Muscles.

 

It started with Lou Ferrigno as The Incredible Hulk in 1977. He was one of my first crushes. I was eight. Whenever sad, lonely David Banner got angry and busted through his flannel shirt I swooned. When Lou Ferrigno came to the car show at the Philadelphia Civic Center, I got my mom to take me and waited in line for his autograph. He signed "Lou Ferr" in my Snoopy autograph book with a green felt-tip pen—GENIUS. I was enthralled. 

 

In the 80s I had a Joe Weider bodybuilding book with Rachel McLish on the cover. I worshipped her greased physique and tried the tips and routines detailed inside but I didn't have enough equipment and basically had no idea what I was doing. After Rachel, I girl-crushed hard on Madonna with her amazing delts and dance moves. I will always have a soft spot for Madge. 

 

In my twenties it was onto jogging and trying to be model thin. Running felt like a punishment and soon I found yoga, which took 90 minutes and left my back chronically sore. After a lackluster tour through physical therapy, chiropractic and acupuncture, a sports doctor urged me to "Strengthen, strengthen, strengthen." Literally, those were his words, and they changed my life. 

 

In 2012 I tried kettlebell training. Memories of the Hulk and Rachel McLish resurfaced, gasping for breath, thankful to be alive. I haven't looked back since.

​

Qualifications:

​

• ACE-Certified Personal Trainer since 2013

• RKC Certified Instructor

• StrongFirst Levels 1 and 2 Kettlebell Instructor

• Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach

• Ground Force Method Level 1

• TRX-Qualified

• CPR/AED

​

Fun facts:

I've published two novels, this popular no-bullshit fitness article, and have a background in film, acting, interior design and visual arts. 

​

Numbers stuff:

Born in '69, (still) married since '95, have 2 kids and 2 tiny rescue dogs. 

​

Photography:

Brae Howard Photography

​