I’ve always been an active person, having played volleyball in high school and enjoyed trying different sports throughout my life. But like many young parents, I did not have time to myself while raising a young family. As a family we were active—hiking, traveling, skiing on weekends—but there was no dedicated time for myself to go to the gym, or go for a run.

The critical shift came in 2008 when my daughter started kindergarten. I started to carve out occasionally, 30 min a day, to go for what was at the time an easy jog/walk. It was more than nothing, it was something.

In 2008 I decided to go back to school to get my MBA degree at Notre Dame University. It was super busy and tired at all times... school, homework, my daughters gymnastics competitions….but more than tired, I was super stressed. I needed an outlet for all that stress. I started to walk on campus, then jog, then run, then run long, then run really long. It was not about racing, I just needed to be alone. By the end of my 2-year program, I went from jogging 1 mile during breaks to running 12-15 miles on weekends.

Running became my coping mechanism. After graduation, I found a running group in a Chicago suburb and started joining them on weekends, just so I keep running. The group was training for the Chicago Marathon; I was there to have people to run with. I was the sweeper, the last one, trying hard to keep up with the last group that was training to run under 5 hour marathon. I didn’t know much about training, nutrition, or hydration, but I was consistently showing up for runs.

At the end of the training, I was convinced to ran a marathon. My fellow runners did not understand why would someone train for a marathon, but not run a race, the race was a cherry on the top. I gave into the peer pressure, and ended up running my first marathon that year in 5:20. I wasn’t hooked yet, but decided to try again next year—and I did worse than the first year. That sparked a fire; that type A in me could not let it go.

My after graduation job required me to travel a lot, but I found any opportunity to get my training in, I ran anywhere, everywhere I could. After a 4:20 marathon, I learned about the Boston Marathon and the qualification process, time you needed to run to get in. That was a turning point. Now, I wanted to qualify for Boston, and I needed 3:35. I was on a mission, and I did qualify for Boston in my technically 5th marathon (I got a stress fracture and DNFed), but 4th that I completed.

While training for my first Boston, I did too much, I still did not have a lot of knowledge on how to properly train, so I ended up with a knee injury and not able to run for 5 weeks. While training for Boston, I once again overdid it and got injured 5 weeks before the race, forced to not run, but needing to keep my fitness up. I found myself on a bike and in the pool. That is when I discovered triathlon.

Getting injured before Boston led me to obtain a coaching certification, first with the desire to coach myself and not get injured in the process, get faster, better better.

After qualifying for Boston, I lost my running spark and mojo. I needed a new goal a new challenge. And a new goal came in the shape of an Ironman.

By the end of 2016 I completed my first half ironman, next year was a full ironman, then I learned about the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, and now I had a goal again. It took me 7 Ironmans to get my first Kona qualification. Today, I don’t just participate; I compete, and I win.

Over time, this drive turned into passion and passion turned into a lifestyle that I really enjoy. This personal journey is the core of my coaching philosophy: Every athlete starts somewhere, and with the right strategy and commitment, and a guidance of an experienced coach, it can be a life long journey to health, to achievements, and finding joy in the process.

My running and endurance career is built on consistency, commitment, and a willingness to explore new challenges. My accomplishments aren’t just medals; they are proof that a dedicated process yields undeniable results.

I ran my first marathon in 2010 in 5:15. By 2014, I coached myself to 3:27 and my first Boston Qualifying time, and proudly ran the Boston Marathon in 2016. I have run 15 full marathons and competed in over 50 different run races from 5K to 26.2.

Getting injured before Boston led me to discover the world of multi-sport and fall in love with the sport. What I also learned that cross-training is the great way to stay injury-free. I’ve completed 11 Ironmans, including 2 World Championships in St. George, Utah, and Kona, Hawaii. I regularly compete and podium at the National Championships, and I am a part of Team USA and represented the USA at the 2019 Duathlon World Championship in Pontevedra, Spain.

I love to add new stimulus to my training, and a give myself a mental break. In 2015 I have discovered stairclimbing. I became an Elite Stairclimber after finishing 5th overall female in my first race. Since 2015, I’ve competed in iconic Chicago climbs (Willis – 8 times, Hancock – 8 times, AON-10 times), and many others, including the Empire State Building. I am a top 10 female in 2025 and have completed over 30 races.

I do some form of exercise every day because running, triathlons, and being active are not just what I do—they are my lifestyle. But above all, they are my hobby, and that is why I firmly believe your training should bring you joy and should be fun.

As an RRCA Certified Running Coach, my credentials are built on personal experience and formalized knowledge. I didn’t just read about running a BQ; I achieved one. I didn’t just read about the mental fortitude of an Ironman; I crossed the finish line eleven times.

For the last 12 years, I’ve channeled this passion and knowledge to coach a diverse group of athletes, helping them achieve their personal bests, from running their first mile to completing their first running race and racing to BQ.