A little about Me

So many questions.. where did I grow up? how did I get to Israel? what certifications do I have? Well here are those answers…

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Start at the beginning

I am originally from Richmond, Virginia (where my parents still live). I grew up in a conservative Jewish household going to day school early on, Jewish summer camps, and active in youth group. I was always proud of my Jewish heritage.

I went to public school for middle and high school, but still stayed active in the Jewish community. Jewish Americans have to find a balance with their religious journey and their secular life.

I started dancing at the age of three and was a bit of a tap prodigy early on (even if I’m retired now). Dance was always a huge part of my life. Not just because I loved learning and being on stage but in my schedule. Creating a schedule was as important to be at the age of 15 as it is now. I learned early on how to ‘use my time wisely’ as my Mom puts it.

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I love schedules

Yes- I do. I’m honest. I love calendaring my workouts, meet ups, travel, and grocery lists. Thankful for google calendars. Nothing hand written: every digitized. It’s one reason I love MEAL PREP so much!

Meal Prep is about using your time wisely to create fun and healthy meals that make your life function well. Your body is happier with good less processed foods. And even scheduling your less healthy bites out with friends or take away.

Growing up both my parents worked full time and dinner time was our chance to come together. My mom always went grocery shopping every other Thursday with a huge list and ideas for meals. Even though her repertoire of recipes wasn’t as diverse- her meals were happy. Filled with love and comfort. She would call me on her way home and tell me how to preheat and reheat the meal and by the time she got home dinner was ready.

The negative to schedules… is I’m pretty intense with ‘my day’. I think it’s a blessing and curse. It makes me more focused as an entrepreneur… but also tougher to ‘just wing it’. Don’t worry I’m learning the new ‘relaxed’ Israeli lifestyle.

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Fit and tuck

I fell into ‘Group Fitness’ after my dancing career paused.. aka I was never going to be a professional. So my sophomore year at the University of South Carolina. I signed up for more fitness classes in my schedule and trained to be on their ‘Group X’ team and lead fitness classes for students and teachers.

Back then I taught ‘Tone n Tighten’ and Turbokick and Spin. I loved the variety and styles and energy of class. I had a ‘stage’ again. After college I tried my hand at ‘corporate life’ in Los Angeles. Yes, I finished college in 2008 with the worst economy and got scooped up by a water feature design company in business development. (so nothing connected to my degree in Sport + Event Marketing or in my passion for health)… I struggled to find my 9-5 fit. I tried other desk jobs and just felt like I failed at them. After working as an Event Coordinator for some of the top liquor brands… I realized Health + Fitness was my future. Now it would take a few more years to really solidify my plan- but here I am.

I am certified to teach Barre and was lucky enough to create new program’s for Pink Barre Studios where I used to teach. I created Barre Sculpt, Barre Bound (on trampolines) and Barre Express. I received my Yoga Sculpt Certification from Core Power Yoga (a national yoga brand). I have a special certification for Yin Yoga (relaxation yoga). I am certified Lagree Fitness, a SUPER ‘pilates’ on megaformers. (sadly we do not have them in Israel … yet). I used to be certified in Spin as well and was an aggressive ‘Super Spinner’ while in LA… that one slowly died down for me.

All my daily workouts + weekend BarreFit are my own creations. I research moves, form, combinations, and music to present you with the best workouts I can.

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“May the Schwartz be with you”

My family means the world to me. We are a big, loud Southern Jewish family. This picture is from 10 years ago… when I only had one niece. Many years later my family has grown. I have an older sister, older brother, both happily married and a totally of 6 nieces + nephews (even a set of twins!).

We may bug the poop out of each other but we love hard too. We do our best to stay in touch and talk a lot. My Dad and Mom worked really hard to make sure we come together for holidays even though we don’t all live in the same city. I’m the youngest and my siblings were out of the house already when I was very young. So I grew up tagging along with my parents and have a really close bond with them.

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Social Media Butterfly

I am really good at ‘keeping in touch’. I believe it’s one of my best attributes. Growing up my grandfather (and then my mother) made us write letters. Even if we talked on the phone every week he insisted we share letters. My love of snail mail continued at Camp Ramah in NE and all through college. I’m that girl that still goes to buy stamps. A little ‘note’ to say Hi goes a long way with friends. Who doesn’t love postcards? So even if we can’t talk on the phone I will always make the effort to show my friends they are important and I miss them!

I was the first one to leave for college, and moved the farthest away after college.. and now moving countries I’ve realized if I want to stay in touch I have to make the effort. I have an imaginary list of friends that I run through to texts/call/facetime/ or just send emoji hearts to… so that I don’t lose touch with them. Maybe not every week but every few weeks …

Jump to social media- yes I do love social media. It’s been my way of ‘keeping in touch’ of cultivating and creating new friendships, connections, and business ideas. Social media is a huge part of my life- but does not control my life. I am enthusiastic and positive and it’s not that I’m covering the bad days- but I take those sad, slow, tired days to myself… to get off the phone and just ‘be’. Social Media helps us all find support in hidden ways. I feel so uplifted by your support and encouragement. I love sharing my time and positivity to those in need.

I am a horrible food photographer- so may be why you see my face all over the page instead of my creations. I am eager to grow my very own Virtual Wellness Program in the next few months so your feedback is huge. I will continue to find ways to make us both happy and healthy.

If there is ever a time that social media does me more harm than good then I will step away- but for now.. keep sharing, posting, liking and I’ll be right here for you, with you!

▪️30 minutes ▪️Your Mat + Chair ▪️Focus on length + balance Thank y'all for the support ❤️ #athomeworkouts #wellness
▪️Almost 30 minutes... my editing 🤪 ▪️Dumbbells + Your Mat ▪️Tons of combo action Strength training day! #virtualwellness
▪️45 minutes ▪️Grab a chair, one single weight, yoga mat ▪️All levels
IG Live now saves to IGtv 📲 ▪️30 minutes ▪️Your Mat, Band, Chair/Wall for balance ❤️ JLo inspired!!