About me
My name is Gretchen Burman and I live in South Orange with my two amazing daughters, supportive husband and two adorable little dogs. I love to travel, see live bands, and spend time with family and friends. I enjoy working out, getting stronger, learning, and pushing myself.
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My goal as a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist is to help my clients by educating and motivating them to maximize their results in a safe and sustainable way. I work with everyBODY who wants to take their health and fitness to the next level…whether that’s hiking, lifting heavier weights, losing weight, more endurance or being able to pick up your grandkids.
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​As I age and experience more aches and pains, I am learning to listen to my body and adjust as needed. For me that’s more mobility, stretching and stopping when something doesn’t feel right. This sounds easy enough but I struggle to be "smart dumb." I feel strong so I want to push my limits, however my body feels differently.
My new mottos are…
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Fit, not skinny
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Train for another day
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Respect and listen to what my body is telling me
I want to keep moving the way that I want today and in the future. As an active person I understand the drive to return from injury safely and efficiently. My hope is to help others with this same goal.
My Story
My introduction to fitness was in childhood during my many years as a competitive gymnast. It taught me commitment, resilience, and courage. I can still walk on my hands today! I continued my fitness passion in high school by running track. After college I worked for Marriott for 15 years where I gave my heart and soul helping the hotels gain financial fitness. I left the corporate world when my daughter was three. After my second daughter was born I was ready for my next career adventure…
Author, educator, speaker
When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I was worried how I was going to help her reach her full potential. I put together a checklist of 12 life skills that my husband and I could proactively teacher her. I called it, “The 12 Cs” and it was very helpful having this consistent toolbox for my family. I wanted to help other families so I created Character U. Through my book, workshops and school assemblies, I shared my passion empowering elementary aged students and staff with the mental fitness tools to be their best selves. A major focus was helping them understand the importance to "Be the Boss of Their Thoughts." Our thoughts are so powerful and can be used to help or hinder our lives as children and adults. I continue to live The 12 Cs with my family and am so grateful I was able to help so many people.
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Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist
I work out to be healthy and strong so I can move and do the things I want. I found a love of learning about fitness and health that I never knew I had. I have had several injuries which led me on a journey to figure out how to exercise properly to avoid future injuries. Through physical therapy, personal trainers and my own trial and error, I have developed strategies to push myself in a safe and effective way to heal and avoid further injuries. This has taken me years to figure out. My thirst for understanding the biomechanics of how to push our bodies in a safe and efficient way led me to become a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist. I use my knowledge and experiences to tailor-make each of my client's individual programs. My goal is for my clients to achieve their fitness goals, move better and be stronger while avoiding injury. I continue my passion for learning from fitness, health, nutrition and longevity leaders so I can be the best coach for my clients. ​​
​I have completed several fitness races (Spartan Sprint, Stadion, DEKA, Sprint Triathlon, Rugged Maniac, and Tough Mudder. I am training for the DC Hyrox race in March and doing the Mud Girl Run with my daughter in June.
​I am definitely pushing my body to the limit! Don't worry, I won't work you this hard unless you want!
