There is nothing more empowering than the day in your life you decide to take control of where your future brings you. My name is Heather Herindeen. I am an NPC Bikini Competitor located out of Vernon, CT. My passion for the weight room and fitness lifestyle started years ago and has continued to grow throughout time. My first real introduction into the industry occurred spring 2011 when I did my first photo shoot with Michael Misialek of MTM Photography. I fell in love with shooting, but even more in love with the satisfaction I felt upon creating and achieving every goal I set forth in the gym. For a couple hours a day, you get to become your own superhero..you set goals, you hit goals, you grow stronger and you become smarter. You build confidence, willpower, faith and strength with each goal you create and then hit. As my knowledge and experience continued to grow I found the courage to enter my first fitness competition. Upon researching the organizations I could compete with, I chose the NPC for the level of commitment and the "balls to the wall" attitude that competitors in the organization all appeared to have. I set my sights on the CT State Championship and the Hartford Europa. After embarking on a 12 week prep, I took home 2nd at the State Championship and then was thrilled to achieved 1st and Overall in bikini at the Hartford Europa. My intentions for the spring of 2013 is to grace the stage with a stronger package, packed with the same amount of energy and presence I am known to have. I aim to continue to achieve, inspire and help people ignite the spark within themselves to think more positively, work harder and commit to living a happy, healthy lifestyle they can be proud of.