About Rachel

Portrait of Rachel McDonald of Fitness with Rachel

Rachel McDonald

From my early childhood into early adulthood, my life was centered around dance. I studied both locally here in Santa Barbara and nationally with several professional dance companies.

Just as I became an adult, my body gave out on me in the form of tendinitis and knee failure, requiring surgery and rehabilitation, and my hoped-for dance career came to an end.

Fast-forward fifteen years until my mother-in-law introduced me to Zumba – and I became a dancer again, as well as an instructor! I was immediately concerned about aggravating old injuries, though, and even more concerned about subjecting a class participant to anything but the safest experience, so my education continued.

I am Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Primary Group Exercise Certified and I hold Personal Trainer, Senior Fitness, and Fitness Nutrition Certifications from American Council on Exercise (ACE), as well as an Advanced Cancer Exercise Specialist Certification from the Cancer Exercise Training Institute (CETI).

I am also Red Cross certified in first-aid, CPR, and AED use. I’m committed to staying on top of the latest scientific findings so my classes and personal training sessions will be safe and effective in addition to being fun.

I’m passionate about staying active as we age, and I’d love to share my love of fitness with you. 

Please feel welcome to join the Fitness with Rachel family in one of my classes or in a completely private one-on-one Personal Training session.

Love yourself enough to exercise, TODAY! I look forward to seeing you soon!