611 South B Street, Suite 1, San Mateo, CA 94402
ph. 650.344.4420
monday - friday 7 - 11 am and 4 - 8 pm
saturday 8 - 12 pm
Well-located near the heart of historic downtown San Mateo, the flagship Breathing Room studio is surrounded by cafes, ethnic restaurants, shops, and plenty of available parking.
Coaches
Lesa has spent 14 years in culinary pursuits with travels spanning from Hawaii to Italy, to finally finding refuge in the
multiethnic cuisine of California. Although the chef world was exciting, a back surgery that resulted in broad lifestyle
transformation prompted creative pursuits into another field where Lesa's hands are once again her primary tool of connection
and communication.
Through her healing journey, Lesa discovered a passion just as deep as cooking - anchored in nurturing the body, mind, and spirit. She followed her calling into the relaxation specialties of Reiki and Massage Therapy in addition to pursuing a Masters in Naturology ñ natural living lifestyle integration-attained through natural nutritional selections.
She credits her successful recovery to her Reiki Master, a best friend, and two gifted surgeons, who wisely warned her from the beginning: "Our surgical repair will be responsible for only 10% of your healing success- the other 90% is what responsibility you take in your own wellbeing post surgery, and how well you listen to your body during this time." She credits a combination of caring for the needs of body, mind, and spirit as the key to her success, a learning process she endeavors to share with clients at Breathing Room.
Lesa understands the motivational challenges in creating true change, and that no successful lasting change is present without
motivational challenges. "That's how you know you are doing something good for you, when you get to the place where the
motivational resistance creeps in, and this is the moment of your truth- deep inside you know you need this change, and then
moment by moment you just keep making small choices toward health, being committed to the process. Good health is a lifetime
journey - not a suddenly arrived-at destination," she says, with a knowing gleam in her eye. Currently, Lesa is studying to
achieve her Personal Trainer and Nutrition Certification with the American Council on Exercise.
lesaatkins@breathingroomstudio.com
Jennifer enjoys motivating and inspiring others to make the lifestyle changes necessary to
achieve their health and fitness goals. She understands it requires courage to change undesirable
but familiar food and exercise behaviors. As such, she is committed to working with her clients to creatively
resolve current health and fitness challenges. Lastly, she believes laughter is a key component in maintaining
a positive attitude, which in turn supports weight control efforts.
Jennifer has a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Human Resources /Organizational Effectiveness. She has worked as an Human Resources professional in the bio-technology/pharmaceutical industry for over 15 years. Her work experience in the Health and Fitness industry includes teaching aerobics classes both domestically and abroad as well as educating Nutri-systems' clients on food related behavior modification strategies. Prior to working in the corporate arena, she served 4 years in the U.S. Navy, on board a salvage ship based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Currently, she is pursuing certifications in personal training and nutrition with the American Council on Exercise.
Jennifer loves being outdoors and spends as much time as possible cycling, roller blading, and jogging, and during
the winter months, snowboarding. She believes it's important to support efforts to protect and enhance our environment
and to this end is a member of the Audubon Society, Sierra Club and California Parklands (California State Parks Foundation).
One of her life goals is to visit every state park in America.
jenniferlemas@breathingroomstudio.com
NUTRITIONIST
Toni Bloom & Associates
Teaching Busy People How to Eat Lean and Healthy
At Toni Bloom & Associates we provide realistic and effective nutrition counseling services that can help you achieve your goals. Education is the backbone for diet and behavior change, but the support and motivation offered by a "nutrition coach" is what many people need for success.
Toni Bloom, MS, RD, received her Masters degree in nutrition from Penn State University and her Bachelors
degree in nutrition/pre-medicine from Ohio University. She founded Toni Bloom & Associates in 1991 and the
nutrition counseling and consulting company has since expanded to three office locations in the
San Francisco/Silicon Valley area. An avid exerciser, Toni is the Nutrition Director for the Pacific Athletic Club
and a sports nutrition instructor at San Jose State University. She is also the elected Past Chair of the
American Dietetic Association's Nutrition Entrepreneurs practice group
Cat, by her own description, loves life in a big way! She's passionate about travel, art, music, foreign
languages, cooking, family, and nutrition. Her love of food has changed over the years: she now has a new
respect for natural, whole foods instead of the high-fat, high-sugar processed favorites from her past.
She feels that she has now found the balance between eating good food and allowing herself a treat once
in a while. "The thought of never eating CrËme BrulÈe again is just too sad to think about!" Because of her newfound
attitude about eating healthy, coupled with dealing with diabetes and hypertension, Cat realized that
fad diets had only caused her to lose weight quickly, then gain it all back just as quickly, plus additional
weight besides. Over the last few years, Cat has slowly, safely and naturally lost 135 pounds, and is continuing
to lose until she reaches her own personal goal. ("When I'm carrying a 10 pound bag of potatoes, I say to
myself, 'I can't believe I was carrying at least 13 of these bags every moment of the day! No wonder my knees
protested and gave up on me!' ") Now, all of her health conditions have improved; she's off insulin, her blood
pressure is well-managed, and her mobility has improved tenfold from where she used to be.
Cat's long-term goal is to take a trip to North Africa to explore the Atlas Mountains, and cross the Saharan desert with her husband. "I know that it will be one of the most rewarding and physically challenging things I will ever do, but I also know that by continuing to lighten 'my load,' I can make this happen too."
Cat is currently working toward certification in Nutrition for Fitness Professionals and plans to continue in her desire to become a certified Nutritionist. She wants to share the practical, everyday insights and tips she has learned about nutrition and healthy eating with others who, like herself, are still on a weight control journey.