GET TO KNOW ALISHA
It’s never been about what I lost — it’s always been about what I gained. And what I’m still gaining. 💫
I’m Ali, your resident hype gal and late-blooming strength enthusiast, born and raised on a small Midwest farm where common sense, grit, and community shaped the way I see the world. Those roots carried me into major urban centers and a 25-year career in media; a life that stretched from local newsrooms to national and international coverage, guiding teams through some of the most defining events of our generation. I mentored journalists, championed young storytellers, and learned firsthand the power of showing up for people in the messy middle of life.
But even as I built a respected career, my health and spirit were quietly unraveling. Years of stress, long hours, and self-neglect culminated in a moment that changed my life: a compassionate physician looked me in the eye and told me I deserved more; more strength, more care, more belief in myself. One step on a treadmill turned into a walk toward wellness, which turned into a run toward a new life.
Since 2017, I’ve maintained nearly 130 pounds of weight loss through curiosity, consistency, therapy, mobility work, and, most importantly, strength training. I didn’t just learn how to move my body. I learned how to live in it with love.
In 2023, I walked away from corporate media and stepped into my own becoming. Today, as a Dynamic Personal Trainer at Life Time River North, I help others ignite their spark of transformation.. the same spark that saved me. My mission is simple: lift people up, literally and figuratively, and help them build a life filled with confidence, capability, and joy.
Why Strength Training Matters — Especially for Women at Every Age
Women in their 20s build the foundation.
Women in their 30s deepen resilience.
Women in their 40s rewrite the rules.
Women in their 50s and beyond redefine what strong looks like.
And through perimenopause, menopause, and active aging, strength training becomes non-negotiable for vibrant living.
Muscle isn’t about aesthetics — it’s functional freedom. It’s bone density, metabolism, hormone support, emotional regulation, injury prevention, and long-term independence. It’s the difference between shrinking with age or expanding into it.
I’m right in the thick of perimenopause with you, learning, adapting, laughing at the chaos, and discovering firsthand that this season isn’t a decline. It’s a recalibration. And strength training is one of the most powerful tools we have to navigate it with courage, energy, and joy.
A Life Built on Small Glimmers of Goodness
I’m still the Midwest kid who believes in hard work, kindness, and dancing in the kitchen. I’m still the empathetic urban leader who loves big ideas, diverse voices, and the electricity of a city that never slows down. And I’m the midlife woman who finally came home to herself. Not by losing something, but by gaining clarity, strength, and a life lived vibrantly in the present.
When I’m not in the gym helping others build strong, sustainable habits, you’ll find me exploring the world on my bike, photographing bees and flowers, admiring architecture, or dancing to whatever song sets my soul on fire. These are my glimmers; the little reminders that wellness is far more than workouts. It’s aliveness.
A Call to Action
You being here is your first step.
Your first rep.
Your first glimmer of what’s possible.
I’m here to be your motivator, your accountability partner, and your hype girl. Together, we’ll create a wellness path that fits your real life — through strategic strength training, intentional nourishment, and the deep belief that you deserve to feel good in your body today, tomorrow, and for decades to come.
Let’s build strength.
Let’s build confidence.
Let’s build a life you’re excited to wake up to — at every age and every stage. 🫶☀️