Since 1992 Michelle has worked in the health and fitness industry as a fitness instructor, dancer, wellness coach, personal trainer and athlete.
Her certifications include: Pilates, TRX, Bootcamp, Senior Fitness, Zumba, Sports Nutrition, Personal training, Paddlefit (SUP fitness), Hot Hula and more. She also has taught Yoga and SUP Yoga since 2006. Michelle strives to have a new Certification every year. I love ongoing education and trying EVERYTHING in the fitness world.
Michelle is Married and a mother of 5 kids and owns and operate 2 businesses.
Now from Michelle:
I love the life I have while I am creating the life of my dreams. I'd love to tell you a little about me.
Me in 1993-1995: I was an athlete. I played community sports, (basketball, soccer, volleyball). I was a dancer and took dance classes 8 hours a day, 5 days a week! I was training for the LA Marathon in 1995. I worked in the gym as a fitness instructor. I took fitness, dance and nutrition courses at college. I was a personal trainer helping others get fit. I had that hard 6 pack abs and great body and was super fit. I could do anything! Right?
Enter me in 2001 (ish) to 2008... something happened!
Where did I go? In 2008 I found myself at 200 pounds, hiding in a closet crying and eating a package of Oreos all by myself (a lot of different occassions). I was hiding cookies and eating alone - a LOT. I was depressed. I passed out walking HALF A BLOCK from my house! I didn't want to live. I often thought about driving away and never returning to my sweet family or just disappearing from this world. I had 5 kids and I was... gone...
One dark day, in the spring of 2008, after I had passed out going for a VERY SHORT walk, I found myself on my knees asking God to help me. I could not live like this and I needed to change.
The answer that came to my mind was very clear.
"Michelle, Get up. Get moving. Get others to do the same. Study the words I have given you to live by that teach you how to eat. (I love those Words of Wisdom). Go see the sun rise. and teach the world to do the same."
And that's how it started...
I began slowly. I could only walk a few minutes at a time. But I took my dogs out to the hills and let them run loose while a slowly walked and watched the sunrise. I had to sit often in order to catch my breath just from those short walks. Then I added little spurts of jogging. Those spurts grew into longer bursts. Then I started dancing in my living room with my kids. I changed how I ate. I got rid of refined sugars and processed foods in my home. I started following a clean eating lifestyle. Pretty soon, I began my Bootcamp business, hired a couple of trainers and whipped my own butt into shape with their help. For my 40th birthday I ran the St. George Marathon. Who knew I had been unable to even walk a block just a few years before?
I went from depressed and overweight to excited and full of life! My family changed too! Because of dietary changes I saw MAJOR changes in behavior and focus from my kids who all have a myriad of ... challenges including personality disorders and autism spectrum. My depression became almost non-existent!
My mission is now to bring this to the rest of the world!
I did go from 200 pounds to 130 and then back to a very healthy 150 (with muscle and strength!). I no longer focus on what the scale says, but how I feel and my energy levels and love of life. I hope that same thing for everyone. I created Phazes, not as a weight loss plan, but as a way of bringing the community of wellness to YOU! Wellness is more than physical, it's very spiritual, emotional, and mental. I am bringing all that I have learned and taught over the years and making it more accessible to YOU. Come join us on this amazing journey to love life and live it to the fullest!
I hope you enjoy your journey!
- Michelle
- me clowning around...
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