My dear sister, IFBB Fitness Pro Sandy Grant, invited me to watch her "fitness routine practice" one day, and I had an epiphany right there while watching! I wanted to do this too! She and I had always watched the Fitness America Pageants, Miss USA & Cheerleading competitions on ESPN2. When Sandy started to prepare for her first show, I was a bit skeptical, but Sandy had always followed a strict eating plan, so I had no idea what it entailed.
She got me in touch with her nutritionist and fitness coach at the time, and I began completely changing my lifestyle. I had grown accustomed to late nights out with friends and fast food on the way home! Integrating healthy balanced meals with early morning cardio was tough at first. I took progress pictures every month, and I was truly amazed with my transformation. Sandy was with me every day in the gym, teaching me how to lift properly, motivating me to keep going when I was tired or discouraged, and was my ultimate cheerleader and best friend through my contest prep.
I started training Fitness and Figure Athletes in 2002, and haven't looked back! I find great joy in "Paying it Forward". My sister helped me find my joy in life in fitness. I hope that by guiding others, they too can find the happiness of leading a healthier lifestyle, and look fantastic while doing it!
Sandy and I have since moved onto different Trainers, Nutritionist & Choreographers... but we never forget about the people that helped raise us in the sport. We currently are with Mike Davies of the Fitness Factory (mikedaviesfitness.com) and are looking forward to each new season.
Everyone is different, and that's the best thing. What works for you today, may not fit into your long term goals. In fitness, your life is ever-evolving. It's a good thing! I learned that it's okay to try new things. Try different training types. Try a different way of eating. Explore what your body reacts positively to. See what you can stick to! I had to make some pretty hard decisions on changing my lifestyle, or so I thought at the time. It turned out that giving up my destructive lifestyle, moving on - past the folks that were holding me back from my potential, and getting my tush off the couch was the easiest choice I could have ever made. I am no longer a victim of my own making, of my surroundings.
I hope that with my experiences, I can lead you to YOUR Fitness path and give you the tools necessary to continue on, so you in turn, can pass the gift of fitness. You will make it okay for someone else in your life to finally reach THEIR fitness goals too.
I am an intense trainer that get's in your business. I want to make sure that we identify bad habits and nip them in the bud!
Everyone's got their own story, their own backgrounds, their own dreams and goals.
Let's get you to yours and beyond.
~Trainer Shannon
- Height: 5'6"
- Weight: 150 Lbs. Off-Season, 130 Lbs. Contest
- Status: Taken
- Division: Fitness Athlete, Figure Athlete
- Location: Bellevue, WA
- Hometown: Issaquah, WA
- Gym: LA Fitness, Bellevue, WA
Occupation:
- Independent Certified Personal Trainer, Sports Nutrition
- Fitness, Figure & Bikini Competition Coach
- Regional NPC Judge
- BSN Demo Representative
- Event & Talent Scout
- Seminar Speaker
- Photographer Assistant
- Writer, Blogger
Sites:
- Training: Since 1998
- Favorite Exercise: Walking Lunges
- Favorite Body Part: Quads
- Favorite Diet Food: Orange Roughy & Asparagus
- Favorite Cheat Food: Mexican Food!
- Favorite Workout Music: Anything that has a good beat!
Sports Background:
- Jr. Athletics: Tack, Volleyball
- High School Co-Captain Dance/ Drill Team
- High School Record Holder in Weight Lifting
- 2003 Emerald Cup Fitness, 4th Place
- 2003 Vancouver Natural Fitness, 2nd Place
- 2001 Emerald Cup Figure, 12th Place
- 2001 Vancouver Natural Figure, 10th Place
- 2000 Ironman Fitness, 7th Place
- 2000 Northwest Fitness, 9th Place