Hi, I'm Annemarie Sampson.

My story

For 40 years I've helped people move better, get stronger, and feel at home in their bodies. I managed The Chicago Sweat Shop, one of Chicago's first aerobics studios, then opened my own gym, Second Wind, and became one of Chicago's first personal trainers for athletes and committed clients.

For the last 15 years I've coached cross country and track at Libertyville High School, building strength, mobility, and yoga programming around every phase of the running season.

I'm a runner too: hundreds of races, more than 30 marathons (three of them Boston), and three half Ironmans. I'd rather be on a trail than a road, and I still think the 5K is the hardest race there is.

Why PEAC

My own experiences with body image, over-exercising, and food shaped how I coach. Strength training changed things for me. It showed me what my body could do, not just what it looked like.

PEAC grew out of my work helping girls prevent and recover from injuries. When we surveyed current and former high school athletes, 4 out of 5 had never heard of REDs, and 7 in 10 weren't comfortable talking to a coach about their period. Girls deserve training, fueling, and coaching designed for them. PEAC is everything I wish every girl and every coach had.

What I do

• PEAC the pod: conversations with athletes, coaches, and experts, co-hosted with the Center for Creative Growth.
• peacathlete: strength, mobility, and mindset training, including return to sport after injury.
• The Enough Collective: open conversations about REDs, fueling, and recovery, with N2 Hydration.

Speaking

I speak with athletes, parents, and coaches about strength training, fueling, and female athlete health. Recent talks include Wildwood EDU (Wildwood Running), Her First Athletics, National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and the Andale podcast. Want me at your event? Email Annemarie.

Credentials

• Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Yoga Instructor, IDEA (International Dance and Exercise Association)
• Yoga Teaching Certification, YogaRenew
• Health and Wellness Coaching Certification, American Sports and Fitness Association
• The Science of Nutrition and Movement Certification, The Nutrition and Body Image Coaching Course
• Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• TrueSport Mental Wellness and the Modern Coach
• Certified Coach and First Aid Certified, Human Kinetics
• Digital Wellness Certificate, Digital Wellness Institute
• Also certified in strength and conditioning, Next Gen and Women Are Not Small Men menopause coaching, athlete nutrition, and prenatal wellness
• Bachelor's degree, Purdue University

Off the track: I'm more at home in the mountains than on the beach, a better cook than gardener (but I do both), pizza is my favorite food, and I dance like no one is watching.