Hi, I’m Tamara
My Story
Movement has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Washington, I became the youngest elite gymnast in the state. Gymnastics taught me resilience, discipline, and hard work—but it also came with heavy pressure from coaches, parents, and myself. By the time I was 15, my body was worn down from constant pounding, and I stepped away from competitive gymnastics.
High school reignited my love for athletics. I cheered, competed in high school gymnastics, sprinted in track, and choreographed gymnastics routines. I discovered pole vaulting my senior year—a sport that fit me perfectly. That year, I became state champion with a PR of 12 feet and earned a full-ride scholarship to Washington State University.
Athletic Journey
At WSU, my freshman year was a whirlwind: I broke school records, ranked #1 in the world for two weeks (held a top 15 spot that year), became an NCAA All-American, and made my mark on the collegiate track and field world.
Then came injuries, mental battles, and setbacks. I struggled to meet the expectations placed on me—and the ones I put on myself. Despite major challenges, I climbed my way back, placed at conference championships, stood on the NCAA podium, and qualified for the Olympic Trials.
Even when results looked successful on paper, I often felt like I wasn’t “enough.” I tied my self-worth to performance, and when I finally retired from pole vault, it left a hole I didn’t know how to fill.
Coaching, CrossFit, and the Search for Purpose
I transitioned into coaching gymnastics, working at the club my mom owned and building routines for young athletes. Though I loved the connection, I realized I hadn’t yet unlearned some of the harsh coaching methods I grew up with. It wasn’t until I became a mother myself that I truly understood:
Kids aren’t small adults. They need patience, developmentally appropriate support, and unconditional belief in themselves.
Parallel to coaching, I chased fitness through every avenue—kickboxing, yoga, running, lifting. Eventually, I found CrossFit and fell in love again with pushing my limits. I qualified for CrossFit Regionals multiple times and was an alternate for a Games team. It filled my competitive cup for nearly a decade, but it also took a toll on my body.
Then, life handed me a wake-up call. The combination of motherhood, personal growth, and a pandemic forced me to confront something deeper:
I had spent my life living for others.
I had to start living for me.
Inner Work and the Birth of Vibe and Thrive
Over the past five years, I committed to therapy, self-reflection, spiritual growth, and reconditioning the deep-rooted beliefs that kept me stuck. I learned that my worth isn’t tied to achievement. That I am enough simply by existing. That movement, gratitude, and self-love are daily practices.
Fitness became joyful again—not something to prove anything, but something to celebrate my body. I found love in functional fitness, yoga, sound baths, and dancing. I began creating, moving, and living from a place of joy, not expectation.
And from all of this growth, Vibe and Thrive Wellness was born.
My Philosophy
- Fitness is a celebration, not a punishment.
- Movement should be FUN and empowering.
- You are enough exactly as you are.
- Comparison is the thief of joy.
- When we take care of our bodies and our minds, we thrive.
Credentials
- ACSM Certified Personal Trainer
- Former NCAA Division I All-American Athlete — Pole Vault, Washington State University
- Former USA Gymnastics Coach and Choreographer
- CrossFit Regionals Qualifier (Team)
- 20+ years experience in coaching, choreography, and athletic development
- Ongoing education in functional fitness, yoga, mindfulness, and positive coaching methods