Women Share Their Stories and Trekking Experiences

Preparing early is the key and I’m glad I started my journey with Sheri. Patient and professional: that’s Sheri. She adapted the workout routine to my needs and schedule but most important of all she made me feel more confident that I could do it!
I can’t thank her enough and highly recommend her work. Thank you Sheri!

Got it done in 35 walking days with energy to vacation another couple weeks in Europe. Next up–2015–feeling a little too cavalier because I wasn’t carrying a pack on the Le Puy route through SW France, I let real trek training slide. Big mistake–the route is a real workout. I did it but had leg, hip and foot pain throughout the trek. Checked in with Sheri upon return and with urging sought help from a physical therapist. Round Two 2016–mended so seriously trek trained with Sheri for The Way of St Francis, Italy, carrying a pack. It was probably the toughest trek so far, and I was well trained and ready. The trek was amazing and wonderful, and I thanked Sheri every day I was on the trail. And what is great this time–I’m doing after-trek maintenance with Sheri (Round Three). Why lose the strength and stamina you’ve gained when you can continue with outdoor trek training with Sheri in our wonderful local parks and hiking trails. It’s worth it!

Sheri prepared me not only for the Pilgrimage, but for all other spiritual/earthly treks I hope to challenge myself with in the future. Using the personalized exercise calendars she prepared with warm-ups, hikes and cool downs, my muscle strength and endurance slowly increased. With her sharp-eyed assessments of my form and gentle corrections, the right muscle groups were worked. When I realized that my left side balance was poor because of weak ankles and knees, she incorporated the internet exercises I found into the routine. She was very careful to include exercises that were gentle on the shoulders since I was recovering from rotator-cuff surgery.
Was I physically ready when I put my foot on the Camino de Santiago on my 68th birthday? Physically, yes! Mentally, of course! Being flexible and strong in body and spirit enabled me to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment at the end of 18 mile days; not exhausted, but refreshed and ready to visit with other pilgrims, before retiring for the next day of the journey. Working with Sheri was not only delightful (flexible, non-pressured, concerned, gentle, exceptionally qualified) but subtly helped increase my confidence to know that I can not only finish the Camino, but physically fit enough to enjoy it!

I hoped not to use the services that carry backpacks for pilgrims unless absolutely necessary. After meeting Sheri at a local Camino meeting I was impressed with her positive attitude and curious about her services. I signed up after her complimentary consultation and committed to the twelve-week training program. It was the best thing I did to prepare myself. Sheri gradually helped me improve my balance, core strength and legs in particular. I learned which side of my body was compensating for the other due to past minor injuries and was able to strengthen what needed the most work. Sheri worked with my schedule to add weight and increase distance of hikes in preparation for the Camino. I would have added weight in too aggressive a fashion if she hadn’t made the suggestions she did. My husband benefited as well because we did most of our training walk/hikes together. We weren’t sure if we were truly prepared as we headed out from St Jean…but found that we were! I carried my pack the whole time and didn’t have any physical issues. I would highly recommend working with Sheri. I believe she will help you achieve your goal whatever it may be!

I loved having the weekly session with Sheri and the specific-to-me workout program. I didn’t have to think about how I was going to train on any specific day. I just grabbed my sheet and did what was on the calendar. Far from being cookie-cutter, Sheri adapted my exercises and schedule every week to adapt to my fitness and scheduling needs. Plus, her expectations of what I was capable of far exceeded what I thought was necessary to prepare for my trip. This allowed me to sail through the physical demands of riding with a fully-loaded bike and focus on why I went to France – the history, people, art & architecture and food (especially the food!)
Sheri’s knowledge of the body and the different muscles needed for different activities shaped my routine and made my fitness level more well-rounded than I could have done on my own. For example, she had me focus on lateral movement (side-to-side) that has truly increased my range of motion and flexibility. I doubt I would have considered that on my own. Plus, she actually got me to DO the regular stretching that I know is a hallmark for fitness. I have actually changed my thinking about how stretching is “just another part of any exercising I do”.
The EFT and RH were excellent complements to the physical training. Any transformational journey (including the one called life) necessitates balancing the physical, emotional and spiritual parts of our being. With Sheri’s compassionate guidance, I was able to focus on all three.
Beyond the results (which were significant) , I just enjoyed spending time with Sheri. She is an interesting, compassionate and professional person. I looked forward to our weekly sessions (even when I hadn’t been incredibly diligent). Thanks to Sheri for an incredibly positive and effective experience!

I needed some help and signed up for personal training. Sheri was inspiring and supportive. Our weekly workouts were challenging and personalized being careful of my physicality and pushing to improve. Sheri’s wealth of knowledge, expertise and creativity with designing specialized exercises was incredible. Receiving detailed workouts and a schedule assisted me in gaining both core strength and endurance. Sheri’s attention to detail and encouragement helped me improve.
I am back out hiking, thanks to the work we did. Because of the hurricane in Hawaii closing the road part of the time I was in Hawaii, I was not able to trek to the top of Mauna Loa. My primary goal was to hike to the 10,000ft level before I turned 60 this year, which I accomplished. It was a solo hike and incredible. The time on the mountain was reflective and healing. The beauty of the lava and tenacity of plants growing was inspirational. The night sky at 10,000 feet in the middle of the ocean was awesome. I am grateful for Sheri’s help!

She had recently returned from her journey to Spain where she had witnessed several people physically struggling on the trail. My sister and I decide to take her up on the one hour free consultation. After a two hour no-pressure meeting in her home we felt compelled to sign up for Sheri’s coaching program.”

Before working with Sheri I was dabbling in a little swimming, running and yoga. She helped me focus in on what I really needed to work on. But also set up a schedule with all my other cross training activates. What I appreciated about Sheri is her very specific training for the muscles groups we will need to walk strong and without injury. Not just lower body but strengthening my core and back.

On my first visit she was diligent trying to figure out how my body ticks using a Functional Movement test. She works hard to help personalize a fitness program to meet your body needs and also you’re time restraints and other activities.

Picking her brain about gear and about Spain is awesome. She has fresh information and a relaxed attitude. I would highly recommend Sheri and now look forward with confidence to my upcoming Camino. Thanks Sheri!”

The result was that I walked 500 miles without injury, never once falling, and I arrived in Santiago ahead of schedule. My body was able to handle every challenge it faced, no matter how difficult or dire. Sheri’s knowledge and ability to work with the body is amazing. It is a privilege and a blessing to work with Sheri as she continues to customize what I need to fine-tune my body and move in the world with confidence and authority. I am blessed and deeply thankful.”

She came highly recommended and I was impressed from the beginning. Sheri is not only a comfortable, friendly person to be with, but she is the consummate professional who knows all about bones, muscles, tendons, and alignment.
After completing ten bi-monthly sessions with her, complemented by her suggested workout sessions, I felt like I became a 45 year old again. I was so much stronger with my core, my balance, and my aerobic activity. I went from not being able to do any full push-ups to being able to do 23 perfect push-ups in a row.
It was also a bonus to experience Sheri’s EFT sessions, which were interspersed in our routines. They not only helped me face and diffuse chronic issues, but I have used EFT to improve my sleep. I continue to use the EFT pressure points practice to relax in other stressful situations. Now, on to those mountains in Nepal, for I am ready!”