Marisa

I am a mom of three young and wild kiddos, a business owner, and an athlete. Knowing where to put my energy and focus is a constant juggling act. It takes a village! And I want you to know that you don’t have to do it alone. We’ve got this!

About 25 years ago, I witnessed my father develop an insidious health issue. Between commuting into Pittsburgh, working long hours at his job, morning outdoor chores, and volunteering in his community, stomach ulcers from chronic stress prompted him to keep a constant supply of antacids in his desk drawer. Being health conscious, he always watched what he ate and I would notice that on the weekends he found relief by working outside on our 7 acres, going for morning walks, and playing golf. Once he found that walking helped him feel better, he got up even earlier on weekdays and bundled up on those cold Pennsylvania mornings, to head out for a walk before heading to our barn to feed a horse he boarded for a friend then off to work. The stress was subsiding a bit and he seemed to relax more. His effort to be healthy resonated with me. Witnessing his commitment to consistently improve his health shaped my dedication to live and study all things health and wellness. He taught me how to love being active and I honestly don’t know how to live any other way. Unaware of how to express this passion, I knew I had a desire to promote a culture within organizations to support their employees journeys to healthier and more productive lives in and out of the workplace.

I went on go to get a bachelor of science degree in exercise physiology and biomechanics from Pennsylvania State University, then a master of science degree in sports medicine (athletic training) at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. My path took some detours along the way and I ended up in an accelerated BSN program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and became an RN in 14-months. Along the way, to make money throughout all the schooling, I painted houses, personal trained, became a wellness Director at the Greensboro Country Club, coached swimming, and taught spin classes. I worked as a nurse for a brief period of time before deciding that coaching athletes and wellness counseling was when I felt the most fulfilled.

In 2008, I started coaching part-time. I coached a running group twice a year that trained for half-marathons and marathons. And by the end of that year, Evolve Multisport was created, coaching runners and triathletes full-time. Life continued to be an adventure and by 2010 I got married. Within 5 years we had 3 children and have since moved four times and lived in 3 different cities. We are currently settled in Metairie, La (a stone’s throw from New Orleans).

So, here’s the stuff that empowers me to give YOU my best!…

You didn’t think I only studied health and wellness, did ya? I truly live it! And while this is a story for another post, eating a predominantly plant-based diet has been my greatest health discovery. Nonetheless, I do not believe diets are one-size-fits-all. Assisting others in finding the diet or eating style that works for them is paramount! We succeed when we are consistently mindful of what we put in our bodies’, what we feed our minds, and how we move.

Speaking of moving…sitting still has never really worked for me (or my children, coincidentally). However, that is a beneficial trait in the sport of triathlon! While at Penn State, I was introduced to the sport of triathlon and had a great run at it. I got to race for 16 years and completed numerous sprint, Olympic, half and full Ironman® distance races. After having kiddos, I hung up my bike and started to run…and run…and run. Soon, I found myself loving ultramarathons and its what I continue to train for today. However, mindful eating to fuel and nourish a body constantly in motion is only a fraction of the whole, and as your coach, I will prompt you to nurture all dimensions of wellness—social, emotional, environmental, spiritual, physical, financial, vocational, and intellectual.

I’m grateful to have the opportunities to continue to learn and grow as an athlete and a coach. Over the past two decades I picked up a few certifications that enable me to be effective with my workouts, training plans, and advice. Here are just a few: a certified USA Track & Field coach, NEWTON NATURAL RUNNING™ Form Coach, Road Runners Club of America® certified running coach, certified Spinning® instructor, and a former USA Triathlon certified coach.