I was born in St. Louis, MO. It was a great place to grow up, but I think my life became most crytalized when I came to NYC for graduate school (I got my Masters in Physical Therapy). I moved back to St. Louis and practiced PT for 6 years, but grew VERY bored with the midwest and disillusioned by working within the health care industry (I really just felt unable to truly help people in the face of all of the red-tape and being told by insurance companies how I should treat my patients). I gave up a lot to move back to NYC, but the bug had bitten and I felt I would really thrive in the urban environment. I was right. As soon as I got back here, I started working in a health club atop the Marriot Hotel right in between the World Trade Center buildings. I didn't find it challenging there, and I started working for Equinox Fitness Clubs just before September 11th, 2001. It was a fateful decision. I quickly reached the top-tier of training at Equinox and took over as PT Manager when the previous manager quit (on her recommendation). Equinox did give me some of the tools I needed to succeed in the fitness industry, but I believe that a lot of those tools come from the inside. I've always had a passion for helping people feel better about themselves. I never consider working with my clients (or patients before) "work". To me, a job behind a desk is like a punishment. I love to be face-to-face with another human being, learning about them and their lives, what makes them tick, and what I can do to help them to overcome hurdles in their lives and be the best that they can be.

My studio will gross $150,000 in the 6 months beginning Sept. 1, 2006. This is a 50% increase over the previous 6 months. At the end of this period, March 1, 2007, my studio will have $40,000 in the bank as the beginning of my preparations for the challenge of a potential landlord-mandated move at the end of 2007.

My biggest contribution to the group is that I've reached the point in my career where I've worked the scope of the field. I started as a club trainer (and moved into management), went out on my own as an independent and finally opened my own fitness studio. Because of this, I've been in the shoes (at least categorically) of everybody in the group and can share my experiences (positive and negative) of each as well as my experience of that evolution. On that path, I've made some good choices and some that were not, but all of them can be instructional.

There are those in the group that can help me become a better business owner from an operational standpoint. I had a lot to learn in this area, having just opened my studio this year. Others, I feel, are excellent at marketing and pr and can help me in this very important area in which I feel I am far from expert.

A year ago I was working as an independent trainer, having left Equinox the year before. I had a busy schedule seeing clients, but didn't have any other responsibilities, but also didn't have any other means income. Now, having opened my own studio this year, I am much busier and much more challenged (for better and worse). I don't see as many clients personally, but manage others. In this way, I am able to expand my reach, as was always my goal, and help a greater number of people reach theirs. In doing so, I can also do better financially by building my business than I could by building my own clientele.