A Chicago native, Erika empowers others to live their best quality of life through exercise. In her mission to help others gain optimal health, Erika created CORE Fitness, LLC.
Erika's personal wellness journey began over 25 years ago when her physician recommended a lifestyle change and refused to refill a medication that could be remedied with healthy eating and exercise. As a young adult, Erika suffered
a meniscal tear that led to knee surgery after years of failed treatment options. As a first time mom, Erika gained over 30 pounds as she balanced being a wife, homeschool mom and business partner. Despite the busyness, Erika still led a very de-conditioned lifestyle. In 1999, Erika faced the unexpected death of her sister, Monica. Suddenly, everything changed and Erika and her husband, Eric, faithfully accepted the opportunity to adopt their nephew to be raised with their 16-month old daughter. Daily demands grew and and within less than a year, Erika started experiencing recurrent back and chest pains. Ultimately, it took many years, doctors visits and even an emergency room visit by ambulance to motivate Erika to set an example toward change. Today, Erika continues to model an inner health, outer beauty mission. Erika promotes a "perfectly imperfect" fitness journey and considers exercise as a celebration for what the body can do to live more freely and fully with purpose. Erika's authentic passion supports living with intention and seeing challenges as opportunities to overcome.
Erika is married to her best friend, Eric, and has two young adult children, Malik and Lauren. She enjoys art, cooking, traveling and is an accomplished flutist. Erika currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Experience:
Erika's personal wellness journey began over 25 years ago when her physician recommended a lifestyle change and refused to refill a medication that could be remedied with healthy eating and exercise. As a young adult, Erika suffered
a meniscal tear that led to knee surgery after years of failed treatment options. As a first time mom, Erika gained over 30 pounds as she balanced being a wife, homeschool mom and business partner. Despite the busyness, Erika still led a very de-conditioned lifestyle. In 1999, Erika faced the unexpected death of her sister, Monica. Suddenly, everything changed and Erika and her husband, Eric, faithfully accepted the opportunity to adopt their nephew to be raised with their 16-month old daughter. Daily demands grew and and within less than a year, Erika started experiencing recurrent back and chest pains. Ultimately, it took many years, doctors visits and even an emergency room visit by ambulance to motivate Erika to set an example toward change. Today, Erika continues to model an inner health, outer beauty mission. Erika promotes a "perfectly imperfect" fitness journey and considers exercise as a celebration for what the body can do to live more freely and fully with purpose. Erika's authentic passion supports living with intention and seeing challenges as opportunities to overcome.
Erika is married to her best friend, Eric, and has two young adult children, Malik and Lauren. She enjoys art, cooking, traveling and is an accomplished flutist. Erika currently resides in Atlanta, GA.
Experience:
- Founder, CORE Fitness, LLC
- Bachelor of Science, Community Health Education, Clark Atlanta University
- Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM)
- Fitness Nutrition Specialist, National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- Barre Instructor Training (New York), Barre Intensity
- Mind and Body Specialist, yoga and Pilates, American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- Yoga Teacher Training, Academy of Holistic Fitness
- Yoga Renew 200-hour Teacher Training with specializations in Yin and Mindfulness
- Yin yoga 20-hour certification (Yoga Renew)
- Mindfulness 20-hour certification (Yoga Renew)
- Master Educator, Homeschool Curriculum and Program Facilitator 1998-2016
- Certified Medical Coder (specialties, Neurosurgery, Neurosciences), The Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
- Member, IDEA Health and Fitness Association
- Member, American Academy of Professional Coders
- Member, National Academy of Sports Medicine