Meet Your Trainer
Hi, I'm Chantel, your Certified Personal Trainer, and I'm thrilled to have you here. Let me take you on a journey through my past experiences and how they've shaped my passion for health and fitness.
About Me
From a young age, fitness has been a central part of my life. I began my journey with gymnastics and dance at the age of three, eventually transitioning into solely dance as I couldn’t keep up with both sports at the same time. Throughout my dance training, I immersed myself in various dance styles, including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and lyrical, honing my skills and discipline through consistent practice and performance. I attended many ballet summer intensives and even went to a ballet conservatory over the summer before middle school, which was an audition only basis. Later on I participate in high school cheerleading and gymnastics. I also went on to do one year of college-level cheerleading.
After my first year in college, I pursued my passion for the performing arts by attending The Young Americans College of Performing Arts which I had auditioned to join the prior year during my attendance at Dance Excellence in California. Dance Excellence was a dance intensive where dance studios from all over the world come together do dance with master teachers like Mia Micheals from So You Think You Can Dance. Dancers from So You Think You Can Dance were also among us dancers helping with demonstrations during the intensive. Each studio would perform during the performance boards pieces that we rehearsed prior to the intensive. It was an amazing experience to meet dancers from all over the world. At my second attendance of this intensive is when I auditioned to be part of the Young Americans Performing Arts College.
During my time in the Young Americans Performing Arts College, I embarked on two Midwest tours, teaching and inspiring young performers across the country. During my time with The Young Americans, I had the incredible opportunity to teach and inspire over 1,000 students in various public schools across the country. I led intensive workshops, preparing students with little to no prior experience for performance shows in just three days. This involved teaching dances and songs at a fast pace, fostering a safe and effective learning environment for students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Utilizing a range of teaching strategies, including games to maintain focus, visual aids, and kinesthetic learning techniques, I aimed to instill confidence and foster learning through music and dance outreach programs.
Auditioning for the tour required rigorous preparation, including studying subjects such as child psychology, music theory, musical theatre, performance, and improv. Additionally, I participated in local workshops and community outreach programs, including working with incarcerated youth to help them build self-confidence through dance and music. On tour, we performed the first half of our show, which we rehearsed in advance, and I had the privilege of being one of the main dancers, showcasing my talent in several pieces. Our goal was to empower students to step out of their comfort zones, discover their potential, and develop a love for the performing arts.
Throughout our travels to over 22 states, I had the opportunity to work with over 1,000 individuals, each leaving a lasting impact on me as an educator and performer. Additionally, I had the amazing opportunity to stay with many families all over the country, whom we called "home stays." These families graciously opened their homes to us while we were in their town for a few days, providing us with a warm and welcoming environment. These homes belonged to the families of kids participating in the workshops, giving us a deeper connection to the communities we visited.
As part of a cast of about 40 people, including primary dancers, singers, and the sound and stage managers, I contributed to conducting the workshops and facilitating the learning process. While I primarily focused on my role as a dancer, I also assisted in the workshops, supporting my fellow tour members and ensuring the success of each event. This experience solidified my belief in the transformative power of movement and instilled in me a deep desire to empower others through fitness.
Instead of continuing my time with The Young Americans, I embarked on a new adventure, venturing to Japan with my husband, who was stationed there in the Air Force. After his military service, we settled in Colorado, where I had my first son. During my time in Colorado I gained my Dental Assistant certification and worked in the field for two years as a lead dental assistant. However, the birth of my second son prompted a desire for a career change—one that would allow me to pursue my passion for health and wellness while allowing me to present for my growing family.
Driven by my own journey of postpartum recovery and self-discovery, I immersed myself in weightlifting and personal training, experiencing firsthand the transformative effects of strength training on both body and mind. Motivated by my own success, I obtained my CPT certification through NASM and partnered with a leading fitness app allowing me to deliver customized workout programs to moms just like you!
