Welcome

A woman is stretching on the floor with another person.

I learned to love the journey, not the destination.I learned that this is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get.-Anna Quindlen
Credit: SQNSport

About Me

With over three decades of experience, I am passionate about guiding individuals towards improved strength, movement, and overall well-being. My mission is to help you become stronger for the activities you love while supporting your journey towards achieving your unique health and fitness goals. 

Having worked with top-tier athletes in the vibrant sports town of Sun Valley, Idaho, as well as with countless inspiring everyday people, I understand both the thrill of peak performance and the challenges of recovery. I excel at quickly identifying musculoskeletal imbalances that may causebor contribute to muscle and joint pain, so I can promptly implement targeted strategies to address issues and keep you moving forward. 

In 2004 I was struck with spondylolisthesis, a painful slipped disc in my lower back. I was living with chronic pain. After undergoing surgery to fix my back I continued to focus and expand my education on the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex, and how to manage and prevent back pain. Flash forward to the present, I am now a recognized Corrective Exercise Specialist in The BioMechanics Method ( TBMM-CES ).

Since 2000 I have also studied yoga with world-renowned yoga teachers, so if you train with me, you will surely do some yoga. Balance is huge for people over 40. So is the necessity of bringing together muscles and mind to move more efficiently, to relax when we need to relax, and to be powerful when power is needed. For example, have you ever noticed that a great skier’s upper body is always relaxed?

When you first begin working with me, you will undergo a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. Results from this assessment then guides us to understand what muscles and other soft tissue are contributing to your condition. Each program is designed specifically for your needs and goals. We’ll look at any musculoskeletal imbalances and design a corrective exercise program to help you move better, if that’s what you are more interested in. If your goal is weight loss, we incorporate full body moves with high metabolic cost, as I want your time working out to be maximized. Whether your goal is fat loss, feeling better, or returning to your favorite sport, I will bring abundant enthusiasm and the best programming to design your workout. ( Plus, when you train with me I can guarantee you that you will not be sore on the first day of ski season.)

As a former junior ski racer, my greatest passion skiing. I love to run, bike, practice yoga, and rock climb, taking me to the cliffs of the Greek Islands, Sardinia, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Thailand. Hiking with our Golden Retriever, Izzy, is also high on my list of things I love to do.

Here is a list of my credentials:

  • Corrective Exercise Specialist in The Biomechanics Method ( TBMM-CES ), the industry’s highest-rated CES credential.
  • American College of Sports Medicine ( ACSM ) Certified Exercise Physiologist 
  • American Council on Exercise (gold level)
  • Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research
  • Active Isolated Strengthening Therapist (a method of fascia release used to facilitate stretching)
  •  International Dance Exercise Association Elite Level Personal Trainer  ( the highest level of achievement in the personal fitness training industry)
  • TRX Suspension training coach.
  • Author of the Essential Core Poster ( click on link front page ! )
  • 30 year author of a popular monthly health and fitness column ” Fitness Guru ” for the Idaho Mountain Express
  • Yoga training with www.judithlasater.com, www.seanecorn.com, and www.erich schiffman.com
  • YMCA Group Exercise Leader

A woman is stretching on the floor with another person.

Featured Post

Target your glutes like a pro

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The gluteal muscles are large, powerful muscles that cross the hip joint and play a critical role in nearly all lower-body movement. The gluteus maximus is the largest of these muscles and is responsible for extending and laterally rotating the … Continue reading →

5 essential exercises you need

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Fitness Guru-How to find tight neck and shoulder relief

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If your neck and shoulders are chronically tight, not only does it feel bad, but neck and shoulder limitations affect the biomechanics of your body. Conversely, when you have balance and alignment in everyday life, you establish a great starting … Continue reading →

The power of problem solving

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4 stretches to stay ahead of aging

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We all want to enjoy a healthy work-life balance and have more energy throughout the day. Regardless of your age, the habits of daily living become more important, whether you are in your 40s or 60s. The body, however, has … Continue reading →

Break old habits to fix an achy back

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Healing a sore back requires breaking some old habits and forming some new ones, says Dr. Stuart McGill. If you’re living with an achy back, getting your swagger back, as McGill, the most recognized spine researcher in the world, states, … Continue reading →

