Meet Leah!
I am super excited to introduce the new newest addition to our coaching crew at Studio ME Fitness. Leah came to us from Seattle and has a ton of experience in the group fitness and personal training world. She fits in perfectly with our mission and values at Studio ME which is why I am so excited to have her join our team.
Now, let’s get to know her a bit!
Tell us a little about how fitness has played a role in your life?
As a kid, I was lucky enough to grow up in the small town of Winthrop, Washington. Winthrop is a recreation hub for cross country skiing, running, biking, hiking, and all sorts of other outdoor activities. Since there are also only about 400 residents, there wasn't much else to do but get outside and be active. I also grew up playing volleyball year round and in college, began distance running and taking spin classes. Unfortunately, within my first year of running I wound up with a stress fracture in my foot due to overuse. This experience taught me the importance of lifting weights and finding a healthy balance between exercise, nutrition, and rest. This experience fueled my passion for helping others with their health and fitness journey and I haven't looked back!
How did you get started in the fitness Industry? What’s your background?
After graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Recreation, I headed to Jackson Hole, WY to live the ski bum life. Once that was out of my system, I decided to continue on my path towards helping others improve their quality of life through activity. I began personal training at a general health club and after a year, transitioned into corporate wellness where I did a little bit of everything: personal training, group exercise, and wellness programming. My position in corporate wellness landed me at Starbucks HQ where I enjoyed LOTS of coffee and worked with a very fun and active population. Most recently, I was able to gain more experience as a team leader when I was hired as the Assistant General Manager at Flow Fitness, a multi studio boutique gym in Seattle.
What made you want to become an instructor at Studio ME?
In September, I moved from Seattle and my first group exercise class I took in Minneapolis was RowSTRONG at Studio ME. I immediately loved the gym atmosphere, awesome community, and of course, the classes. I'm so excited to be teaching again and can't wait to get to know everybody better!
What is a fun fact about yourself that none of the members know?
My long term career goal is to be an Occupational Therapist. I am currently in the process of applying to the University of Minnesota and St. Kate's. Crossing my fingers to begin early next summer! When I'm not teaching or taking class, you can find me nannying for 2 hilarious kiddos, planning my wedding with my fiance, Joe, or taking care of my adorable black lab/shepherd pooch, Captain.
