Occupation: I am a personal trainer and kickboxing instructor extraordinaire. For the past 12 years I've been in the fitness and health field. I worked in town at Snap Fitness as a manager and, when they got bought out, I became the manager and director of Core Fitness. I've been teaching at The Dojo in Newtown since September 1, and I teach kickboxing and boot camp classes. I want to make people feel better and build their confidence, so that they look in the mirror and think "I can do this. My body is amazing." I really enjoy being active, and I lost 57 pounds over the last four years through fitness and my wonderful family who have been my support team.

Family: me proud. He's the coolest kid ever. I was a single mom for a while, but have been with my wonderful husband, Kevin, for 4½ years. We met through fitness, and he helped me through a very dark time in my life. He helped me see the wonderful person I could be and is my rock, my stability, and my mental personal trainer.I have a 6-year-old son, Liam, who's in first grade. He's very sweet, sensitive, and loving, but he doesn't take any nonsense from anyone either. He tells me he's proud of me, and he makes

Pets: Family Guy. She's special. She's about 10 years old and is so loving and cuddly.We have one dog and I love her so much, but she is not the brightest star in the sky. Her name is Stewie, like the baby in

How long have you worked in Newtown? I've worked in Newtown, on and off, for 4½ years.

What do you like to do in your free time? I really like reading poetry, and I actually have several books out there in the world with my poetry in it. I also really enjoy being active hiking or doing indoor rock climbing with my friend Diane, who owns the Robert Anthony Salon. I'm only going to be 35 years old on November 20, but I already have a bucket list of all the things I want to do.

Do you have a favorite author? I love poems by Pablo Neruda. My husband gave me one of his books and it talks about heart, soul, and body.

What is your favorite travel destination? I'm originally from San Diego, and I like things to be uncomplicated. I would love to find a cabin in the middle of upstate New York in the woods, where there is a river somewhere nearby, so we can go canoeing and kayaking.

What is the best part about Newtown? How all of the small business people know each other. It is a huge town, but we are so connected on a human level.

Who has been the greatest influence in youMy whole family: my mom, dad, husband, and son. My mom for just being her, because without her I wouldn't be me. My dad for being the calming, sensible man, who lets me know everything is going to be okay. My husband for being amazing and providing me with so much emotional support and unconditional love, understanding, and patience. My son, because without him I wouldn't have as much of a drive and purpose as I do.r life?

If you could spend the day with one person, who would you choose and why? My grandfather, who died of cancer when I was really young. I didn't get a chance to make a lot of memories with him. I would want him to see the woman that I am now and hopefully he would say that he is proud of me.

What is your favorite musical genre? I like rock music; everything from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Led Zeppelin to Imagine Dragons to Creed.

Do you have a favorite TV show? Ancient Aliens.Every Friday night my husband, Liam, and I make Skinny Girl Popcorn, sit on the couch, and watch

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been given? If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you. I heard that when I first started working out 18 years ago, from my personal trainer.