Everything in this world grows towards light. For me, that light was my grandfather. He was the one who taught me virtues and strengths, who showed me how to stand up to anything that threatened to hold me back in this life—from my abusive father to bullies at school.

At sixteen, I came home to the news that my grandpa had passed away. While he took good care of me, he didn’t take care of himself, and it was a heart condition that eventually took his life. It shattered me. I headed to New York City to seek a new light, a brighter future as a fitness model, only to find door after door close in my face.

I slept on trains and gym floors. Every day I turned lights on and off, pushed doors open and closed, until different kinds of door started opening for me. It’s this persistence, this readiness to get up from every low I’ve been knocked down to that has gotten me where I’ve needed to go in life. It’s going to get you there, too. 

If there’s one thing I know, it’s that life doesn’t treat any body equally. After over two decades in the industry, I’ve seen it all, done it all, and heard it all. There are myriad ways in which we can let our setbacks in life define us, hundreds of conditions that can impact your mind, body, and soul in different ways. When you train with me, I make sure they don’t.

Whether you’re suffering from a chronic illness or a later diagnosis, a childhood injury or a genetic condition, I’ve perfected a formula adaptable to each unique requirement, each unique goal, each unique person that crosses my path. I take into account new and existing afflictions, your age, lifestyle, height and weight, as well as the timeframe in which you want to achieve your goals, and I make damn sure we achieve them together. 

One of the most important things I use to ensure my clients reach their goals is nutrition. For many of us, we either assume we know enough about what we put into our bodies, or willfully ignore the ways in which nutrition can impact our energy levels, mood, and health. These days, I’m shocked at what the food industry allows us to take off shelves and put into our mouths, and I’m passionate about improving digestion, gut health, and nutritional awareness in order to combat even the most complex diseases.

It’s in honor of my grandfather that I’ve committed myself to seeking expert knowledge in nutrition, fitness, and mental health, so that I can be a source of light for my clients. I’m taking care of what he couldn’t. Getting to where you want to go is going to take uniquely tailored meal plans, a daily schedule of exercise and wellness, and a whole lot of sweat. More than anything, though, it’s going to take persistence. 

I’m ready when you are.