Hi, I'm Jill.  I love salt, chocolate, the beach, hiking, and all things wellness.  I'm from Salt Lake City, UT, but now live in Wellington, New Zealand.  I am married and have one son, Atticus, and a cat, Lilith.

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Personal Profile

My love of movement comes from the dancer in me.  I grew up taking ballet, but it wasn't until high school when I was introduced to modern dance, that I really became excited.  At university, my dance studies were the one consistency while I worked on a math degree about which I felt uncertain.  Finally, I changed my major to lifestyle management to satiate my curiosity about anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology, etc.  It was great, I still got to play with math and physics, but within the context of something I enjoyed.  

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The highlight of my time dancing was the opportunity to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC (USA) as an American College Dance Festival outstanding performer nominee. Shortly after which, my focus on dance became derailed by foot surgery and chronic hip and neck pain.  Pilates became my outlet for moving and teaching movement and a vehicle for exploring the art and science of human movement.  It was during this same time while working as Employee Wellness Coordinator at Weber State University that I became interested in all things wellness.  Intuitive Eating became of particular interest to me because of its focus on helping people build trust with food and their bodies.  It seemed a natural complement to Pilates.  Before leaving my position at Weber State I was honored in Utah Business Magazine as a Health Care Hero award recipient.  

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I grew up in Salt Lake City, UT (USA), where I met my husband who is both an American and New Zealand citizen.  In 2011 we decided to start a new adventure and moved to New Zealand, soon after becoming parents when our son was born in 2012.  I had a difficult pregnancy and c-section recovery, which has only deepened my understanding of and respect for our bodies' intrinsic ability to heal when we are attuned enough to allow it.    

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Today I am well and feeling more passionate than ever about infecting you with my knowledge and skills! 

 

Education

I have a bachelor’s degree in Lifestyle Management and modern Dance from Weber State University in the United States. My degree provided strong foundational knowledge and practical application in exercise physiology, nutrition, behavior change, teaching movement, and dance performance. I am a Pilates Mat instructor through Balanced Body.  I also held a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) in the USA from 2000-2020, and am now an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.   I also have certifications as an Intuitive Eating Counselor and Life Coach. I regularly participate in continuing education to maintain my credentials.



I have a decade of professional experience teaching adults and have worked in a variety of settings including worksite wellness, academic, physiotherapy, health clubs, and community.  I have conducted individual sessions, facilitated small groups, and presented to large audiences. The population of adults I have reached in these settings is diverse and has helped me to hone my teaching, counseling, and listening skills. Students really are the best teachers!   

It is my goal to help you feel more at home in your own body so you can live life in a more mindful, energized, and connected way.  I approach this by encouraging a sense of curiosity, collaboration, and community which facilitates a quality teaching and learning environment. This environment sets the stage to move, improve, feel safe and connected.

 

Philosophy

My style of Wellness Coaching is highly collaborative and a fusion of life coaching, personal training, mindful movement, Pilates, intuitive eating, and more tailored to meet you where you are at.

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I am equally dedicated to meeting you where you are at present while guiding you towards improvement.  You are successful if you feel engaged, challenged, and empowered.