I got started on my fitness journey with kickboxing and jiujitsu in June of 2004, when I weighed in at a thick 185lbs after recovering from a brainstem stroke and being paralyzed for 8 months in June of 2001. I did well with the kickboxing and jiujitsu and lopped off 50 lbs within 3 months, competed for a while until June of 2005, I found out I had tongue cancer with lymphnodes that were effected as well in my neck. In August of 2005, I had my tongue, and all the lymph nodes in my neck removed, received radiation and chemo, a stomach tube and tracheostomy. I went down to a sickly 99 lbs and ate through a stomach tube for 15 months, but I tucked that damn tube in a sports bra and went back at my fitness journey less than a month out of surgery, beefed myself back up with protein, protein and more protein shakes to a healthy 115-120 lbs. The doctors removed the tube and I went full force into running spartan races and tough mudders after laying off jiujitsu and kickboxing due to my neck issues (getting choked out with incision site wasn't such a good idea lol) I did all the mud runs that I possibly could, did my Spartan trifecta and even ran the Spartan Beast on Killington Mt in Vt. which is quite a doozy in the cold I might add lol! I then decided it was time for a new venture. I have been lifting and doing boot camps since starting the mud runs in 2010 and was gaining mass in my arms, I figured if I laid off the running as much, I might have the ability to really build...so in 2013 I went head first into bodybuilding alone. I run on occasion, for the personal wellbeing, but I don't do the distance runs I used to and stick to hilly trails and 4-5 miles at max once in a while. I have been eating clean all along so progress is coming along. I measured myself from 2013, I gained .5" in each bicep and lost 11" in my hips from when I was a runner at 122lbs, 38x28x38.5 and 21%bf, I am now 146lbs, 38x28x29.5 and a lean 13%bf....good stuff :)

I love bodybuilding/working out bc it is my therapy. I have no control over what has occurred in my health battles, financial issues, etc....but my will....can't be beat. I throw the iron around and continually see progress and it juices me on even more. I go in the gym with a chip on my shoulder, feeling like I am being beat by the world and walk out feeling like I can conquer the world lol...beastette mode in effect and ruthless ;)