Why this 46yo Core Fitness Specialist Is Going Back To College

Here’s my essay:

I am applying to pursue my PhD in Prevention Science at Washington State University because I want to dive into substantive research that shows how offering specific fitness modalities to people with substance use disorder (SUD) can prevent them from falling back into using and enable them to lead vibrant, healthy lives  As Desmond Tutu said, “There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” My ultimate goal is to become a professor and post-doctoral researcher in a lab devoted to relapse and recidivism prevention via local research and international collaboration. I want to reach the younger versions of myself and my colleagues – the future exercise scientists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, fitness instructors, outreach workers, peer recovery specialists, and teachers – because, with more evidence and training, they will be the ones to wade out even deeper and save even more lives.

I believe I have already been able to stand upstream in three key ways: I’ve raised two children and taught them to be compassionate, sober and engaged members of society. Second, I’ve built a successful business teaching perinatal and perimenopausal people how to rebuild their abdominal and pelvic strength via evidence-based, full-body workout videos. Third, I have become deeply involved in my local addiction recovery community, volunteering with children impacted by adults with SUD and teaching and coordinating classes for people in early detox. 

As a Venn diagram, those three achievements highlight teaching as my strength, but I’m not done learning. Pursuing my PhD in prevention science would give me the chance to learn how to research my hypotheses about early SUD recovery and unique fitness approaches. I’ve noticed that traumas to the stomach and pelvis are common, and that creates a barrier to recovery. However, due to systemic discoordination and other factors, typical Yoga or Pilates classes aren’t consistently doable or accessible in early detox. Based on hundreds of conversations, I believe rates of bowel and bladder leakage are higher in addicts, and slumped posture is also noticeable in recovering addicts which is one of the lingering effects of “Tranq,” a deadly mix of fentanyl and tranquilizers. Meanwhile, we know that a higher degree of kyphosis increases the odds of having uterine prolapse (Lind et al 1996). 

We also know that pelvic floor muscle training improves symptoms and stage of prolapse in just 6 months (Wang et al 2022), that the diaphragm and pelvic floor muscles work together to contract during exhalation and lengthen during inhalation (Talasz et al 2011 & Hodges et al 2007), that physical activity is 1.5x more effective than counseling or medication for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress (Singh et al 2023), and ball-type activities improve psychological health and social well being (Wikman et all 2017 & Kai Qi et al 2024).

Based on that information, I put together a breath-based, ball-type fitness method which I’ve been implementing in groups for 5 years. I believe it may reduce relapse rates, and I’d like to research it as well as study rates of bladder and bowel incontinence in people in addiction recovery along with other types of exercise that detoxing addicts can immediately perform which benefit both their core strength and mental health.

I have been immersed in the fitness industry since 1995 when I began working in athletic clubs as a teenager. I got certified as a group fitness instructor in 1997 and received my Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science from Oregon State University in 2001 at which point I was hired as the assistant manager at a federal fitness facility. While raising my children, I continued my education, becoming certified in Yoga, Pilates, Level 1 Hypopressives, 3rd Age Women, Breast Cancer Rehab Coaching, and more. In 2010, I founded Fit2B, an internationally acclaimed website that provides hundreds of streaming workout videos, courses, and content including a workout app, the Fit2B Radio Podcast, Experts In Diastasis Recti, Proactive Perimenopause, Prenatal Fitness, Postnatal Fitness, Comforting The Core, and many others. 

My work is endorsed by nurses, doulas, doctors, athletic trainers, and physical therapists around the globe. I have traveled the world as a speaker and educator and written a book on diastasis recti which I plan to self-publish next year. I’ve also collaborated with several of my international colleagues on a massive survey and service review paper which I have attached and which has been accepted by the Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) for feedback and review prior to its pending publication in Spring, 2026. That process got my research feet wet, and with my oldest graduating college soon and my youngest graduating high school this year, I’m perfectly positioned to go back to school myself.

As I’ve been deciding who to have on my PhD advisory team, I have had the pleasure of many helpful conversations with Dr. Raven Weaver, as well as zoom meetings with Dr. Michael Cleveland and Dr. Anne Cox. My philosophy and goals align really well with both of their research projects, and I would be delighted to have either of them as advisors. However, I am beautifully connected in the Vancouver community, so I’m not sure that is possible since they’re in Pullman. I am willing to work with anyone, open to ideas, eager to be mentored and challenged, and very excited about the prospect of a teachership or assistantship!

If I am accepted to this program, you’ll have all of my enthusiasm, connections, creativity, experience, strong work ethic, dedication, and my huge heart. It would be such an immense honor to continue my education by pursuing my doctorate at WSU while also working with other students and conducting research that helps recovering addicts in the Vancouver area. There’s nothing compared to working with people who have survived overdoses, street life, and literal rock bottom. When we pull addicts out of the rapids, they become the real world changers. Thank you for your consideration. 

That’s my own college kid who inspired me to chase this dream. Petra grew up on the filming set of Fit2B, obtained a high school diploma and associates degree at age 17, and is nearly done with a bachelor’s degree at just 20 years old. Before leaving home for university life, Petra noticed how sad I was and told me, “Mom, your story isn’t over yet just because you’re done raising us and we don’t need you as much. Other people need you.”

I also want to thank all those who encouraged me to take this next step, especially my husband, my parents, the Fit2B team, and close friends. For writing letters of recommendation that boosted my confidence to continue, I’m especially grateful to Marcia Bachle at Restored & Revived who has taught me so much about how to support people in crisis, to Kelly Dean who provided my own core rehab and helped me make Fit2B “TummySafe,” and to Grainne Donnelly who has been my first research research partner on diastasis recti.

Leave a comment…

Well, what do you think? Do you think I’ll get in? Do you think I’m crazy? Did you see any typos in my essay? If so, do NOT tell me because it’s already turned in, and I don’t wanna know HAHA! All I do know is that I’ve had an amazing 30 year fitness career while raising two amazing kids, and I’m not done yet! Plus, getting my doctorate would mean I’d be called Dr. Learn How nerdy and fun is that?!

P.S. I recently completed my “Breast Cancer Rehab Coach” certification, and you can read more about that on my personal website here {click}