When I got back from Iraq, I decided that I wanted to knock a competition out...kind of a bucket list item. And I did. I got in pretty decent shape for me and actually did 2 competitions. But life happens, as it often does, and I left the military and started nursing school at Duke. For anyone who knows anyone who's been through nursing school, it is full of long hours, days where you eat too much and days where you don't get to eat at all, stress, anxiety, tears and celebration. I have one semester left and I hate how I look and feel right now. I've gained 10-15lbs and have lost a lot of my strength and muscle. But.....I realized that I can't keep blaming nursing school. So, I want to take this last semester and show myself, and everyone else, that if you're priorities are right, you can be successful, healthy and happy all at the same time. As cliché as it sounds, I need to do this, and I need to do it now, so that I know I can before I start the even more arduous career of nursing. All in! That's my new motto.