HELLO, I’M KATHLEEN

I grew up in Charlotte, NC where I spent all of 18 years training for a career in the professional ballet world. As college quickly approached, I began to doubt the reality of becoming a professional dancer in a full time company position, while still wanting to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a health related field.

Being so unsure about committing my time in college to dance, I decided that as long as I stayed in shape, I could always return to ballet in the future, and proceeded to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. Knowing dance wouldn’t be as prominent in my life as college approached, I wanted to find another way to keep my body in shape. Weight training soon became my new love. 

Quickly feeling stronger and seeing the changes in my physical appearance, I became addicted to weight training. Just being in the gym atmosphere and watching others perform exercises I had never seen began to spark my creativity in exercise.

I know personally how difficult taking the first step toward a new health journey can be - especially trying something completely foreign. That is when I realized that I probably wasn’t the only person who’s anxiety and confidence was a barrier in starting consistent exercise, and I wanted to do something to make the process more approachable. I wanted to show others how strength training can change your life for the better. Becoming a certified personal trainer seemed like the natural next step to take on my goals. Having a personal trainer certification allowed me to gain experience through training students and faculty at Appalachian State University while working towards my degree in Exercise Science. Furthering my love for the health and fitness world, I was also exposed to the psychological effects of exercise through my minor in Psychology. A natural antidepressant, exercise has been proven to have as much of a positive effect on mood as prescribed SRIs, making it even more important in our day-to-day lives.

After graduating, I moved back to Charlotte, where I worked as a Chiropractic Rehabilitation Specialist. I gained the experience in using exercise to improve and prevent injury. After spending a year in this job, I learned that I enjoyed the aspect of personal training where I could make real differences in the overall health of clients and prevent injuries, rather than treating them.

Recertifying as a personal trainer through NASM has allowed me to begin training clients at Functional Fit Charlotte, where functional movement and injury prevention are a priority. I now specialize in pain management, injury rehabilitation, exercise for mental health, and exercise after 65. I hope to expose as many people as I can to the positive effects of exercise through education and personal training.