After university, I found myself left with about 30 pounds of extra fat and very little muscle. I considered myself "active", but I did not look the part. I started my career and quickly, got busy with work and going out with friends in the city. The weight kept climbing. I started running, doing races, playing team sports and this helped, but after a while I needed something different: A new challenge and a new way to shock my body. A friend gave me a copy of Oxygen magazine one day. I looked at the strong, healthy girl on the cover and decided I wanted muscles. I joined a gym and never looked back since. The desire to compete was always in me, but never materialized until we had our second son in 2010. A year after his birth, I made the decision to train for my first figure competition.

Bodybuilding has changed my life. Aside from the physical benefits, I feel more confident and alive. I'm a better woman, mom, wife, professional and friend. I am a strong role model to my kids and nieces. On days when I don't want to train, I think about them. It doesn't take long before my gym bag is packed and I'm out the door. I want to be around a long time. I want to run, swim and workout with my kids. I want to stay fit so my husband and I can travel well into our 60's and 70's. Competing in Figure is not only exciting and challenging, it helps me stay fit and strong year round. It teaches me to fuel my body with good food.