Empower Personal Training

Katy Harris
B.A., NASM-CPT, Personal Trainer

Katy is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer and has received Nutrition Specialist training through American Academy of Sports Dietitians and Nutritionists.  Katy received her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Cognitive Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She graduated with honors and also has an extensive background in biology, spanish and philosophy.

Prior to becoming a personal trainer, Katy was a research assistant at the Duke/UNC Brain Imaging and Analysis Center in the Medical Center and the Department of Neurobiology.  She was involved in projects ranging from visual brain mapping in normal subjects to localizing language and motor skills in brain tumor patients in preparation for surgery.   While at Duke, Katy discovered her interest in preventive health and joined the Empower team in 2005, receiving the Employee of the Year Award in 2006.  She has also been a camp counselor and completed leadership training in outdoor education.  Currently Katy is a student at UNC-Chapel Hills’ School of Public Health pursuing a master’s degree in Health Policy and Management.

Although athletics has always been an important part of Katy’s life, playing basketball, volleyball, and soccer at the high school varsity level, she began to pursue a more serious athletic career in college and while working at Duke.  She competed at college nationals with the ultimate Frisbee team and has since gone on to play with the triangle women’s club team.  The team has consistently been in the top 5 teams in the nation and done as well as 2^nd in 2005.

With a background in athletics and scientific research, Katy has experience with clients of all ages and skill levels.  She understands the usefulness of physical activity for both mental and physical health and is dedicated to using exercise as a preventive health measure and lifestyle intervention tool.   In her free time Katy sings and plays the guitar and enjoys foosball, and pool, and spending time with friends.