I have always been an athlete. I started my long journey with fitness as a ballerina in the Colorado Ballet at the age of 4. I was with that company until I was 14 years old, and almost moved to Russia for a season for dance, but that was thwarted when my parents divorced. My ballet dreams going up in smoke, I decided to take on swimming. I became the top swimmer in my heats (50 meter freestyle & 200 meter butterfly) and soon was competing in State.

After an injury took me out for a year, I went through a short depression and gained about 20lbs. One day, I overheard a girl say "wow, she's gained a lot of weight." and I was devastated. I decided to pull myself together and get back on the wagon, and good! I joined a gym that focused on cross-training with weights and cardio. I was back!

Unfortunately in Grad school, I found that I had literally NO time to get my workouts in between work, clinicals and classes. I didn't lift but still kept in some cardio. I felt myself slipping again. I recently saw a friend who competed in a BB competition and it stoked a fire in me.

Update: I am currently an athlete with Team BodyVisions. My coaches are truly the greatest motivators and push me to my limits. I would not have made it so far without their constant encouragement (and accountability checks!!) I am so PROUD to be a part of this team as I head to the National Stage this June.

Bring on the next decade!!!!

Working out and bodybuilding are the only things that can make me feel truly centered. Because I have always been active, my psyche is connected directly to the level of fitness I'm at, i.e., the more I work-out, the healthier my psychological state. There is truly nothing better than a muscle shredding work-out and the satisfaction of pushing yourself to your limit.