Quick fixes for your squats

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Five everyday movements you need

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Add single -leg squats to your training

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Ankle flexibility for better balance and sports

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The feet and ankles support and cushion the entire weight of the body and are crucial to keep your body balanced. Anyone that has to be on his or her feet all day knows that they bear a lot of … Continue reading →

To sleep better, add Yoga Nidre to your nighttime routine

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Healthy brain aging and exercise

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The human brain is a magnificent three-pound organ. It is the seat of our intelligence, initiates all our body movement and controls our behavior. As we all age, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is expected to markedly increase. Our health … Continue reading →

Health and perspective: From stairs to red wine

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The Covid -19 pandemic has impacted everyone across the globe.  It has affected our lives on both a small and large scale, particularly having to let go, for a while, of a pre-Covid world. Remember, there is nothing wrong about allowing … Continue reading →

Build core power and stability with the Farmer’s Walk

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Core stability is imperative for all facets of movement and performance, whether you’re a skier or skater. As a new ski season kicks off, core strength can be a great asset to ski at a higher intensity, for a longer … Continue reading →

Work ( out ) from home

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Can you really spot-reduce belly fat?

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Breath and awareness can help us cope

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Strong legs : learning the basic squat

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Recent Posts

Why single-leg strength matters more than you think

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If you’ve ever noticed that one side of your body feels stronger than the other—whether you’re skiing, running, or lifting —you’re not alone. Uneven hip strength is extremely common and can unfortunately affect performance, balance and long-term joint health. Fortunately, targeted exercises can help correct these imbalances and improve how your body moves as a whole.

One of the most effective exercises for addressing side-to-side differences is the single-leg Romanian deadlift (RDL). This movement strengthens the glutes while also acting as a corrective tool, revealing weaknesses that may go unnoticed during traditional two-legged exercises. Because many daily activities and sports require you to stabilize on one leg at a time, training this pattern is key.

The single-leg RDL works from the ground up. It begins with creating a stable base through the foot while the glutes and hips work to keep the pelvis level as the opposite leg reaches back. When the pelvis stays even, movement becomes more efficient. When it doesn’t, the body compensates—often leading to reduced performance or discomfort in the lower back, hips or knees.

Before loading this movement, here’s a way to prepare the muscles and joints with mobility work and a simple progression.

Foam roll the glutes

Tight or shortened glute muscles can limit hip motion and disrupt pelvic alignment, especially for people who sit frequently or tend to overarch the lower back.

Foam rolling the gluteus maximus and piriformis, a deep hip rotator, helps rejuvenate tissue and circulation, allowing the pelvis and hips to move more freely.

  • Lie (or sit) on a foam roller and shift your weight slightly to one side. Place your arm or hands on the floor for support. Roll slowly back and forth over the muscle. Roll for 30 seconds to two minutes per side at least once per day.

TRX single-leg reaching Romanian deadlift

This upright, supported variation reinforces proper hip hinging while developing balance and control. Pressing into the handles engages the anterior core and encourages proper glute activation. The gluteus medius, a key stabilizer of the pelvis, works alongside deep core muscles to maintain alignment, playing a critical role in efficient movement.

  • Hold the straps, set at mid-length, with arms extended at chest height. Stand on one leg with a slight bend in the knee and hinge forward at the hips while extending the free leg back. Keep the pelvis level and return to standing. Perform eight slow repetitions per side.

Single-leg Romanian deadlift

Single -leg Romanian deadlift

🔹Flex at hip while maintaining slightly bent kneeo of the targeted leg;
keep straight torso.
🔹Reach the free leg back as the chest moves forward, keeping the movement long and horizontal.
🔹Return to start.
🔹Touch the ground between reps to regain balance.

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The single-leg Romanian deadlift is one of the most effective exercises for strengthening the glutes. Training one side at a time improves balance and pelvic stability, helping the body move more efficiently and confidently in both daily activities and athletic pursuit.

Published in The Idaho Mountain Express February 13, 2026

https://www.mtexpress.com/wood_river_journal/features/fitness-guru-why-single-leg-strength-matters-more-than-you-think/article_bb49a02e-426e-4053-80ba-9e50cf590a31.html

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