Since I was young, I have been involved in sports including: softball, volleyball, basketball, track, soccer, and dance/gymnastics. When I entered high school (late 2008, early 2009), I started to focus on certain sports; volleyball, basketball, drill (dance) team, and some track. We were required to attend 6AM weight lifting sessions in the summer and lift with teammates after practices during the school year. My sophomore year (late 2009, early 2010), during a volleyball practice, I tore my meniscus and sprained my ACL, which led to surgery, physical therapy, and being out of physical activity for 6wks. This injury was hard on me because I had just made the varsity volleyball team and couldn't play for the rest of the season. My junior year (late 2010, early 2011) I made 2nd Team All-Conference for volleyball and 3rd Team All-Conference for basketball. My senior year (late 2011, early 2012) I made 2nd Team All-Conference for volleyball and Honorable Mention at Twin Lakes Conference all Conference Team. I played on a club/traveling volleyball team, Iowa Central Community College Storm Club Volleyball, the winter of my senior year (2012). I received multiple scholarships that winter from community colleges and universities, but decided to play college volleyball at Iowa Central Community College and to continue my passion for the game. The ICCC Volleyball Preseason (summer of 2012) was the most challenging thing I have ever done; physically, mentally, and emotionally. We trained from 7AM - 8PM six days a week for over a month. We lifted, we conditioned, and we played volleyball. That preseason really tested me as to how far I could push myself. We were required to run a mile under 8mins and I did it! That season we went on to the NJCAA Tournament in Toledo, Ohio where we finished 7th in the NATION. I didn't really get to play throughout the regular season that year, but I finally got to show my talents at Nationals. I continued to play another year (2013) at ICCC and that year I was one of the captains. We sadly did not make it to Nationals, but it sure was one hell of a season. I was offered scholarships to continue playing, but even with scholarships, I couldn't afford the tuition. I currently attend BVU through the ICCC campus, which is cheaper and all online. After giving up volleyball, I started to become very lazy and eat very unhealthy. I gained weight like crazy and became very unhappy with myself. It wasn't until about late 2014, that I started to get back into weight lifting and working out again. Instantly, I became happy with myself. I haven't lost all the weight that I have gained yet, but that honestly doesn't matter to me. My goal is to be comfortable in my own skin and STRONG.
I love bodybuilding/working out because it makes me feel GREAT! When I get to throw heavy weight around, challenge myself, and become all sweaty, I feel beautiful and strong. During that workout, I get to forget about all the stresses in my life and focus on myself. I love bodybuilding/working out because my body deserves to be taken care and loved.