How Water Healed Me

I started swimming at 6 months with my Mom and Dad at the Downtown YMCA. I was a fish to the water and reached the most advanced level of swimming lessons at a young age. At age 11 I found out I had moderate scoliosis of the spine and began chiropractic treatments three times a week to reduce my curves before my bones fully ossified. The only sport / activity I was allowed to do was swimming. I joined my first swim team, Washington Piranhas where all my friends went, won my first race and the rest was history.

I continued swimming at Riverside University High School and was All Conference all four years and All-State Honorable mention for two years. When I graduated in 1998, I held 10 of the 11 swimming records. I went on to swim at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, earning two Big Ten team titles, the Dorothy Sheppard Humanitarian Award and served as Co-Captain my senior year.

Curious about how other cultures use water as a way to heal their bodies and minds, I embarked on a project called, Follow the Water where I studied and was trained in various water modalities around the world, including, aquacycling, water massage, watsu, floatation, freediving, scuba diving, water birth and water aerobics.

After moving back to Milwaukee in 2020, I was honored to be the Head Coach of the 2021 and 2022 RUHS High School Swim Team and helped numerous girls become confident in the water and improve competitively.

I am currently a Water Safety Instructor for the MKE Rec Water School that works with 3rd graders in MPS to teach water safety and am passionate about improving water confidence for every child in Milwaukee.

I offer a public warm water therapy class that I designed, H2flOw, Wednesday evenings at 5:45pm at North Division Pool (check Fall 2023 Schedule on MKE REC). I am certified in Child and Adult Lifeguarding / CPR / AED (expires 2025), Kundalini. Yoga, Fluid Presence Levels I and II, Watsu, and Yoga Nidra. I teach private swimming lessons for both children and adults.

I am passionate about working with people to love the water and nurture a positive and fulfilling relationship with water!

FULL BIO
Expert Trainer

EDUCATION:
Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University
Dual Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Japanese from the University of Minnesota
High School Diploma from Riverside University High School

CAREER/ATHLETIC ACHIEVEMENTS:
Author of Free to Feel: Creating from Emotions
Member of the University of Minnesota Division 1 Big Ten Swimming & Diving Team
Two time Big Ten Championship Team 1999 and 2000
Four year Scholar Athlete
Recipient of the Dorothy Shepard Award for Community Activism
Co-Captain 2001 
High School Four year all conference 
Two time State Honorable Mention
Held 10 High School records, currently hold 3

CERTIFICATIONS:
Lifeguard Certified
AED / CPR Certified (Child + Adult)
Kundalini Yoga + Meditation Certified
Yoga Nidra Certified
Fluid Presence Level 1 and 2 Certified (Water Massage)
High School Swim Coach 
Floatation Tank Facilitator 
Aquacycling Certified
Swim Lesson Instructor
Water Safety (Swim School) MKE REC Certified

SPECIALITES:
Aquatics Personal Training:
Work with former collegiate athlete and water therapist, Anne Koller to strengthen your swimming skills, rebuild mobility after an injury, or recover physically and mentally with water therapy that incorporates stretching, movement, meditation and floatation. 

Maximizing Stroke Technique
• Fine tune strokes, turns and shave time for competitive swimmers.
• Train for a triathlon, IRONMAN or other competition by building efficient cardio strength, stroke technique and pacing.
• Cross-train for other sports and diversify exercise program.
Rebuild + Recover 
• Recover sore, achy muscles from intensive exercise.
• Rebuild strength after surgery or injury through physical therapy, stretching and mobility work.
• Restore and relax mind and body to decrease stress and help with sleep and digestion.

Other Specialties Include:
Yoga
Meditation
Water Massage
Swimming
Holistic Wellness
Emotional Wellness
Women's Retreats

INTERESTS/HOBBIES:
Finding new bodies of water to swim and meditate in, creating art, being in nature, growing food, learning about new health practices, family, friends, and traveling.

PHILOSOPHY:
I was diagnosed with moderate scoliosis at age 11. I was taken out of all my high impact sports - gymnastics, track, and even gym class for two years while being treated by a world renowned Chiropractor. The only physical activity I was allowed to do was swimming. Turns out it was the sport I was best at. 
                                         
Water strengthened the muscles around my spine and healed me and I wanted to know how and why. I would go on a quest to explore the various ways water naturally heals the body, mind, and spirit. I studied aquacycling, yoga, floatation, swim coaching, water massage, water dance, water meditation, free diving, and water birth. I draw upon my training and knowledge to design water sessions that help people meet their goals. 
                                         
Water has the ability to strengthen our muscles, calm our minds, and rebuild our wellness routine. Whether you are a triathlete needing stroke technique or have a surgery you are recovering from, let’s co-create the program that keeps you strong, confident and feeling good in the water and on land.