PASSION. It�s was drives me to be successful in life: in my faith, relationships with family and friends, my career, and my hobbies. Health and fitness has been a lifelong passion of mine that came naturally when I was young, but became harder and harder to maintain throughout college and the transition into professional living. As a three sport high school athlete, I was as healthy and fit as they come. Throughout college and after, I maintained an active lifestyle but desperately struggled to maintain my petite, athletic figure. I ran several half marathons, competed in sprint triathlons, and even continued my favorite sport in adult gymnastics classes. Yet, I could not comprehend my dissatisfaction with the way I looked and felt.

After seeing photos from a college acquaintance who competed in a figure competition, I asked if we could meet up so I could hear her competition story. I was immediately intrigued and driven to face a new fitness challenge. In January of 2013, through a mutual friend, I was given the name of my current coach, bodybuilding.com athlete Brandan Fokken, and began training under his direction. On March 23rd, 2013 I competed in my first figure competition placing third in my class, and quickly realized that my body was transforming at a faster pace than anticipated. Two weeks later, I competed in physique and placed second in my class. The same passion I felt in high school as an all-around, three-time state gymnast was back. I am completely hooked on this new lifestyle and cannot wait to see what my future in this sport holds!

PASSION. Just 13 weeks after beginning my training with coach Brandan Fokken, my body went from 14% body fat and 131 pounds to less than 8% body fat and 116 pounds. However, it wasn�t the numbers that I noticed, but the passion the drove me and the confidence I gained in so little time. As I stepped on stage for my first show, I knew I was in for continued transformation and many more competitions in my future. After my first show, I got messages on facebook from people I hadn�t heard from in years who had followed my training and competition journey. They were asking for fitness and nutrition advice and to be my �training guinea pigs.� I responded to each individual, and their messages stimulated more passion for me to help others transform their lives by educating them on the power of healthy diet/exercise and continuing to be an inspiration with the fitness path I continue to follow.