EDUCATION + CERTIFICATION

Kettering University - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

National Academy Sports Medicine -Certified Personal Trainer

During the day time you work as a mechanical engineer on ev technology.  And even worked at high pressure environments such as Tesla….  What parallels  do you see with training + engineering… And how has the experience helped working with clients..

There are quite a few surprising similarities between my engineering job and my role as a personal trainer. As an engineer, my day-to-day revolves around problem-solving, and training is no different. It requires both long-term strategizing to help clients achieve their goals and quick thinking to adapt to challenges that arise along the way. Mechanical engineering is rooted in the fundamentals of force and movement, and I apply those same principles to understand how the body and muscles function under load.  

What sparked your passion for running, and what types of workouts do you enjoy for yourself? 

 I started running when I was in high school and continued in college as a cheap and easy way to stay fit. Over time, I found long runs to be therapeutic, while simultaneously enjoying the challenge of making goals for myself outside of my career. When I am not running, my workouts are mainly strength training. I have also been enjoying adding a variety of fun workouts into my week, such as rebounding and Pilates. 

On your spare time what do you enjoy doing to decompress….

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends, either hiking around the bay or discovering new areas of the city. I also recently learned to crochet, thanks to my roommates, which has been a real challenge for myself in both patience and persistence. Only in recent years have I began traveling more, but exploring new areas of the world is something I want to continue to include each year moving forward. 

You come from a big family of nine siblings, what was that like as a child.   And have you forgotten any of your siblings name’s.

I loved growing up in a large family. As a child I was always surrounded by people, which really formed my values for community. Even today, my siblings and cousins are my built-in best friends. Haha so no, I have yet to forget any of their names, but I will admit I will accidentally call them the wrong name from time to time. My family is both athletic and competitive, so they definitely played a large role in my path to becoming a trainer.

Education + Certifications

Fresno State University - B.S. Business Information Systems

Fresno State University - M.A. Lingustics

National Academy Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer

Ayurvedic Practitioner Mount Madonna Institue

You worked in tech for a long time, what made you decide to become a fitness professional?

Studying and working in tech was not my choice, but I wanted to fulfill my parents' expectations. My heart was never in it though. Movement and being active has always been incredibly important to me. Growing up, I was on the high school basketball team as well as Malta's U16 National team. In college I played intramural soccer and participated in the Golden gate women's soccer league here in San Francisco.

I believe that movement is fluid and every form of activity has something amazing to offer our body! My love of exploring movement and finding ways to keep the body strong, and agile led me to become a Personal Trainer. The benefits I’ve experienced since combining Ayurveda and Fitness have been incredibly healing and empowering!

In addition you studied Ayurvedic Medicine. What is Ayurvedic Medicine and how can this help with someone looking to get in great shape? 

Ayurveda is one of the most comprehensive holistic health systems in the world. Originating in India over three thousand years ago, Ayurveda focuses on promoting health and longevity, and the prevention of disease. Ayurveda recognizes that no one person is the same and that we are all unique, therefore it provides individuals with personalized solutions to attain and maintain optimal health.

According to Ayurveda, the cornerstone of health is good digestion and that poor digestion is the onset of illness. Therefore, I believe that Ayurveda goes beyond just 'getting in great shape' as it brings awareness to the body. You learn about yourself and what works for you in terms of your own health & wellness. 

Having an Achilles injury.  How has that impacted your training with clients? Do you think that experience helped you as a trainer.  If so, in what ways?

I sustained an Achilles rupture twice and I'm still on a slow and steady recovery journey. In the very early stages of my recovery, I had to rely solely on verbal cues while training clients since I could not demonstrate exercises myself. This was a humbling learning experience. Additionally, my injury has made me more compassionate and empathetic towards clients who are also healing from an injury or dealing with chronic pain. I feel very fortunate that my clients have trusted me to train them while on my own recovery journey.

What are some ways you like to decompress or your hobbies? 

Over the last few years I've developed a deep appreciation for nature and what it can do for physical and mental wellbeing. I feel blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty here in the Bay Area, and take every opportunity to hike and explore various trails. On a nice sunny day, I like to hop on my bike and take in the views of the city. 

Saturday mornings at the farmer's market and cooking with seasonal produce is a favorite on my list of activities. I always find my flow while learning languages and enjoy watching foreign films and travel videos. 

EDUCATION + CERTIFICATION

Bard College

National Academy Sports Medicine    Certified Personal Trainer

National Academy Sports Medicine - Customized Integrated InjuryPrevention Program

World Kettlebell Club Coach Certified

Blackbelt Tae Kwon Do  

what compelled you to pursue a career in personal training?

Initially I had dreams of working in multimedia design after graduating from undergrad school. I logged in long hours at a corporate design job, hunched over a computer with very little human interaction. It hit me quickly...this was neither the job nor lifestyle I craved especially since fitness had always been an integral part of my life and identity. I decided to make a career change, and worked as a trainer at a corporate gym. My parents – who are on the extremely conservative side and wanted me to work behind a desk for any established company– didn’t know about my career change for a long time.

How has fitness played a role in your life?

When I was growing up, sports like basketball, tennis, soccer, and tae kwon do had a huge impact on me.  As one of the only Asian American kids in the neighborhood, I was able to use sports to forge relationships and make friends. I also learned a lot about discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. To this day, they are still things I value in my personal life and work life.

Why did you choose to start j+k, and how did you get started?

Working at a corporate gym helped me understand what I wanted j+k to be, it was going to be the antithesis of that. I didn’t want people to feel like they were being herded into the same workout regimen because at the end of the day, people aren’t the same.  Their bodies aren’t the same. I wanted to offer training in a private and inspiring space that gave identities and bodies back to our clients. 

I also envisioned j+k offering a judgment-free environment, so that people could feel comfortable and confident working out. 

DO YOU SEE ANY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN DESIGN AND PERSONAL TRAINING?

Both demand savvy problem-solving skills, the ability to find creative solutions, and an endless supply of passion. For an experienced designer it’s not just about making things look beautiful. He/she needs to assess clients’ tastes, preferences, and overall vision before producing results.  The same goes for fitness training to a certain degree…you listen to a client and what his/her goals may be. You consider their background and with all this information come up with a solution you’ll execute over the course of time.

In terms of your own workouts what are you doing these days?

Ironically enough I work with a mixed martial artist trainer to fine tune and learn the naunces of striking with both my hands, knees, elbows, legs and proper footwork.    It's been the most cathartic experience punching and kicking a pad.  I'm a firm believer in mixing things up so my body is always guessing. Sometimes a trainer needs a trainer....