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My Story
I am Veera and I am a Lead Movement Trainer. I live to move my body (both physically and geographically) and to eat quality nutritious food. I am inspired by the art of movement. I love to try new things. There are just tons of different ways to move.
I am originally from small town called Valkeala, Finland. I used to play competitive volleyball before becoming a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor in 2013. I have tried several different exercise formats and taught a full variety of them including Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, Cycling, Boot Camp, Abs, and TRX. Additionally, I have ran two full marathons. I became a Fitness Professional while studying in Oklahoma State University. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Kinesiology with the emphasis in exercise and sport psychology at the University of North Texas.
I have learned along the way that finding the right kind of exercise for your body at this moment of life is crucial. The body changes, the mind changes, the life stressors change, so should the exercise regimen.
Before I understood the right balance of movement and nutrition for my body, my life was all over the place. I remember being addicted to running 1hrs in the morning every single day for 3 years (not missing a day); obsessed to workout every day. For example, I would do 200 abs every morning in middle school; depressed and very moody if I did not get my workout in. As a volleyball athlete, I was used to working out twice a day but I continued this maniac habit without any kind of goals after retiring from the sport. I would start multiple exercise programs but always drop out after a couple of weeks. I was beating myself down every time this happened. I was always an exerciser who wanted to break the sweat and go full out. I remember going to my first yoga class and being pissed off wasting my time for 1hrs because I did not sweat at all. I gave yoga a second chance and soon started to realize that was what my body really needed. I started to see results and changes in my body after incorporating stretching and mobility into my workout regimen.
Addition to my nonsense exercise habits, I had an unhealthy relationship to food. My mindset was that as long as I workout, I can still eat whatever I want. Overall, I thought I ate a good nutritional plan but still felt bloated and didn’t see results I wanted. I remember being addicted to eating "universally healthy" oatmeal every morning and being hungry 2 hrs afterwards and craving more carbs throughout the day. I didn't understand the first thing you put into your body is the one your body craves for the rest of the day. I was addicted to sugar and emotional eating. Food was always the comfort whether something good or bad happened in my life. Some days were good, but some days got really out of control. Deep down I knew I needed to cool down with my obsessive exercising and be more mindful with eating.
In the past few years, things got even worse regarding my health. Ever since I got out of birth control pills 2017, my teenage year acne symptoms came back which pills were originally prescribed for. In addition to skin problems, I was prone to constipation, bloating, fatigue, and having gas. My hair was falling out. I was diagnosed with food allergies (tomato, peanut, potato) and over 20 food sensitivities (e.g. soy, corn, cow's milk, spinach, avocado, etc.). My gut was unhealthy. I was diagnosed with a couple of autoimmune diseases, such as hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. It was rough time physically, mentally, but especially emotionally.
I had no other choice than start to listen to my body and mind. Ever since I started to treat food as a medicine and understood to treat my body and mind more considerate and caring way, I saw a positive change in my overall well-being. Using quality over quantity tactic did the trick in both exercising and nutrition. Now, I workout less and eat better. I have days off from exercise and I feel good about it. I eat more nutrient dense foods and try to choose foods my body agrees with. I am much happier and more balanced. It all starts from small changes which eventually become the habits. The choice is in our hands.
I believe that one’s quality of life is strongly correlated to their health. With a healthy body and mind anything is possible. I want you to be able to move freely without any aches and pains. I want you to move and exercise the best way for you, feel healthy and energized. I want you to love yourself here and now. I want to empower you to take care of yourself and embrace your life.
I am originally from small town called Valkeala, Finland. I used to play competitive volleyball before becoming a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor in 2013. I have tried several different exercise formats and taught a full variety of them including Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, HIIT, Cycling, Boot Camp, Abs, and TRX. Additionally, I have ran two full marathons. I became a Fitness Professional while studying in Oklahoma State University. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Kinesiology with the emphasis in exercise and sport psychology at the University of North Texas.
I have learned along the way that finding the right kind of exercise for your body at this moment of life is crucial. The body changes, the mind changes, the life stressors change, so should the exercise regimen.
Before I understood the right balance of movement and nutrition for my body, my life was all over the place. I remember being addicted to running 1hrs in the morning every single day for 3 years (not missing a day); obsessed to workout every day. For example, I would do 200 abs every morning in middle school; depressed and very moody if I did not get my workout in. As a volleyball athlete, I was used to working out twice a day but I continued this maniac habit without any kind of goals after retiring from the sport. I would start multiple exercise programs but always drop out after a couple of weeks. I was beating myself down every time this happened. I was always an exerciser who wanted to break the sweat and go full out. I remember going to my first yoga class and being pissed off wasting my time for 1hrs because I did not sweat at all. I gave yoga a second chance and soon started to realize that was what my body really needed. I started to see results and changes in my body after incorporating stretching and mobility into my workout regimen.
Addition to my nonsense exercise habits, I had an unhealthy relationship to food. My mindset was that as long as I workout, I can still eat whatever I want. Overall, I thought I ate a good nutritional plan but still felt bloated and didn’t see results I wanted. I remember being addicted to eating "universally healthy" oatmeal every morning and being hungry 2 hrs afterwards and craving more carbs throughout the day. I didn't understand the first thing you put into your body is the one your body craves for the rest of the day. I was addicted to sugar and emotional eating. Food was always the comfort whether something good or bad happened in my life. Some days were good, but some days got really out of control. Deep down I knew I needed to cool down with my obsessive exercising and be more mindful with eating.
In the past few years, things got even worse regarding my health. Ever since I got out of birth control pills 2017, my teenage year acne symptoms came back which pills were originally prescribed for. In addition to skin problems, I was prone to constipation, bloating, fatigue, and having gas. My hair was falling out. I was diagnosed with food allergies (tomato, peanut, potato) and over 20 food sensitivities (e.g. soy, corn, cow's milk, spinach, avocado, etc.). My gut was unhealthy. I was diagnosed with a couple of autoimmune diseases, such as hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. It was rough time physically, mentally, but especially emotionally.
I had no other choice than start to listen to my body and mind. Ever since I started to treat food as a medicine and understood to treat my body and mind more considerate and caring way, I saw a positive change in my overall well-being. Using quality over quantity tactic did the trick in both exercising and nutrition. Now, I workout less and eat better. I have days off from exercise and I feel good about it. I eat more nutrient dense foods and try to choose foods my body agrees with. I am much happier and more balanced. It all starts from small changes which eventually become the habits. The choice is in our hands.
I believe that one’s quality of life is strongly correlated to their health. With a healthy body and mind anything is possible. I want you to be able to move freely without any aches and pains. I want you to move and exercise the best way for you, feel healthy and energized. I want you to love yourself here and now. I want to empower you to take care of yourself and embrace your life.
Credentials
- Masters of Science in Kinesiology, University of North Texas
- Certified Personal Trainer, American Council of Exercise
- Certified Group Fitness Instructor, American Council of Exercise
- Certified Yoga and Mat Pilates Instructor, American Safety Association
- Certified Zumba Instructor, Zumba®
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