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Michele

MICHELE WILKOFF

I always knew I wanted to be in the health and fitness industry from a very young age.  I took my first aerobics class when I was 13 years old and I was hooked!  I started taking tons of classes and, in 1993, I became an AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor at the age of 17.  I started by teaching hi/low and step and that has blossomed into teaching indoor cycling, boot camp classes, cardio kickboxing, body sculpting, Pilates-based training, and athletic conditioning classes.  In addition, I hold an AFAA Certification in Yoga.

In 1997, I received my AFAA Certification in Personal Training and I began working as a personal trainer in 1998 in a health club setting.  I continued my education and became an ACE Certified Personal Trainer in 2000.  I worked in a health club setting as a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor throughout college and graduate school.  I hold a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.  While in school, I studied the relationship between emotions and weight including disordered eating issues and obesity.  I understand that, for many, weight is an issue that has more to do with what’s going on in their life than just “calories in” or “calories out.”  Emotions, boredom, and stress can all play roles in why and when we eat.  I am able to use my training as a social worker to understand complex issues that surround weight and, because of that, I am able to offer a holistic approach to fitness and health.

After graduate school and working for 3 years as a clinical social worker, always teaching group exercise and personal training on the side, I decided to follow my dreams so I started my own personal training business in January 2005.  I love helping to bring fitness to those who are very motivated to exercise and to those who haven’t yet found the way to include exercise in their lives.  No two people are the same and no two bodies are the same.  I personalize each and every personal fitness training session based upon my client’s needs and goals. 

I was certified as an ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant in 2005 which is a certification that focuses on the importance of exercise, nutrition, and making the appropriate lifestyle changes for each individual client.  I am excited to say that I recently completed an SCW Specialty Certificate in Sports Nutrition and one in Exercise During and After Pregnancy. 

I plan on continuing my life in the fitness and health industry in order to help as many people as possible realize their true health and fitness potential.

I live in Playa del Rey, CA with my wonderful husband, Andy and our two cats, Tabitha and Ripley.  My hobbies include traveling, reading, running marathons and triathlons, seeing movies, and trying to sit still.