after high school, I gained more than just the "freshman 15"...for me it was 50+ pounds! At the time I was working weekends at The Conditioning Spa in Greeley. The late Willie Morton inspired me to change my life and my body. I had not even realized that I had gained the weight...I thought they just started making clothes differently! One day I got a picture back from a trip and "saw" the weight for the first time. I went to my mom's house and she pinched my cheeks and said, "grassello!" which is "fat" in Italian. I decided to call our family friends, Mike and Nancy Hunter, who trained people and promoted a local bodybuilding contest. (The Aloha Classic) I began training with them in August of 1997, at 162lbs and 28% bodyfat. I knew the only way I would change was to have a goal. Although Nancy was skeptical, I set a date and was determined to accomplish the goal. Just 6 months later I competed in bodybuilding at the NPC Northern Colorado. At 108lbs and 12% bodyfat, I took 5th place.

It makes me feel complete and in control.