Bios

Erica-Lifestyle Changes
Specializes in weight loss and cancer survivorship
Chicago, IL

Erica has a wide variety of experience within the health field.  She started her education with a degree in Exercise Science from Indiana University.  From here she was certified as a ACSM Health Fitness Specialist and earned a masters degree from University of Bridgeport in Human Nutrition.  During this schooling she worked as a personal trainer at a large university, in a child's fitness facility, and doing in home work.  While working, she earned her third degree, a bachelors in nursing.  The summer after her extensive education experience she worked at a weight loss camp for 10-20 years old.  Erica worked as a bedside RN in oncology for 2 years before moving to an outpatient integrative cancer center. Most recently she has passed her exam to be a certified oncology nurse. 


Erica's goal is simple: she wants to help you to live a healthier life – a “whole” life. Adequate exercise and proper, balanced eating are an essential practices in a healthy life, but they don’t need to be another task on your to do list. Erica will teach you (and your family!) to incorporate exercise and healthy eating into your daily life, making it a part of your life. The program will be individually tailored to you specifically, depending on where you are and what you need. Whether it is a written exercise program that you do for a certain amount of time each day, or simple things you can do to help increase your exercise throughout the day. It is up to you!

Interested in doing more? She'll help educate you on the basics of healthy eating so that when you read the labels you know what they are saying.  We can go through what to buy at the grocery store so you don't feel clueless.  And what are the habits you need to acquire to help you reach your optimum level of health.  Every person's optimum level of health is different, but that doesn't mean you can't be the healthiest version of you! 

Ruth-RN, DIY mom
Specializes in DIY, health prevention, being a mom, and frugal living!
Grand Rapids, MI

Ruth was born into a large family in Australia and moved to America when she was 10 years old. Growing up on a tight budget, she learned to save her pennies at an early age. Whether it meant sewing or creating what was needed, or researching until a great price was discovered, frugal living was taught daily in her parent's home. She has been sewing since she was 8 years old and also loves to spend time in the kitchen; creating healthy, inexpensive meals is a fun challenge that she loves to tackle every week. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Harding University in Searcy, AR, which is where she also met her husband. After spending a year in the medical surgical world, she now works part-time as a RN at a plasma clinic in Grand Rapids, MI. Someday, she would love to participate in medical mission work overseas as well. 

When not at work, Ruth loves to spend time with her husband and young daughter, sew, craft, and find new recipes to try out on her friends at church. Her dream job is to stay at home with her baby, so she recently opened an Etsy shop to try to generate some extra income. BoundWithHope is home to handcrafted items with a cause as10% of all sales will be donated to charity. Whether a premade item, or custom ordered to fit your tastes, Ruth would love to create items especially for you! Check out her shop to learn more!

Catie-Hair Stylist
Specializes in helping you to feel confident and beautiful inside and out!
Fort Wayne, IN

Catie has been an athlete all of her life, placing great importance on physical health as part of a well balanced approach to personal well-being.  She competed for four years as part of the cheerleading, gymnastics and track teams in high school while balancing a heavy academic plate, active church membership, family, and friendships.  

In college, Catie continued to be a cheerleader at Indiana University for four years where discovered a strong gift of encouragement.  After graduation, she began working in a sales and marketing position where she developed a solid understanding of professional relationships. Tasked with working with a variety of personalities to get projects done, she used her creativity to jumpstart outreach programs and give back to her community.  

Catie has participated in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge and volunteered at sponsored can drives for the St. Mary's Soup Kitchen and a Lock-Up for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.   She has also arranged canned food drives at her place of work.

Catie currently can be seen blogging, balancing 2 jobs and educating others on how their appearance affects their overall health and wellness goals.  “Appearance plays a major role in self perception, confidence and can have a positive effect on a person,” she says. Catie is a licensed Cosmetologist for the state of Indiana.

Check out Catie’s personal blog for positive insights regarding everyday situations.  

Melissa-Pre-Counseling
Specializes in helping you become emotionally healthy (or stay emotionally healthy!) and in childcare advice and ideas
Chicago, IL

Melissa Mancini, is 25 years old, and originally from Youngstown, Ohio. She currently resides city of Chicago with her husband, and is finishing her undergrad work at Moody Bible Institute with a degree in pre-counseling. After she finishes her Bachelor's, she will continue her education by attaining a Master's Degree in a degree of a similar field from Moody. Her long-term goal is to be a private clinical counselor, but she would love to work for nonprofits focusing on the well-being of women and children along the way. In the midst of all of this, I hope to stay in an urban setting-- the city life is the life for me, I have found out! 

She has been a nanny and a teacher's aide for 7 years, and has immense training as well as experience with children of all ages. Melissa knows how to be fun but firm, and loves taking care of others' children. Most of her experience has been with infants and as a results she has learned all of the best sleep training methods. While she is currently not a mother, she hopes on day to be one. But until then, she will always be willing to take care of other people's babies for a price ;)

In Melissa's spare time her hobbies include painting, going for walks at Lake Michigan, trying different restaurants, traveling out to the suburbs, exploring the city, meeting new friends, and playing tennis. Her main love and primary focus in life is her walk with God, and she fully loves and follows Him and Him only. She has been married to her husband since December of 2011, and they love being a part of their church community! As of right now, their lives are about loving each other, and loving the people that God has put in their lives.

Amie-Pilates Instructor 
Specializes in helping relieve pain and discomfort from injuries
Chicago, IL

Amie has been teaching Pilates for over 10 years, in health clubs, boutique studios and in rehabilitative settings. She has studied with such notable teachers as Bob Leikens, Nora St. John, and Rael Isacowitz. She has completed three comprehensive Pilates certification programs, and currently qualified to teach Pilates through Body Arts and Science International (BASI).

In addition to teaching Pilates, Amie also trains and mentors new Pilates teachers. She is also a personal trainer and group exercise instructor and has developed creative movement programs for children, taught ballet, Zumba, kickboxing, belly dance, and specialized classes for those with arthritis and osteoporosis.

Her classes and lessons are challenging, yet safe, and are tailored to the individual. She wants her students to be confident and free in their bodies, and to achieve the strongest version of themselves, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.


Jamie-Yoga Instructor 
Specializes in introductory Yoga 
Chicago, IL

Jamie grew up in Chicagoland & attended school at Indiana University. She entered into teacher training in 2012 to deepen her yoga practice. After training, she felt a deeper sense of self that changed her outlook on light. After spending several years in the corporate world, she decided to pursue a career that was more yogic in nature.  Jamie loves to share yoga with beginners and seasoned practioners alike as each person brings a new sense of wonderment and knowledge to the mat. When Jamie isn’t exploring Chicago, she enjoys her family’s cottage in Michigan with her husband and two dogs for a few days of sun, boating, and, of course, yoga.