Hi, Friend!
I am so glad you found your way here. My name is Mara and I am the person behind The Revival Lab. I am a food scientist who turned personal trainer.
I was born and raised in northern Germany. Most of my childhood revolved around my grandma's kitchen table, teaching me the art of cooking. Cooking for my mom and I became a regular task at nine years old, pushing me to master budget-friendly yet nutritious meals—basically how to make something out of nothing. These life experiences led to me majoring in Food Science at my university many years later, a field that naturally spoke to me. I craved a deeper understanding of how food was produced and its effects on our bodies.
As an undergrad student, I also pursued certifications as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. But things got worse before they got better. I became obsessed with calorie counting and meal prepping. I overtrained and left my body unsatisfied, which led to binge eating. It was either all or nothing. A box of candy was gone faster than you could imagine, and I would hate myself afterwards for “failing.” Despite being deemed "average weight," I battled unhealthy eating habits and internalized societal ideals of beauty. I realized, as someone who studied food and trained others, I had to heal my relationship with food and with myself. Up until this point, personal development tools were still uncharted territory. To bridge this gap, I immersed myself in books, started therapy, and embraced my failures and triumphs to uncover the best tips, tricks, and tools. My mission now? To share these valuable insights with YOU!
A year ago, I completed my 200h Yoga Teacher Certification, and since then I’ve been adding it to my repertoire and weaving it into the work I do with my clients. Integrating yoga and its philosophy has felt like such a natural extension of my holistic approach to health and well-being.
One of the most unexpected yet wonderful things that happened to me was meeting my husband Kyle, who was a professional basketball player from the U.S. We met in Germany by chance and fell in love. Our love story led us to California, where I completed my master's degree in Food Science at the University of California, Davis. Settling in Davis, I began working with my first clients, guiding them toward a better sense of well-being. Despite a fulfilling career in the science lab, I discovered my true calling in helping others embrace healthier lifestyles!
Most recently, I stepped into the most rewarding role of my life: becoming a mom. My baby boy is my greatest joy and my biggest motivation to stay strong and healthy. At the same time, motherhood has taught me how challenging it can be to make time for yourself when your responsibilities shift. This experience has deepened my empathy for my clients and strengthened my belief that self-care doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be possible.
Life isn't just about work—I love spending time with my family, making them go on spontaneous adventures, exploring vegan eateries, hanging out at coffee shops with friends, eyeballing recipes I find on Pinterest, reading more books about personal development, working on the next DIY project around the house, breaking a sweat at hot yoga, hiking, running, and moving my body in any way that brings me joy. Fun is my not-so-secret ingredient for sustainable success, and I aim to share joy and laughter with my clients!
If you're seeking a trainer who is unapologetically authentic and encourages you to be your best and most genuine self, you're in the right place. My goal is for you to feel REVIVED, EMPOWERED, & SEEN, and above all, to be YOU! Driven by real connections and a commitment to vulnerability, I believe in facing hard questions and doing challenging things to foster growth. I'm here to serve with my skills, to help, teach, train, and to show you your strength. Let's embark on this journey together!
