My Story

My entire life, I had been overweight or obese.

Strangely, I’d also always been on some kind of diet: Slim Fast, South Beach, you name it. Like most people on the heavy side, I had just kind of accepted that I could lose a few pounds, but I would never be “skinny.” And because of that, there was a lot I couldn’t do in life. I could never be a runner, compete in any kind of athletic event, or be attractive to the opposite sex.

When I started to lose weight in February of 2009, I didn’t have that defining moment where a light bulb went off and I knew that I had just made a decision to change my life. It was far, far from that. I had a friend who had started a great program called Couch to 5k where you start walking (which I already did and enjoyed) and incorporated very short spurts of running to eventually reach a 5K run. She raved about the program, and I just decided to start it because I knew I could use the workout.

I didn’t believe I could finish the whole 9 week program, but I told myself I would see how far I could make it.

Well, it took me longer than 9 weeks, but I completed the program. I had to repeat some weeks and I had days I just really didn’t want to run, so I didn’t. But after I completed the program I felt great. There was a local half marathon about 14 weeks away and while I knew that was a lofty goal, I just wanted to see how far I could make it. The day of that race, I crossed the finish line a and realized how much I had changed.

I didn’t know it was possible to feel so on top of the world.

Gradually, I started making changes to my diet. As a professional chef, I loved food (and still do), so I refused to give up everything I loved eating. I figured I could start making small changes just like when I had started running, and I would be happier and healthier as a result. If I wanted a cheeseburger and beer I still had them, but I just thought, “It’s ok to do this today, but not everyday”. Today I still “cheat” but it never feels like a wrong thing to do, and I have found a great balance of healthy and not so healthy eating.

I tell you all this about my past because it is the foundation of Level Wellness. Too many times we try to completely change everything about ourselves overnight, and it just isn’t realistic.

Most of the time, that’s why we fail.

I believe in coaching, making small changes and setting goals.I’m going to be honest – my approach does not deliver instant results, but it helps you celebrate small victories and achieve bigger goals over time.

Now, just a few years later, I’ve competed in over a dozen half-marathons & triathlons, finished 4 full marathons and rocked 2 half-Ironman triathlons. I’ve lost over 60 pounds. I decided to quite my job as a chef and pursue fitness in my career to help others find the level wellness I have found.

Professional Experience

American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer since 2012
Spinning Certified Instructor since 2012
American Council on Exercise Certified Group Exercise Instructor since 2013
Wellness Coach since 2013

My Clients

In the past year, I’ve trained and coached clients from 8 to 80 years old in varying states of fitness, including overweight children, young athletes, coma survivors, obese and overweight individuals and new moms.

Here’s what a few of them have to say about Level Wellness:

The best result of working with Teresa was weight loss. I mentioned to Teresa that I was frustrated that as much as I was working out and getting fit the scale just wasn’t moving. And it wasn’t just that “muscle weights more than fat” thing that everyone says—I had been trying to lose a couple pounds for 2 years and hadn’t had any success—I tried counting calories with a phone app, doing lots of cardio, avoiding sweets, EVERYTHING that had worked when I was younger but nothing had worked. Teresa had me keep a food diary for a week, and then we went over it together. She did a little research and drew me a picture of a plate that showed WHAT I should be eating and in what quantities, and VOILA! Four months later I was down 14 pounds—and a pants size. –Stephanie

I’ve known Teresa for a very long time and saw her transform from an unhappy, overweight individual to a driven, passionate coach that wants nothing more than to help others. Her life experience and passion is what makes her not only a top notch personal trainer, but more importantly, a wellness coach that truly understands how to help you reach your goals. –Allison

In 2011 I spent ten days in a coma and two months in the hospital. I had severe swelling in my brain, broke several bones in my face, my left wrist and dislocated my left shoulder along with tearing all the muscles and tendons away from the bone. I could not do anything physical for over a year due to my concussion and poor eyesight. I finally was able to start exercising in January of 2013. I started curling soup cans, my balance was so bad I had to walk with a cane. I started training with Teresa in March of 2013. At first we mostly just stretched and walked slowly on the treadmill. In November I was able to start bowling again. Today I am bowling two nights a week, walking without a cane, and my balance is almost back to normal. Teresa has taken me from barely able to walk to being able to do almost everything I used to do. Teresa went grocery shopping with me and taught me what is good for me and what to stay away from. I have lost over fifty pounds and almost two inches off my waist. My body fat has gone from 33.9% to 24.3%. You will not find a trainer who cares more about their clients than Teresa. –Chuck