A Micro Gym With Mega Heart

Hello! I’m Cathy, and I opened Mindful Muscle™ Wholeness Studio in 2024 to help others befriend themselves through strength training and mindfulness. 

That may sound weird, but I mean it—sometimes people come to exercise and meditation with complicated relationships to their body and their mind. (Or they avoid exercise and meditation for the same reason!) All true for me. By learning to safely, strategically and soulfully engage with mental and physical challenges, my clients and I are building inner and outer strength.

We do this through Mindfulness-Based Strength Training™—which is my blend of weight-lifting and awareness exercises meant to explore and improve the mind-body-spirit connection. The motto is lift weights and meditate™ but I don’t insist on chanting.

I value evolution over “transformation”—which means embracing the process of progress. (This may include periods of stagnation or regression, which are inherent to learning and growing.) Changing our habits of mind and body is so hard but doable through consistency, acceptance, adaptability, faith and grit. Having a trustworthy and supportive coach helps. Did for me, and now I’m paying it forward.

I mostly coach 1-2 clients at a time, who come 2-3 times a week, although the gym can accommodate up to 8 clients, depending on the focus. While I have my own ideas about what a well-rounded program looks like, I value each client as their own person, and try to understand and prioritize their goals, preferences and challenges.

There are a lot of places and ways to work out nowadays, and a lot of pros who seem to know just what you need to look and feel better. I cannot promise to fix all your problems, but I will come alongside you to figure things out. I know a lot, but I don’t know even more and I’m willing to admit it. I do my research, ask for advice and take an evidence-based approach to learning, coaching and living.

I draw on my education and experience as a GGS Coaching Specialist, MBSR Facilitator, FRC Mobility Specialist, as well as a national news journalist focussing on health, science and medicine. And on my triumphs and toughest moments just being human.