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A new approach to menopause fitness, weight loss, and wellness for women in Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Elko New Market, Prior Lake, and Savage. Ladies… remember when a little extra cardio and cutting calories actually worked? Yeah… not so much anymore. If you’re navigating perimenopause or menopause and it suddenly feels like your metabolism is broken — it’s not you. Your body has changed, and the old rules simply don’t apply. As a personal trainer and owner of a women-focused gym and health club serving Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Elko New Market, Prior Lake, and Savage, I’ve had countless conversations that start the same way: “I’m doing more and eating less… and nothing is happening.” Here’s why. Why Weight Loss Feels Different in Menopause During perimenopause and menopause, your hormones shift dramatically. Estrogen fluctuates. Progesterone drops. Cortisol becomes more impactful. Insulin sensitivity can change. And suddenly: The cardio that used to lean you out just exhausts you. Cutting calories leaves you tired, cranky, and stalled. Belly weight appears out of nowhere. Recovery takes longer. Sleep feels disrupted. When you double down on more cardio and fewer calories, you often overstress an already stressed system. Elevated cortisol can increase inflammation and encourage the body to hold onto fat — especially around the midsection. “Calories in, calories out” is no longer the full story. Hormones matter. And your hormones are different now than they were then. The Good News: There Is a Better Way 🔥 Menopause fitness isn’t about punishing your body. It’s about supporting it. The right strategy in this season of life often includes: Strength training to protect muscle and metabolism Smart conditioning instead of endless cardio Nourishment that stabilizes blood sugar Recovery practices that lower stress Community and group fitness for accountability and support This is why our approach at our gym is rooted in total wellness — not extremes. Women from Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Elko New Market, Prior Lake, and Savage come to us not just for weight loss, but for: Sustainable energy Hormone balance Confidence Strength A supportive fitness community Because this stage of life isn’t about shrinking yourself. It’s about building resilience. You Are Not Broken. You Are Evolving. 💕 Once you understand what’s actually happening inside your body, everything changes. That’s exactly why I’m partnering with Andreya from Tone For Life to host a powerful, education-based workshop specifically for women in perimenopause and menopause. MASTER YOUR HORMONES 🗓 Saturday, March 14th | 10am–12 noon 📍 Hosted at my gym In this workshop, we’ll break down: What actually happens to your metabolism in midlife Why the strategies that used to work stopped working How to support your hormones instead of fighting them Practical steps to restore energy, balance, and confidence This is not another “eat less, move more” talk. This is real education. Real solutions. Real empowerment. Spots are limited to 15 women to keep it personal and impactful. If you’re in Lakeville, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Farmington, Elko New Market, Prior Lake, or Savage and ready to approach fitness differently — reply to reserve your seat early. You deserve to feel strong. You deserve to feel energized. You deserve to feel at home in your body again. With you every step of the way. 💕

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As 2025 comes to a close, it stands as one of the most challenging—and transformative—years of my life.In the span of eight days, I lost both of my parents.

Yesterday was the 40th running of the Twin Cities Marathon - The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America! If you are like me, you stop everything to take it all in. Marathon Day is one of my favorite days of the year! A happy place! So much goodness packed into one perfect fall day! And yesterday was no exception! 34 years ago my friend and I were curious. What is the marathon anyway? It was hard to visualize people running 26.2 miles from the Metrodome in Minneapolis to the Capitol in St. Paul. So without the assistance of Google maps, runner tracking apps or cell phones, we headed to St. Paul to "find the marathon." We rolled down our windows, drove up the Snelling Avenue hill and listened for people cheering. Sure enough we found it!

The key to a successful fitness routine is finding the right personal fitness trainer. A good trainer will help you stay motivated and meet your goals, while a bad one can leave you feeling frustrated and uninspired. So, what should you consider when looking for a personal fitness trainer? We at Puravida Fitness want you to achieve your fitness goals and be the best version of yourself. This is why we have written down the top five things you should look for in a personal fitness trainer.

This is a sign that hung in my college football weight room. It meant a lot to me. It's what motivated me to put in extra work and ultimately become a scholarship athlete and starting offensive guard on the football team. It wasn't always like that though. My life could have been drastically different - and not for the better.