A b o u t   M e

As a teenager I had become quite overweight. I came by it naturally--just going to a family reunion at my paternal grandmothers was proof. But it was accentuated by my lack of exercise and total lack of respect for my diet.

When 17 I looked in the mirror and didn't like what I saw: a fat, acne-faced kid with thick glasses. Buying contact lenses was the easy part. Working with a dermatologist took determination. Forcing myself to take up jogging felt like it was going to kill me. But by the time I hit 20 I was slim--actually skinny--and my skin had thankfully cleared.

It wasn't just the jogging that made the difference: I'd also become very conscious of my diet, something I maintain (aside from a weakness for chocolate!) to this day.

In 1997 I had become an aerobics junkie, taking as many as 7 classes a week. Others in the classes as well as some of the instructors suggested I should become an instructor. I took the courses and soon found myself in front of a step aerobics class. From there it was an easy step to also take weight training and bodyball courses.

Today I teach step aerobics regularly at a local fitness club and privately provide fitness instruction for clients. Because of my own history I can relate to almost any client situation. In fact, if you've had to deal with injury I can relate there too: I had to go through rehabilitation therapy after an automobile struck me in a crosswalk, and when I first was able to exercise again I had to use 2 lb. weights because anything else was too heavy!

My current personal stats: I'm 6 feet (182 cm) tall, weigh approximately 190 pounds (86 kg) with a 31 inch (78 cm) waist and 42 inch (106 cm) chest. My build is not that of a bodybuilder but more along the lines of a gymnast.