MEET THE GARAGE GYM LADY

Hi, I’m Abby, the Garage Gym Lady, and the proud owner of Blacktop Fit!

At 52, I’m a wife, mom to three amazing kids, fitness enthusiast, trainer, coach, and garage gym junkie who's passionate about women and beginners get started in their fitness journeys.

• My daughter is a D1 collegiate rower, crushing it in her sport.

• My son is a 2x Team USA Junior Olympic Weightlifter, USA National Champion, 3x Gold Medalist, 3x Pan Am Bronze Medalist, and ranked 13th in the World at the Junior World Championships

• My daughter is a talented Cosmetologist and Nail Ninja!

• And, of course, our Best Gym Dogs!

With  30+ years of teaching, coaching, and training experience, I’m passionate about fitness, education, and helping people—especially women—discover the power of lifting weights and getting stronger, especially as we age. learn to love lifting weights, getting stronger, and embracing the grind that leads to growth.

I specialize in helping women 40+ who are beginners, new to strength training build confidence, master the basics, and unlock their full potential through personalized coaching in my signature, "Wing Woman" Program. (These services are available for a fee, as I focus on providing individualized support.)

 The Playground is a free online fitness resource—work at your own time, space and pace!

Own your fitness journey—no matter where you’re starting from!

It all started in 2008. I felt like a beginner—extremely out of shape and hadn’t exercised seriously since high school sports. I was a busy mom of three kids under 4, and my body hurt ALL the time. I felt 80. I thought, this can’t be what it feels like after having kids and getting older and being a mom.

Running 200 meters felt like a marathon—sometimes, it still does. I could barely jump on a curb without support. Ten-pound dumbbells felt heavy. I was weak, frustrated, and ready for change. Ready being the key word.

About 8 months after one of my babies, I decided to try a bootcamp in a park. That was the moment everything shifted, the light bulb went off.  I realized it wasn’t just about my body—it was about feeling better, stronger, and more in control of my energy and mindset. That was the start of my journey. I'll never forget that feeling.

It took years of raw, messy, relentless hard work to get where I am today. The coolest thing...the pain in my body stopped hurting and the greatest lesson I've learned is fitness isn’t a straight line to success. It’s tough, gritty, unpredictable, and always worth it, 110%.

Now, as I face perimenopause and menopause, I see how essential my fitness and strength have been, and will continue to be, for my well-being as I age.  The habits I’ve built have carried me through these life stages.

It’s never too late, and we’re never too old to start. I will not let age change me. I will change the way I age.

I never imagined showing up at a bootcamp class in the park would change my life in the ways that it did.  I’m passionate about helping women over 40 reclaim their fitness, strength and confidence.

These Top 11 Fit Tips have kept me grounded, realistic, and moving forward. Maybe they can help you, too.

• Seeing people, especially women, get fitter, stronger, and more confident is truly inspiring.

• The moment when the focus shifts from the number on the scale, body image and realizing what you're capable of—loving newfound strength and muscle—that’s when the real magic happens.

• Being part of little wins, small successes, and watching how life outside the gym improves—that’s where true progress lies.

Favorites:

• Lifting heavy, dumbbell snatches, slamballs, cleans, squats.

• Workouts that challenge me and make me question life and if I’ll finish.

• The calm, focus, and energy post-workout.

• The feeling of being wrapped in a weighted blanket all day.

• Burpees? Yes, please!  Especially if they come with box jump, pull-ups, or weights. Devil’s Press = FaVoRiTe!

Least Favorites:

• Bodyweight movements: push-ups, planks, running.

• Anything requiring coordination

• I may dress like a Jazzercise gal with leg warmers and a sweatband at times, but I run into walls walking and mix up right and left ALL the time.

Education & Certifications

• B.A. Journalism & Mass Communications, Iowa State University

• M.A. Education, William & Mary

• Barbell Rehab, CrossFit L1 (x2), CrossFit Kids, CrossFit Olympic Lifting, CrossFit Gymnastics

• The BrandX Method (ACE equivalent)

• NASM, Precision Nutrition, GGS Coaching Certification for Women Materials

Experience

• 30+ years of combined teaching and coaching experience

• Worked with all ages and fitness levels: 3-year-olds to 70+, beginners to advanced athletes

• Experience in personal training, small groups, gyms, homes, parks, schools, businesses, and online coaching

Specialties

• Strength & Conditioning | Functional Fitness | CrossFit | General Weightlifting | Resistance Training | HIIT | Core Training

• Expertise in coaching women over 40 and beginner/novice strength & conditioning

Fitness Achievements

• 16+ years in fitness and still going strong

• Masters Athlete: 2x Top 200 in the World CrossFit Open/Age Group Online Qualifier (45-49)

• Top 10% in 50-54 Age Group

Additional Roles

• Special Education Aide, Kindergarten & Preschool Teacher

• Former Co-owner of The Spanish Clubhouse for Kids