Andrea started teaching fitness when dance exercise music came from 33 RPM Records, and when ballet shoes were the only aerobics shoe of choice. Her first child was a tiny boutique gym where she taught indoor and outdoor bootcamp, heavy bag intervals, and PiYo classes to a community who had only previously known Jazzercize. She was the first collegiate obstacle course (OCR) racing coach in the nation coaching at, her second child, the only OCR gym in Oregon. After 40 years as a competitive athlete and fitness professional, with a master’s degree studying the science of motivation, she has designed a unique motivational, self-help program specifically for people who want to stay in the best shape of their life.

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I had anorexia for several years as a teen and continued with mental health issues that presented themselves through food and money disorders well into my adulthood. I found relief with exercise. I remember my first run when I was 13 years-old. I couldn’t make it around the track once. In my mid- 20’s I did not have money to fix my car so I sold it without considering how I’d get to work or school. So a generous friend loaned me his bike, a racing frame that I ended up using to commute every day for a year. At the same time, a member at the gym where I worked asked if I wanted to run with her. That was the start of my lifelong pursuit as a competitive age-group athlete. Since then, I have run hundreds of running events, duathlons, obstacle course races and even bodybuilding shows.

For 40 years fitness coaching was sometimes my real gig, sometimes my side gig, and during one three-year stretch, not much of a thought at all. During that not-a-thought at all times, in my early 40s, I remember wheel -barrowing a load of rock across the field of our farm that was so cumbersome I was going to either dump it or break my back. It was defining moment in my life when I declared I will never be that fragile again. I joined a gym, and have been 100% committed ever since. By my late 40s I was competing and winning against women in the 20s in the grueling race of obstacle course racing.

In my athletic endeavors I’ve broken several bones, torn several ligaments and separated tendons. But absolutely nothing stops me from exercising. In my mind, there is no injury worth staying in bed for. I believe exercise is absolutely the antidote to everything that ails us.

I believe

• I believe all bodies are different and respond to different strategies uniquely.

• I believe exercise is the gateway drug for everything that ails us.

• I believe challenging our physical limitations on a regular basis builds our mental toughness, which builds our confidence, which makes us better people.

• I believe conquering obstacles in the gym has a direct connection to conquering obstacles in real life.

• I believe our mental health is a priority.

• I believe most of us grossly underestimate our athletic abilities.

• I believe, we have potential to get in the best shape of our life as we age.

• I believe, in small, like-minded groups, with inspiring leadership, we can become people who accomplish impossible goals.