Alyssa Elbridge (She/Her)
When I became a trainer in 2018, my goal was to create a compassionate and inclusive approach that was free from shame based tactics and honored the whole person – mentally, emotionally, and physically. The experience my body had with gym environments and the fitness industry culture in general was frustrating and confusing. After recognizing similar experiences in my clients, I wanted to be better equipped to support myself and the people I was working with, and this ultimately led me to become certified as a Trauma Informed personal trainer.
My approach is rooted in compassion and individual autonomy – you have a choice in what your experience of movement and fitness is, and you are the expert of the experience of your body. As a trauma informed trainer, I take an active stance against wellness culture, societal constructs, and oppressive systems that uphold the supremacy of thin, white, able bodies and place the worth of a human in cosmetic differences or the amount of sweat you produce. I choose instead to prioritize connecting to the individual needs of your body and honoring your nervous system. Therefore my approach is HAES aligned, body inclusive, and would not be possible without the knowledge and labor of BIPOC, queer, and disabled folx who have been cultivating body liberation and inclusivity practices for years.
All bodies are good bodies and deserve to be treated as such. I have experience working with folks who live with chronic and autoimmune conditions, as well as individuals dealing with injuries or pain. I encourage the use of environmental supports as needed for sensory differences, anxiety, and anything else that applies. I strongly believe that fitness doesn’t have a “look” and that we can leave preconceptions about how a session “should look” or how your body “should” behave at the door. Come as you are to your session, decide what your body needs for that day, and we’ll go from there.
When I’m not training clients I can usually be found hiking in the mountains with my spouse or snuggling my dog Junko!
