Amy’s passion for her work is obvious from the moment you meet her. Her contagious optimism motivates and inspires – whether you have been training for years, have just started your fitness journey, or are anywhere in between.
Growing up on Cape Cod, Amy graduated from Nauset Regional High School where she captained both the varsity tennis and soccer teams and was a member of the swim team. After high school, Amy attended the University of Vermont (UVM) where she played on the NCAA Women’s Division I Varsity Tennis Team. She graduated from UVM as a National Collegiate Scholar with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Management.
Amy’s diverse studies, experiences, and passions have helped to create what PFS is today. From her time in several fitness and health facilities, while living in Burlington, VT, New Zealand, and Boulder, CO, Amy recognized a need for more personalized care on Cape Cod for individuals interested in improving their overall health. She understood the importance of a more intimate, comfortable, encouraging, private, and supportive environment. She began to realize that more and more people wanted better health, but not everyone felt comfortable in a large gym or health club. Some people had been active for so long that they were either bored with what they were doing or not sure how to progress. For others, the thought of entering a health club caused anxiety. Amy wanted to create an atmosphere where not only the fit could benefit, but also where even the most intimidated individuals would feel supported and encouraged. Amy envisioned a place where everyone could thrive, and PFS was born.
Amy’s certifications and training are many, including a personal training certification through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), Pilates training and certifications through Balanced Body University (BBU) and the Pilates Institute of America (PIA). Amy was first introduced to Ashtanga Yoga while living in Burlington, VT, and was fortunate to practice with Kathy McNames of Yoga Vermont and David Swenson. In 2004, Amy had the opportunity to train with Lolita San Miguel, one of only two Pilates Elders certified by Joseph Pilates himself. In 2007, Amy was the first woman to pass the Art of Strength (AOS) Kettlebell Essentials test.
Dr. Stuart McGill, Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, is one of the most sought-after clinical researchers in the world with regard to “rehabilitating back-pained people and enhancing both injury resilience and performance.” Amy feels incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to train with Dr. McGill. Because of her understanding of Dr. McGill’s research, Amy was drawn to the MECA Back Wedge. While working with the MECA Back Institute (MBI), now Empower Wedge, she helped launch and run the teacher training program, writing the teacher training manual.
Knowing that one’s health is not just about physical health, but mental and emotional health as well, Amy has developed a deep interest in cognitive studies and brain health as related to dementia and Alzheimer’s prevention and reversal.
Amy has presented for Cape Cod Healthcare’s Wellness Trail Series on the topic of Plant-Based Nutrition and its unparalleled benefits for training, recovery, and performance for the weekend warrior to the endurance athlete. Amy has experienced the first-hand benefits of transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, having competed several times in the Spartan Beast endurance race encompassing 16-18 miles of mountain terrain, as well as in the Cape Cod Bay Challenge, a Stand-Up Paddle Board event, covering the 30-34 miles across Cape Cod Bay and taking 10-12 hours depending on the tide, wind, and current. Amy participated in these events both before and after becoming plant-based and can attest to the significant positive impacts of plant-based nutrition. Amy is certified in Plant-Based Nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University.
Taking the most vital elements and lessons from all of her studies and experiences along her journey, Amy has brought together her passion and education in functional training, biomechanically sound movement, evidence-based nutrition, brain health, as well as the key and most sound components from her background in Pilates and yoga to form a cohesive whole, the principals and protocols that PFS utilizes today.
Amy’s commitment and desire to help her clients and support her team is unwavering. She continues to be excited, happy, and humbled to share her knowledge, experience, and passion.
