I was a competition cheerleader in high school and was required to take a strength and conditioning class. This was the first time I lifted weights and it felt natural. I continued training through high school and into college, but after my first year of college I fell off the wagon and gained about 30 pounds from alcohol and poor dieting.
After graduating college, I decided to get back into my "fit" lifestyle. I moved to Arizona with a friend and met my husband who is a personal trainer. I asked him to help me lose the weight I put on in college so I could compete. We were well on our way until I got pregnant with our son. It didn't stop me. We casually trained through my pregnancy and a year after I had our son, I was ready to compete.
The show was canceled two weeks prior to stepping on stage. I was disappointed and then got pregnant with our daughter. Finally, five months after giving birth for the second time, I competed in October 2012 and placed first in my class. I'm currently training for my next show and keep up a healthy lifestyle.
My passion for fitness emerged from remembering how happy and healthy I was in high school and the beginning of college to where I was at the end of college. My diet was terrible. I was always tired and unhappy with the way I looked. I wanted to get back to training and feel better about myself. I looked into competing as a goal to work toward. I have never been a quitter and won't give up. It's fascinating how our mind controls our body. After a month of seeing results, I couldn't wait to keep going.
My husband, kids, and Temple Fitness family motivate me to live healthy. My husband is a personal trainer at a gym in Franklin, Tennessee called Temple Fitness. The owners, trainers, and especially my husband give me motivation and support to chase my fitness dreams. I want my kids to live a healthy, active lifestyle. It's my job to lead by example!
Social media (Facebook, BodySpace, Instagram) is a great place to turn for inspiration. I use it when I feel like I want to quit or skip a day at the gym. There are plenty of days when I feel like giving up, but seeing others work hard makes me want to work hard.
My future fitness plans are to continue competing. I'm competing at Battle of the River in Chattanooga (national qualifier) in hopes to make it to nationals. I want to earn my pro card, get supplement sponsors, and see where that takes me. The sky is the limit.
Eat a clean diet, lift heavy, and stay away from alcohol as much as possible if you want to achieve the best you!
My favorite competitor has always been Dianna Dahlgren. Besides the obvious amazing body, she is cute, spunky, and has that girl next door look I can relate to.
My husband is a huge fan of Layne Norton, so when he has an article on Bodybuilding.com, I read it. He's brilliant. I also enjoy reading the articles written by females because I can relate to them and get motivated by them.
Competition history
- Music City Muscle - Nashville, TN - 1st Place
- "Let's Go" by Calvin Harris (Feat. Ne-Yo)
- "Va Va Voom" by Nikki Minaj
- "What Goes Around" by Justin Timberlake
- "Womanizer" by Britney Spears
- "Savior" by Rise Against