Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC)

Hey! I’m Thomas.

I’m a displaced Appalachian (and Chicagoan of fifteen years) who loves to sing to my cat (Theobold), cast arcane spells in World of Warcraft, murder houseplants, shuffle on the dance floor, and compare myself to a squirrel.

I also love to lift heavy things, swing metal objects, slam rubbery spheres, jump on boxes, jump off boxes, jump over boxes, balance on unstable surfaces, and a variety of other squirrel-like activities that sound odd when described out of context.

I work one-on-one with people who want support in changing something in their lives. Losing weight or gaining muscle. Running faster or becoming stronger. Come back from injury or prevent injury.

You’re probably here because you’re looking for someone who will work with you on a fitness or lifestyle goal. I’d love to help. I made this page to try to answer some questions about my background and give you an idea of who I am, so you can decide if I’m the right fit for your goals. I hope we can work together. 🥰

How I Got Into the Gym

I’d put on a few pounds when I went back to school to get my doctorate. I was surrounded by thousands of undergraduate, jacked guys who looked like they had been lifting hay bales their whole lives. (Since this was in Wisconsin, they were also all blonde, so it had a Village of the Damned vibe.) As a lead in the fall opera, the director wanted me in underwear on stage for two love scenes. I watched as a few people close to me began experiencing the health consequences of a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition. It was the perfect storm: vanity and health. It was probably helpful to have, or to find, multiple motivations to go to the gym. So, I started working with Priscilla Peterson, a five-foot former cheerleader and mother of nine who could strike fear in the hearts of adults with her workouts. (She is so good.)

How I Started Working With Folks

I got into coaching folks for the same reason I got into teaching music: I worked one-on-one with caring, enthusiastic, knowledgeable coaches who showed me the value of a healthy, active lifestyle. I find it so fun to explore what I can do and to be pushed to do better. And coaching people on fitness and nutrition is a natural extension of my music career and was a way to work with more people in ways that are meaningful to them.

How I Approach People

I am a cheerleader, not a drill sergeant. My goal is always to build you up and make you smile (or laugh) after you’ve put in hard work and caught your breath. I may push you, but I won’t break you or make you cry. Also, I don’t have “clients.” I have never liked this term. Our time together is centered on your wellness and growth, not on a monetary transaction.

Folks I Work With

Well, for starters, I’ll work with anyone who isn’t under a doctor’s orders not to work out. But I have worked with a variety of people from the very beginner to the very athletic, pre- and post-natal folks, seniors (including those with joint replacements and osteoporosis), and folks coming back from or working through injuries. So, if you’re interested, I’m willing.

How My Workouts Go

What we do is based on what we need to do to hit your goals and the equipment available to us. Some people want to get jacked, some people want to lose weight, some people want to be able to move with less pain. You can do all this with fancy equipment or just body weight.

If I come to your house, I’ll bring what I have, which includes kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, TRX, and other toys. And we can use whatever you have at home. If we meet at your gym, then we have whatever they have. And if you have preferences, we’ll do that!

That said, what do I love to do? I’m most in my element when it’s high-energy and we’re working with balls, box jumps, tires, speed and agility drills, TRX, battle rope, or kettlebells. Have you noticed the squirrel logo? I call the workouts where we use all these things “squirrel days,” and those are my favorite days. But a solid “let’s lift heavy things” day is also fun. I tend to “superset” exercises, meaning we pair 2 or 3 exercises together in succession to get you more bang for your buck.

ABRIDGED CREDENTIALS

Formal Education

  • Doctor of Musical Arts (Performance) | University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Master of Arts (Vocal Pedagogy) | Texas Woman’s University

  • Bachelor of Arts (Music Education) | Alderson-Broaddus College

Professional Certifications

  • Personal Trainer | National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
    - Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
    - Behavior Change Specialist (BCS)
    - Virtual Coaching Specialist (VCS)
    - Sports Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES)

  • Nutrition Coach | National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

  • Essentials of Performing Arts Medicine | Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA