I am from Northern Virginia, born and raised!
I grew up always trying to be a tomboy, even though it went against my parents' plan for me to study piano and dance.
I convinced them to let me start martial arts lessons, and from day one, I was hooked!
I trained under Grand Master Ron Jenkins at Karate Sports Academy in Warrenton,
VA. My experiences training and competing in martial arts shaped me more than anything else in my life. I am very
grateful to my parents for supporting me while I chased that dream. I am also extremely grateful to Grand Master Jenkins
and his wife, Carolyn, for teaching me to never accept limits and to always push myself harder today than I did yesterday.
Luckily, through my martial arts training, I also found
weight training! Once again, from the first time I picked up a dumbbell, I couldn't stop. I learned to lift
with the guys, and I got started lifting early on (14 years old), which means I can put up some serious weight!
I continued to train and compete in martial arts throughout college. My martial arts experiences played a huge role
in shaping me to be a Fitness competitor, and I am so thankful for all that I gained from that part of my life.
I went to college at West Virginia University where I
met my husband, Dan. While in Morgantown, I worked as a Personal Trainer at Iron Sharpens Iron, a Personal Training
Studio. We moved to New York City, where I worked as a Trainer at New York Health and Racquet Club. Our final
stop is in Raleigh, NC where I saw clients at Personally Fit before branching out on my own. I love to help others
achieve their personal goals, and believe my experience and knowledge in exercise and nutrition are my best
tools for doing that.
Luckily,
when I moved to Raleigh, I was unable to find a martial arts school that fit what I was looking for. At the time, it
was a big disappointment. Now, I see it as a blessing. I put my energy into weight training and set aside my competitive
instincts...and then, I found Fitness! From the first time I saw a Fitness show, I knew that was my future. I
began my first prep in April of 2008, and haven't looked back since!
I am now an IFBB Fitness Pro and the 2009 NPC National Fitness Champion. My goal was to win my Pro Card the year after
my first show, and I did it!!! It's been an awesome journey so far, and I have been fortunate to meet some
amazing people in the world of physique sports. I have an absolute passion for Fitness and everything related to
it. I believe that being a competitor is not just about a season, but more an everyday lifestyle that we lead.
I cannot wait to see where this path takes me, and I'm glad you're sharing it with me!
