Personal Info
How I Started
When I was very young, I suffered from a right sided cerebellar stroke. With no real adult guidance in my life and absolutely no grip on maintaining my health, I downward spiraled, mentally and physically. I smoked cigarettes from the time I was 12, and drank every night, never thinking anything of it.
My body was responding negatively in the form of seizures and terrible GI problems. I decided to make a change for the better, because I was sick of feeling like crap and I had read that you could cure your body with what you ate.
So, I started there. I began reading up on how to provide my body with the nutrients it needed to be strong and healthy. I started there, and I quit smoking and drinking. When I was stressed/ anxious, I did push ups and sit ups to ward off detrimental physical responses to the stress. A year later, I started walking/running every day, and it felt so great to do something positive for myself. Eventually, it became a routine. The side effects from my stroke weakened- no seizures, fewer GI problems, better self- esteem- but I was still starving my body, trying to control every calorie. I just didn't know any better.
A couple of years later, I found motivation from Bodybuilding.com- I saw what other women were eating; strong women with strong bodies that I envied! I started lifting weights, focused on being strong instead of skinny, and I've been addicted to THAT ever since. Some people call me crazy, because quite honestly, a lifestyle committed to healthy eating and working out is generally mocked by the part of society that rejects the entity all together, or at least that has been my experience. But I would rather be addicted to a positive, productive outlet than a much more negative, detrimental one.
I needed an outlet... It grew to much more!! I joined the Infinite Labs "I am Juggernaut" challenge in 2012, which is actually going on again NOW... and it changed my life, to say the least. I started learning from others- people who knew how to shape the body according to specific diet and exercise. I became intrigued; I learned more from others in the challenge each day- and every day, there were people stopping by my log to say, "Great job!" or "don't give up!" All I could think was: "Wow, there are other people who love this lifestyle too... and they believe in me!" If I had never joined, my life would never be the same. I started making better food choices- I had seen the final days of my 1000/ 1200 calorie diets and 0 carbs. I felt better and looked better. I was motivated to compete! I did- and I didn't do well in 2012. I was still too small, and not eating enough- but I was too ambitious. With the motivation of this bodyspace community behind me, I persisted.
I was fortunate enough to actually be one of the winners of said challenge. I went to the 2012 Olympia with Infinite Labs- gosh, I fell in love. I loved the company, the fitness world, the passionate people!! So new and refreshing and exhilarating! I even met my coach while we were there. From then on, my life had taken an even greater turn for the better. He taught me that it was okay to eat carbs. It was the only way to build muscle, and achieve my dream; looking like a figure girl at last :)
Often, when I look in the mirror, I still see the muscle- lacking former image of myself. It is hard to adjust to people asking me if I am a figure competitor.
I cannot express how much better, healthier, stronger, and happier I am at 125 than at 105. I want to show people everywhere how to eat better, live better, and move better..
which is why I am about to graduate with my doctoral degree in physical therapy, while concurrently coaching others in fitness and nutrition and maintaining my own :) I want to inspire. My job will never be done. I want to show others that they can get through it- that they are never alone- and that strength comes from within (and a little encouragement from our bodyspace friends goes a long way).
...And that strong is the new skinny ;-)
Thank you for reading!
#mightymouse
Why I Love it
I want to inspire those around me to live an active lifestyle and eat well. A healthy lifestyle seems to be ridiculed in a social environment, and maintaining healthy bodies seems to have been lost as a priority. I want my body to be a walking advertisement for the benefits of health and fitness, and I love to encourage others with my dedication to staying fit. This is a lifestyle- there are no magic pills that can substitute for hard work.
I LOVE to watch others progress as a result of their hard work- that is the BEST feeling.