"From wounds to wisdom."

I have always been the skinny kid. My weight always stayed around 155lbs, and no matter how much I ate, I could never gain weight. When I was 22 I found out why... I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Two weeks after the diagnosis my intestine perforated. I luckily survived, but my life had changed. I was even skinnier. The road to recovery was long. I now had a battle "wound" that would be shown every time I took off my shirt.

It was beaten into my head that having Crohn's disease was going to limit what I could eat, do, achieve. Common thoughts about people with Crohn's, is that they are skinny, unhealthy, and weak. I felt down about myself, my looks, and my condition... until one day I was sick of sulking and listening to other people tell me what I can and can not do. I looked in the mirror and told myself, that this is going to change.

I started out in my basement with a bench and bowflex dumbbells and I worked hard. I got down there just about every day. I ate well, and a lot. You know what? I was starting to see some results. Week after week I was seeing progress.

I am so pleased about how far I have come, considering where I came from...and I don't plan to stop anytime soon! The progress that is seen makes this lifestyle sooo addicting.

My scar, or "wound", is no longer a reminder of what I CAN'T do. It is a reminder of what I CAN!

The transformation you see after you've dedicated your time, energy and sweat is a high that is unexplainable. I surprise myself all the time with my progress, which keeps me coming back for more!

The acknowledgement and compliments, from people who realize and appreciate the work I've put in, are priceless and never get old.

My improved physique is an extension of my wardrobe, and is something I love to wear every day. Boom.