You’re an instructor at CorePower Yoga - where did your passion for fitness begin, and how has it evolved over the years?
I used to view exercise and fitness as a negative, something I had to do. My perspective changed when I started strength training and taking group sculpt classes when studios re-opened after Covid. After being at home for so long, I realized the joy of being able to move my body alongside others! I have been consistent with my workout routine for almost 3 years and have learned to listen to what I need to feel my best each day. This could be a long walk to get coffee with a friend, a Pilates or sculpt class, or 30 minutes of strength training at the gym. As cheesy as it may sound... now I feel like I GET to move, rather than have to move. I had been taking classes at a studio for about 2 years before I finally decided to start teaching last June!

What is the most rewarding part of being a fitness instructor and helping women look their best?
The most rewarding part is helping others build their confidence in and outside of the studio. Seeing a student come to class each week and grow from not being able to do a pushup to being able to do 12 on their feet is so inspiring. I want people to leave class feeling encouraged, motivated, and proud of themselves (not just how they may look in the mirror!)

Do you have any wellness hot-takes?

You don’t need to pay for expensive workout classes or trendy supplements to reach your goals. These things can be tools to add to your toolbox, but they aren’t necessary to see success!

What are some non-fitness or nutrition related habits you maintain to support a healthy lifestyle?
 

• Morning sunlight (getting Vitamin D first thing has been so helpful with my sleep and energy.)
• Delay caffeine for at least 90 minutes after waking. I used to be a 2 – 3 cups of coffee per day girl and now my morning cup takes me well into the afternoon without a crash!
• No phone at least an hour before bed. This one is the toughest for me, but I have a rule that if I’m in bed, my phone isn’t!

 
You were married last year and had a beautiful wedding! What are your top 3 tips for brides in the planning stage now?
Figure out your top priorities early by ranking vendors from most to least important. If flowers and photography are most important to you but stationery is at the bottom of the list, figure out ways to save in that area. I personally DIY'ed my wedding invitations and saved hundreds!

Don’t listen to all the noise about who to invite/who to include in your wedding party. This is your day and the people that love you will totally understand if you can’t include them. If they don’t, they will once they are planning a wedding themselves. :)

Think of little ways you can personalize or elevate your guest’s experience that may be out of the box. We had a coffee/espresso martini bar for guests before the ceremony, used macarons as place cards for guest tables, and left rose petals on each seat for guests to toss after the ceremony.

How does your passion for beauty, fitness, and fashion intersect in your life?

I am passionate about approaching beauty, fitness and fashion in the way that works and feels the best for you individually. Strength training and walks are my favorite form of exercise, but a ton of girls I know prefer Pilates. I love to dress up and wear makeup, but some of my friends prefer being casual and natural. There is no right or wrong approach, we all need to listen to our bodies when it comes to all 3!

What draws you to the Mestiza brand?

I feel beautiful and confident in the Eileen Midi dress! I love the versatility of it – I recently wore it dressed down with sandals and beachy hair but am planning to dress it up with heels and an updo soon.