1. Tell us about yourself:

I have been in the Sports and Fitness industry for over 20 years. However, that time has not been consecutive in that I took a long hiatus while I tried to "find" myself when I was younger. During some of that hiatus, I chased my professional acting career for 7 years and although I was 'unsuccessful' financially speaking, I learned a great deal about myself, people and life that to this day has helped me to become a more well-rounded personal trainer.

My undergraduate degrees are in Communications/TV Production and Fine Arts/Drama, and although they are what I degreed in, my passion has always been sports and athletic development, and that all started at an early age as a kid who loved to play any sport I could. Realizing I was not the most gifted at sports due to how competitive sports was in my day (and still is and is probably even worse thanks to my generation) my overactive enthusiasm to be involved in sports was not deterred when I could not make the team. I got involved in any capacity I could which eventually lead me to volunteering as a student athletic trainer all throughout high school and college and then as a paid Athletic Trainer and Conditioning Coach for a Semi-Pro football team in NJ, where I have lived my entire life. I knew I should have majored in Athletic Training in college, but something inside me called me even more, as crazy as that sounds. I always wanted to be an actor, as far back as I can remember, so I decided to give up all my endeavors in athletic training and try my hand in the world of professional acting. When that didn't work out, I knew I had to get back to my 'roots' and since I could not afford to go back to college I decided to become a personal trainer and use all that earlier experience as a spring board combined with my passion to help people which enabled me to do something rewarding with my life. Twelve years has gone by since I made that decision and although I miss being up on stage I do not regret my decision to forge a career in health and fitness. In fact, I am very proud of my achievements since that time as I have worked with people from all walks of life and helped them achieve better health. But I realized something during my career and that is for me there is NOTHING MORE REWARDING than working with kids as I have ALWAYS been extremely passionate about children.

Throughout my adult life, I have always known that my GREATEST gift is my LOVE for kids, whether that be playing with them, talking to them, mentoring them or trying to help them with their athleticism. So for me, it made sense to get involved in a career where I could put that passion to good use. My one regret? Not having someone "like me" to train me when I was a kid because if I did, then maybe I'd be the professional athlete I always told my mom I wanted to be when I was little. So, that inspires me to help kids be the best they can be and never give up!

2. How has being a member of the IYCA impacted you and your career?

Being a member of the IYCA has impacted me in many ways. Let me start by using a blurb I wrote on the IYCA Forum that I think sums up this question succinctly (I edited it slightly to fit the question better):

'It's not the certification, or should I say the piece of paper they provide me with so I can say I'm "certified" as a Youth Fitness Coach that is important, but the ongoing ability to learn about WHAT is needed to be not only a "certified" youth coach, but a successful trainer in business as well as in the training trenches. The members who regularly contribute on the forum boards have become like an extended family of sorts for me and allow me to explore topics that I would not know where else to go to get information, guidance, or support. Having a piece of paper to hang on the wall is nice, but having a "family" to support me and help me and guide me and encourage me is WAY more important than the piece of paper that hangs in my gym. That piece of paper stands for something FAR more important...I know that I'm not alone anymore on an island trying to figure it all out by myself. All these benefits concomitantly make up what being certified by the IYCA is all about. That is as the commercial for MasterCard says is "PRICELESS".'

What is the biggest impact the IYCA has had would be an even better question. For me, this is a personal story that I truly believe is the biggest reason for my involvement with the IYCA that made me realize these people truly care. I have always been passionate where youth athletic development is concerned and when I learned that Brian had started the IYCA and was going to have the first ever certification process in Chicago I just had to check it out. Read on…

I will never forget the day I met Brian Grasso, Kwame Brown and Pat Rigsby personally. After a tragedy struck my family in February 08, I could not attend the scheduled seminar in Chicago. When I contacted Pat and told him my dilemma, he made every effort to either refund my money or give me the option of attending a private IYCA cert process in April at a big box gym in NYC, not far from my home in NJ. He told me that he spoke to Brian and there would be no problem with this. Thankful for this opportunity, I attended the seminar in NYC and met Brian and Pat, and that day changed my life forever. Being able to personally shake Pat and Brian's hands and thank them for their understanding and care, and then seeing Brian and Kwame's passion who shared the same belief that I have always subscribed to, that kids need skilled and caring professionals to help them with their athletic endeavors as well as their overall health, made a very indelible imprint on my life. I knew right then and there that I had to be a part of this awesome organization that was not only going to teach me a certification but stand behind me, encourage me, support me, guide me and help me to help kids more proficiently. For me, that is a day I will never forget and I can't thank Brian and all his supporting cast enough for starting this great organization as well as for the care and support they showed me in the face of adversity. I am truly excited and honored to be a member of the IYCA. I know that with them on my side, great things will come.

3. What is your biggest tip for your fellow IYCA Members?

I actually have 3 tips:

1. Never stop learning, no matter how old you are. I am currently pursuing my Masters Degree in Human Movement and Exercise Science with an emphasis on Sports Conditioning through A.T. Still University and I can honestly say it has really helped me a lot. I love to learn and this program keeps me connected with so many of the new and exciting things going on in the fitness industry as well as teaching me the science behind so many of the things we take for granted with respect to human movement. Whether its higher learning or reading articles or books, or attending seminars, certifications, or just listening to your friends, family, kids or clients, don't ever stop the learning process. The minute you stop learning is the day you stop living. I tell my friends, family and clients, that I'm a student for life!

2. Always be true to yourself and do what it is that your heart tells you. When my acting career faltered, I always knew that I belonged working in some capacity with kids so instead of going the conventional route of getting a "j-o-b" I decided to become a personal trainer so I could help both kids (and adults) be the best they could be. I ignored that passion for a while and fortunately I found my way back to what has always made me happy, playing/working with kids.

3. My final tip is a quote from Zig Ziglar that I think we could all learn from and apply to our lives and business: "You don't build a business--you build people--and then people build the business." What I have learned from that powerful quote is if you want to truly be successful, you need to touch as many people as you can and make a difference with what you do. If you do this, you won't just build a business, you'll leave a legacy. That is what the IYCA is doing and I am so honored to be a part of that.

I am proud to be a member of the IYCA and I truly appreciate and thank you for honoring me.

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