big city of Buenos Aires, one week in the country side in Mendoza, and then one week getting in touch with nature as we ice-trekked in the Patagonia. It was absolutely beautiful and life-changing. The trip was spiritually moving, mentally stimulating and emotionally breathtaking. Made me realize that some of the things I choose to worry about are just not that big of a deal.
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Everybody dies, but not everybody lives.” - Lil Wayne…which leads me to my next favorite quote, “Carpe Diem.”
What sound do you love?
The sound of the coffeemaker beeping that it’s ready. Music to the ears.
Favorite way to de-stress?
Spa days! My very first job was at a cosmetic store when I was in high school, and my first paycheck was spent in one day getting a mani/pedi and a facial. I was 16 and thought those 20 hours of work were well spent!
What is your life goal?
I’m a simple girl…I want the cutest laugh lines when I’m old and gray, no regrets when I think about my life, and the full experience of that crazy thing called love…
But this does makes me think of a funny quote my friend sent me:
At age 4 success is not peeing in your pants
At age 12 success is having friends
At age 16 success is having a drivers license
At age 20 success is having sex
At age 35 success is having money
At age 50 success if having money
At age 60 success if having sex
At age 70 success if having a drivers license
At age 75 success is having friends
At age 80 success is not peeing in your pants
