Susanna McDonald
CEO/Head Trainer
If you're working14+ hour days and de-prioritizing yourself, Susanna's been there. She founded Train With Susanna in 2020 to be the service she should have hired years ago. She graduated from Princeton University, started her career at Goldman Sachs, and was a fashion model in NYC. Susanna knows what it's like to push for excellence, but pay the price. For her, the cost was a cluttered mind, an unhealthy body, and a weak connection to her spirit.
Susanna's wellness journey began in 2018 when she took a vinyasa yoga teacher training that opened her up to spirituality. She then shaved her head, went on a 10-day silent meditation retreat, and flew to Ubud, Bali, a self-healing mecca, for two months. She has since stayed up on what's happening in the wellness field, including Ayahuasca, San Pedro, Kambo, Peyote, theta healing, water healing, energy healing, reiki, tarot, and western therapy.
Although movement was what brought Susanna into wellness, it was her study of nutrition and lived experience of regeneration that have informed her holistic coaching style. She loves working with high achievers who now ready to invest in themselves like they have in their careers.
Certifications
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Personal Trainer: National Academy of Sports Medicine
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Level1 Nutrition Coach: Precision Nutrition
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200 HR Vinyasa Yoga: Yoga to the People
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100 HR Traditional Hot Yoga: Hot on Yoga
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50HR Yin Yoga: Carlos Romero Livin' Inspired
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Pre-Post Natal: Anjali Yoga
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Animal Flow Level 1
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CPR & AED
Luke LaPointe
Rowing/Ergometer Specialist
Luke began rowing in high school in 2004. He competed for four years at Division III, Ithaca College, where he was a four-time NCAA competitor, leading the team to four consecutive 4th place finishes nationally. He was named CRCA All-American (First Team), NIRC All-Conference Team, ECAC Steward's All-Academic Team, and a CRCA National Scholar-Athlete. Outside of collegiate competition, he rowed and raced with the Pennsylvania Athletic Club, based out of Philadelphia.
Luke has 6 years of collegiate coaching experience (Div 3, Div 1) and two years' club coaching experience. He has taught people from as young as 11 and as seasoned as 70 how to row. He is passionate about rowing as a lifelong activity and a proponent of the many transferable life lessons the sport has to offer. His coaching philosophy is rooted in meeting clients where they are now and collaboratively creating a path forward for them to achieve both their fitness and broader lifestyle goals.
Certifications
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USRowing Level 2 Coach
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Yogabody Certified Breath Coach
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Safesport
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CPR, AED, & First Aid
Winston (Winnie)
Mascot/Joy-Bringer
Winston is a beloved Virgo. His frequent naps remind us to rest, and his love of ball-ie reminds us to follow our passions. You can count on him to breathe loudly into the microphone when Susanna is teaching.
Certifications
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Advanced Cuddling 2.0
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Ball Pursuit and Retrieval
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