Last Visit: Jun 8, 2009 8:34pm Last Forum Post:Never Last Photo Upload: Jan 18, 2009 1:00pm Last Profile Update:Never Last Blog Post: Dec 8, 2008 1:38pm
I was a hardcore ballerina with pretty bad patella tendonitis by the time I was 14. By 15, I was told if I wanted to dance again, to join the local gym and do leg extensions. Then one day during gym class, the teacher put me on the universal leg press and I could press 500 lbs the first time out. A couple of years later, after my freshman year of college I wanted to dance professionally and needed to get back in shape. I heard my university held the largest collegiate bodybuilding show in the nation, the Mr. and Ms. Rutgers. I picked up the dumbbells that summer (1987) and was determined to win. I taught myself everything - and I won the overall eight months later.
Fast forward to 2005. I had put on a lot of weight, lost some - but had more to lose. I had just had ankle surgery to tighten loose ligaments in my ankles. As soon as the boot cast came off, I started my job as personal trainer with an aircast still on!
Within the year I was back in action. I found a new form of postiive-focused aeorobics and bagan to kickbox and even jazz dancing. The rest is history so to speak.
Why I Love It:
Weightlifting has always been meditation. From the moment I walked into that first gym, it was like my body led me exactly where it needed to go.
Aerobically, I am a passionate dancer and recently dicovered a passion and gift for aerobics. Sweating and moving are integral parts of my life.
How I Stay Motivated:
It's easy - I key in to what I love to do every single day of my life. As a trainer and teacher knowing that I help to change people's lives is the fuel that lasts forever.
BB Accomplishments:
Overall Champion, Overall Best Poser and Middleweight Champion, 1988 Mr./Ms. Rutgers Bodybuilding Competition
Middleweight Champion and Overall Best Poser, NPC NJ Classic Bodybuilding Championships, 1988
Overall Best Poser and Middleweight Runner-Up, NPC National Collegiate Bodybuilding Championships, 1989
It's the 20th anniversary this year since my last bodybuilding show in 1989 and I am winning my first figure show this year!
Goal (Long):
So after getting in the best shape of my life in 20 years, this summer I re-tore the ligaments in my ankle I had surgery on three years ago. I am currently on crutches but this has only made my desire to compete even stronger.
Last May I paid a visit to my friends at the Muscle Mill in Milltown NJ after an almost 20 year absence. Their first reaction was why I wasn't in the show! It didn't even take five minutes sitting in the audience watching the women's physique to know I would soon be back on stage.
I am no stranger to injury. In 1988, after my first two shows, I suffered what I was told a dance and bodybuilding ending injury. I tore my gluteus medius, which took the better part of 6 six years to heal.
Really, my biggest challenge is overcoming what I have been told I have - hyper mobility syndrome. It's the reason why the ligaments in my ankle needed to be sewn to the bone and the muscle tore off my hip. I have tendonitis in nearly every other one of my major joints.
I was born to move however and three years ago I rededicated myself to fitness and became a personal trainer. My passion to move and lift is stronger than ever!
It is going to be the ride of my life this year. I already have the body of my dreams back.
Ironically, I am only 8 pounds from my first competition weight in 1988. However, I am ready to build some muscle!
The victory team is being assembled: fitness coach, aerobics mentor, and strength coach.
It's 2009 and I'm gonna shine!
Read your profile. You're one tough cookie. And making us 40-somethings look good. Great job showing that it's not an inevitable downhill slide after 35-40.
Well hope to see good results.I start back in gym mon from 2 weaks of being out of gym I will post some picks myself once I am back full swing wishing u the best in 09
