Education, Training & Experience

My Education & Training

If there’s one thing I love, it’s learning. If there’s something to read, to listen to, to view or digest in a format related to health and wellness, to mindfulness and motherhood, you can be certain that it’s on my night stand, in my browser or the podcast queue.

Education:

Boston College, Bachelor of Arts: English & Theatre Arts, May 2002

Shoreline Community College, Associates in Applied Arts & Science: Nursing, December 2011

Licensure:

Registered Nurse, Washington State Department of Health, January 2012, License # 60257242, Retired

Health Coaching Credentials:

Mindbodygreen Certified Health and Wellness Coach, 2023

NBC-HWC (National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach), April 2024

Pre & Postnatal Fitness Education Certificates:

Certified Prenatal & Postpartum Exercise Specialist: American Fitness Professionals & Associates, 2014

Get Fit For Birth Corrective Exercise Specialist, 2015

“Care of the Pregnant Patient”, Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, March 2015

Childbirth & Postpartum Professional’s Association (CAPPA),Ā Certified Pregnancy Fitness Educator, July 2016

Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Design, 2018

Holistic Fertility & Pregnancy Safe Licensed Coach, Fit for Birth Inc., October 2020–present

Pre & Postnatal Fitness Continuing Education:

Diastasis & Core Consultant Course, Fit for Birth Inc., October 2024 (In progress, pending completion)

Prenatal Wellness Course, Fit for Birth Inc., October 2024

Core Breathing Belly Pump Course, Fit for Birth Inc., October 2024 (In progress, pending completion)

Evidence Based Birth Professional Membership, 2018-2019

“Moms Gone Strong” Pre & Postnatal Education, April 2017

Prenatal and Postpartum Exercise Design, 2017

“Diastasis Detective: Solving the Mystery of Fixing Abdominal Separation”, 2017

The Integrative Women’s Health Institute, Beta Tester for Preconception Detoxification and Nourishment Program, Fall 2016

Mutu System Total Body Confidence Program, January 2015

Health & Wellness Related Professional Experience:

Mindbodygreen Certified Health and Wellness Coach, 2023

Fit for Birth Inc., Account Manager, 2020

Owner, Bodies for Birthā„¢, 2014-present

Registered Nurse, University of Washington Medical Center: Rehabilitation Medicine, 2012-2014

Health Screener, ADURO: Corporate Wellness, 2012

Health Coach, ADURO: Corporate Wellness, 2012

Certified Personal Trainer, F-Max Fitness, 2003-2004

Personal Chef, Self-employed: Private clients, 2003-2004

Media Coverage:

ā€œNew Dayā€ on King5, KONG, Seattle, August 2015: ā€œGet Fit: Prenatal workout for moms-to-be

Seattle Magazine, October 2015: “No Time Like the Pregnant”

Seattle Times, July 2016: “Working out has huge benefits for pregnant women and their babies.”

The New York Times, November 2024: “Pregnancy Is an Endurance Test. Why Not Train for It?”

Publications:

Mother.ly; “What every mama should know about healing her postpartum core

Mother.ly; “5 ways to prepare your body for labor–from strength training to meditation

Mother.ly; “Simple breathing exercises to prepare your body for labor & delivery

DoulaSpot; ā€œBenefits of Exercising During Pregnancy

Collective Alchemy & The Calm Edge; ā€œTen Essentials for Entrepreneurial Success

Care, Four Pregnancy Exercises you can do at Home

Science & Sensibility, “A Research Review–Exercise in Pregnancy: An Association with Placental Weight?”

As Contributor to Publications:

Aaptiv.com; “Is it Safe to Practice Interval Training While Pregnant?

Aaptiv.com; “How to Best Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

Aaptiv.com; “How to Deal With Exercise-Induced Braxton Hicks Contractions

Huffington Post, Contributor

Public Speaking Events:

Parent Trust for Washington Children: Great Starts Birth Classes; ā€œCore & Pelvic Floor: Itā€™s all Relatedā€

Babies ā€˜R US: Parent Education Series; ā€œNew Baby, New Mommy: Diapering, Bathing, Bonding & Self Care”

2nd Time Moms: “Postpartum Return to Exercise & Common Concerns in the Early Days”

Health & Wellness Related Volunteer Experience:

Parent Trust for Washington Children: Penny Simkin Childbirth Preparation Classes:  Birth Assistant, 2015

WIC: Women, Infants & Children, 2009

Community Education for Breast Cancer Awareness & Prevention, 2011

University of Washington Medical Center, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, 2009-2010

University of Washington Medical Center, 4NE: Medical & Surgicalā€”Neurology & Otolaryngology, 2009-2010

Professional & Academic Honors:

Professional: Bodies for Birth
2015 Seattle Award in the Physical Fitness Program category by the Seattle Award Program

2016 Seattle Award in the Physical Fitness Program category by the Seattle Award Program

2016 Seattle Award in the Trainers category by the Seattle Award Program

Academic:
Vice President/Deanā€™s List 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
Presidentā€™s List 2008
Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2006-2011