Body Transformation: Body Fat Meets Brute Force!

AGE 19 HEIGHT 5'6" WEIGHT 150 lbs BODY FAT 28%	AGE 24 HEIGHT 5'6" WEIGHT 140 lbs BODY FAT 11.2%

I was overweight in high school and remember being called "fat." It struck me and I nearly stopped eating completely and lost 35 pounds. By my senior year of high school, I gained it back by drinking alcohol when I visited friends in college. I had a drinking problem from age 18-21, got tickets related to alcohol, and blacked out often. It wasn't a good lifestyle.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after high school, but went into exercise science and fell in love with my college courses. I completed my associate's degree from Delta College in 2009 in Bay City, Michigan, along with my NASM-CPT/AFPA certifications. I got pregnant (unplanned) at age 21 and it changed my life. I stopped drinking and lost lots of weight after having my beautiful baby girl.

Six months after having my daughter, I had four-pack abs and was in shock because I quit drinking. A year later, I had six-pack abs. I was the girl who looked in fitness magazines and obsessed about woman with amazing physiques and abs. I never thought I could achieve it, but proved myself wrong. It's truly about believing in yourself!

I started by cutting out alcohol and eating clean. After I began competing, I hired Brandan Fokken to help me prepare for the 2013 Arnold Classic in Ohio. I read Brandan's articles on Bodybuilding.com and was inspired by his dedication and fitness education, so I joined Team Fokken. He's a coach and a good friend. I'm blessed to have his help so I can accomplish my goals.

Many women ask why I'm so motivated. I look in the mirror naked when that alarm goes off at 4-5 a.m. to go run. If you want something bad enough, you can and will make time. I believe Ashley Horner has the most amazing body and inspires me because she has kids too.

Dieting for a show is the biggest challenge in my life. To overcome the hard times, I listen to motivational speeches by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I'm excited about my upcoming shows and hope to find sponsors. As a single mom, it does add up and is hard to maintain.

If you don't fail, you didn't try. Failure is part of success; success is born from failure.

Everyone is a beginner at first. That's why it's so important to help others and support as much as possible.

Bodybuilding.com is a great way to connect with the fitness industry with great articles, trainers, workouts, and journeys.

It's good to see you're not alone and everyone has obstacles too.