This is a long story, but I'll give you the cliff notes. I have always been athletic and what some would call "skinny fat." I carried very little weight, but I had a high bf%...so basically, I had no muscle. I began noticing my weight gain when I turned 25 as if it were the magic number when all my food would multiply in calories by the hundreds.
I had never really had to watch what I ate before then, so I didn't understand what was going on. I began having medical issues before this in my early 20's, but those were mostly stress related. Then at 25, I was told I had a serious medical issue (what's a six letter word for scariest thing I've ever heard that starts with the letter "C"?!). Before that, I went through a divorce, abusive relationships to follow and at one point, I had no where to live other than co-worker's couches, guest rooms or in my truck. After reaching my breaking point, I sought counseling to heal my mind and began light training to heal my body. Unfortunately, the training I did (cardio junkie) had little to no impact on my physical appearance and I ended up with a damaged metabolism.
When I started trying to live a healthier lifestyle, I decided to go at it on my own - eating healthier foods, doing more exercise, practicing yoga and sending up a lot of prayers. How hard could it be, right? Then I took a two week trip to Italy (where I chose to live a little) and I gained 12 lbs. This put me at the highest weight I'd ever been at, and I couldn't believe my eyes or the scale when I got home. In tears, I decided to hire a trainer at HITCHFIT in Kansas City, and it was there that I found my love for living a healthy lifestyle. I also found my love for competing in the fitness world after my coach encouraged me to participate in a local show. I placed 5th in the fitness category with the WBFF in my first competition in Oklahoma City. Part of me was in shock for receiving a medal, but another part of me wanted more.
I then moved to Austin, TX with my job and decided to compete again, but this time - I trained myself. I competed in my second competition with the WBFF in Kansas City in 2014 and placed 3rd. I realized if I wanted to move up higher in the ranks, I needed to get my nutrition handled, as my metabolism was still damaged. So, I hired a nutritionist/personal trainer and worked with him for 3 1/2 months, using a macro plan (which was new to me, but awesome!!!). I'm participated in my 3rd fitness competition with the WBFF back in KC with the goal of going PRO in the fitness category. Unfortunately, I suffered from appendicitis and had to go through an emergency appendectomy three weeks before show time. My trainer urged me to get out of the show, but I had so much energy and effort put into it, I just couldn't see myself quitting when I was that close. I went and placed 2nd in the diva fitness category.
After the show, I met the amazing woman who won 1st and asked her who her coach was and what her plan had been like throughout prep. I decided to call up the coach and see what she could do for me, not with the push to compete again, but with emphasis on getting stronger than I've ever been and getting my metabolism back on track. I competed in my fourth competition in May 2016. I placed in the top 5, but after placing 2nd the year before, after surgery, this placement really messed with my head. I fell into a bit of depression and wondered if I should even compete anymore. I decided to stick with fitness, but start pursuing other areas other than just competing. I became a certified trainer, took on a few online clients, participated in several Bodybuilding.com challenges and became a sponsored rep for BPI Sports, Compete Every Day and the Clean Eatery in Little Rock. I'll be starting a YouTube channel soon as well!
In September, I went to Vegas for the Olympia expo and to do a photoshoot. Seeing all the competitors re-ignited the fire in me to compete, so I started looking for another competition. To my surprise, the WBFF will be hosting a competition in Houston, my home town, on May 13th, 2017, my 30th birthday! To see everything line up made me think it must mean something. So here I am training for my 5th show with the WBFF (same coach as my 4th)! Let's see where this year takes me! <3

I absolutely love pushing my body to its limits in the gym each morning. I love the feeling I get leaving the gym after a killer sweat session and the thought of, "YEAH! I just did that!"
I also love meeting new people in the gym or around town who tell me I inspire them. Those words mean the world to me. I truly feel like my calling is to inspire others to choose to live a healthy lifestyle. I've started a workout program in my office and everyone has been doing really well! I'm so happy when I see the smiles on their faces!!
Everything about working out makes me happy. Yes, sometimes it gets hard to keep up my motivation during comp prep, and yes, sometimes I do have to smack my own hand away from junk food, but the results are worth every moment of pain or overcoming weakness. This is my life now. I love every minute of it.
Check out my IG account: @ashleydraper87 and Snap: @sexyflex87 for motivational posts from me daily!