My Fitness Journey isn't like most. I have never been overweight...In fact I have always been in shape.

 

Although I have been in shape for so long there have still been fitness challenges I have faced mentally...

 

I started off as a Runner! Running was my LIFE- it consumed everything I did and every thought I had. Like most runners I had this idea and dream set in mind to go to the Olympics and win the "Gold." I put so much pressure on myself, running sometimes became a negative thing in my life.

 

I studied Art at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. I thought I wanted to be an artist, I mean I really had a talent, but I wouldn't put much effort in class and still got A's! I didn't try because I was going to the Olympics; all I cared about was practice and working my butt off physically. I went for 5 years just to keep running on my scholarship. Life was viewed through a very small window that I didn't understand at the time. I had no future plans besides training to become a professional runner!!

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Setbacks 

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Right after college I was in the best shape I had ever been in. My body was insane and I was so fast! The following summer after graduating in 2013, ran a half marathon. It was an amazing feeling running in Chicago, IL and having people I didn't know say my name in the crowd. Shortly after running so well I had a horrible hamstring injury in my right leg. Of course, a water skiing accident! I could barely lift my leg let alone run, but I still believed I would run professionally one day. Two months after my injury a professional coach contacted me to start running for him and his team, Speed Factory Athletics. He is an amazing coach, Richard Anderson a very sharp man. I was ecstatic. Unfortunately I could barely start to run. It was challenging me mentally more than ever. Needless to say my training came in spurts of 3 months on 2 months off and so on due to life. I moved 6 times in two years! and got married to my husband of 5 YEARS! There was 1 great year I put in all my effort, but I realized it was more important to make money now vs waiting to possibly make more as an elite runner.  

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Why Personal Training???

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​Now... I am currently an online personal trainer. I had started lifting in high school at 14 years of age due to getting a D in P.E. I did not study or care to know the "History" of different sports. So, that second semester I switched to weights class. There was a specific moment that made me want to get strong. During Homecoming there was a Mr. and Mrs. Flex awarded to two seniors. The woman would flex her biceps, a man his legs. As a freshman I thought it was the coolest thing! Only seniors could win... So I set out to win Mrs. Flex! The 4 years in HS I knew I WAS going to WIN. Four years later needless to say I won!

 

Having lifted weights since 14 years of age, I had a lot of natural skills to train myself and others. I have been lifting weights since 2004 and personal training since 2013. Training clients is so rewarding. It is fantastic to see people become more confident, and also change lives of their friends and family around them. When clients push themselves to the next level and find new strengths I am in "Awww" and live for those moments. 

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Dreams can CHANGE and that's okay...

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Although I am not running professionally I am helping others in their lives and that is just as rewarding as winning "GOLD."

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CHANGE is Good!

 

After getting past the mental blocks of thinking I was destined to run I physically wrote down what it was I enjoyed about running and put my energy into something new...THE WBFF! Man, how my life has changed. I am now a WBFF Diva Pro and just received my 2nd WBFF Miss Diva Fitness USA crown in November 2020! This has changed the trajectory of my life. Before I started running I had always wanted to be a model. This is something I had put on the back burner because I didn't fit the Image of 5'8"+ tall model although I will brag here, my measurements and weight were perfect- just needed it all to be 5 inches taller. Anyway, I hope to motivate and inspire people that it is okay for your life to get off the path you thought it would be because bigger and better ones seem to come with a little faith and a lot of perseverance and dedication. Headed into the 2021 New Year I am now going to coach the Best of the Best for Posing! I love to welcome yawl to the Pristine Family and can't wait to grow together. XOXO

 

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