Tiffany Yoo
Name: Tiffany Yoo
Program: Health and Fitness
Level or Degree: Senior
What are you involved in that you would like featured on the School of Kinesiology website?
I created Live Love Fitness LLF Instagram (@livelovefitnessllf) out of my passion for health and fitness. I am a major mental health advocate and post “Monday Motivation” posts weekly which is a favorite among people who follow me. I’ve received numerous messages from people feeling more supported, and that they look forward to those every week. My Instagram motto is, “If your mind isn’t in the right place, your body will follow.” I only post those type of posts on Mondays, but constantly post mental health-related things on my story.
After seeing how much my post every week was helping others, I decided to create a mental health event that I hosted on the Diag on Friday, September 20, 2019. I had representatives from different cultural organizations come and share their personal story as well as sharing my own. I also had CAPS In Action and Kines lecturer Heidi Buchele Harris come and speak, and raised money for a non-profit organization, Hope For the Day. The event was through Live Love Fitness LLF, however, since it is not a student organization, the Asian American Association helped me with being able to use the Diag. The event was featured in the Michigan Daily.
How has the School of Kinesiology prepared you for your post-graduation goals?
I am able to explain to clients the science behind how their body moves, exercises, motor control, nutrition, etc. Instead of just saying this is how to do a certain move, I can also bring in the physiological aspects of it and why things happen the way they do. With all the research I've had to do in my classes, I feel more confident in my explanations and more credible that I am able to give a scientific explanation to questions I may be asked. Through the great education I’ve received, I was also able to get my National Strength and Conditioning Association certification earlier than when most people receive it.
What makes the School of Kinesiology unique?
The community feel is different due to the small class sizes. You can see the passion all the faculty have in not only what they are teaching, but in making sure that their students understand and do well as well. Having all my teachers know me by name, and truly wanting me and my classmates to succeed, is why I love Kinesiology so much. They truly help us to become the "leaders and best."
What is your most memorable moment with the School of Kinesiology?
Being accepted into the school after cross-campus transferring from LSA. Starting in the School of Kinesiology my sophomore year changed my college experience. I found what I am truly passionate about, and can genuinely say I love going to class. Before, I had realized I didn't enjoy my classes because I wasn't really interested in them. So far, I've been interested in every single class I've taken for my Health and Fitness major.
What's your "a-ha" moment - a time when your perspective shifted?
Learning the physiology and motor control of the body. I am able to relate what I'm learning to my career (I am a certified personal trainer). I like how I am able to not just say how to do something, but be able to explain how our body is able to do those moves and how our body actually builds muscle, break down macros, etc. Certifications don’t go as in-depth as we do in our classes, which makes me feel like I have an advantage. I met other interns at my internship who were in a kinesiology program and either were my year or graduated already, and they didn’t learn as in-depth in subjects like we do (exercise physiology, motor control, nutrition, etc.).
The community feel is different due to the small class sizes. You can see the passion all the faculty have in not only what they are teaching, but in making sure that their students understand and do well as well.
Tell us about your favorite experience in your program.
Being able to apply what I've learned during my internship at Equinox. During my internship, I was able to ask scientific questions and help other established, high-level trainers figure out some client cases. I earned a lot of credibility in their eyes as they asked me for my opinion after observing and hearing what I've learned.
How have you changed academically, personally, or professionally since being admitted to the University of Michigan and the School of Kinesiology?
The close interactions between the professors and students in the classroom has allowed me to feel more confident in what I am learning. Before, I felt like I wasn't really learning and just memorizing and relaying information for the tests. Now, I feel like I am truly understanding what I am learning.
What is your favorite thing to do in Ann Arbor?
Going on long walks, exploring different areas with friends. In Bloomfield Hills, where I grew up, you can't really walk anywhere, so I really love being able to walk to different places. I love being able to walk most places, rather than driving everywhere.