Hi! I’m Mikaela, a trauma-informed movement coach and personal trainer who believes strength training is about so much more than exercise. It’s an opportunity to build trust in our bodies, confidence in ourselves, and a more supportive relationship with movement that nurtures our overall wellbeing.
Before becoming a coach I worked in public health, where I developed a deep appreciation for community care, accessibility, and the ways our environments shape our health and wellbeing. I was also a collegiate basketball player and later coached high school basketball, experiences that showed me the incredible power of movement in building resilience, connection, and confidence—but also that many traditional fitness/sports spaces can unintentionally leave people feeling like they don’t belong.
Today, I specialize in working with pregnant and postpartum people, while also supporting people navigating (peri)menopause, beginners, and anyone looking for a more positive, sustainable relationship with movement. My coaching is rooted in consent, accessibility, radical inclusion, and creating spaces where everyone feels welcomed and empowered. Through strength training, breathwork, and functional movement, I help people reconnect with their bodies, celebrate what they’re capable of, and discover that strength can support every part of their lives—both inside and outside the gym.
What makes GLSC so special to me is its supportive culture. It’s a place where people can challenge themselves, build confidence, and feel genuinely encouraged throughout the process.
Favorite Movement: Jump rope — I love that it combines endurance, strength, rhythm, coordination, and playfulness. It
challenges me while still feeling fun.
Least Favorite Movement: The air bike. I’ll embrace a challenge, but I’d much rather move in ways that feel dynamic and engaging.
My motivation as a coach: What keeps me coming back to coaching is witnessing the quiet transformations that happen alongside
physical strength. I love seeing people build confidence in themselves, recognize strengths they didn’t
know they had, and realize they belong in the gym exactly as they are. My hope is that every person I
work with leaves feeling stronger, more connected to themselves, and empowered to move through life
with greater resilience and joy.
Credentials: Trauma-Informed Weight Lifting Certified Practitioner, ProNatal Pre- & Postnatal Certified Specialist, Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist, Crossfit Level 1, Certified Breathwork & Movement Coach, Masters in Social Work