Five years ago I never would have thought Iâd end up with a career in fitness. My freshman year of college my diet was PURE junk, and I didnât see the inside of a gym ONCE that year! By the time I came home from school in the summer I was miserable about how I looked... I had put on 25 pounds. I started trying to eat better and lose weight but the truth is, I didnât have a clue about proper diet and nutrition.
When I went back to school in the fall I started working front desk at a gym and began to learn about strength training. I poured over books about nutrition and fitness magazines like Oxygen Magazine, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Fitness Rx for Women... I wanted to look like those women: strong, sexy, and perfectly toned!
I eventually decided I wanted to get certified and become a personal trainer. Once I started training clients I knew I had found my calling in life. There is nothing more satisfying than helping a person change their life- gaining strength and confidence, making goals a reality and improving their health and overall quality of life. I have a Bachelorâs Degree in Psychology and my background in human behavior and body image issues ties right in with the work I do with my clients.
Having found my passion in fitness I wanted to excel in the business. I felt that as a trainer I wanted to have the kind of body that people would see and think âI want to train with HER!â So I set a goal- compete in a local Figure competition. I trained and dieted for six months and competed for the first time in April of 2010. I have never looked back!
I have since competed in a total of 15 competitions. I now compete in the NPC Bikini Division, in which I am nationally qualified. My ultimate goal is to earn my IFBB Pro Card!
I am honored to say I am a Team MET-Rx Athlete, and I am proud to represent the best there is in Sports Nutrition. I rely the MET-Rx products to supplement my diet and take my training and my physique to the next level.
Train hard, my friends!
XOXO, Justine
Fitness and competing has changed my life. I have so much more self confidence and am a stronger, happier more positive person. I believe it has made me better in all aspects of my life- family, relationships, work. If you put yourself first and get to a place where you are 100% happy and comfortable with yourself, you are able to give SO much more to others!
I LOVE lifting... it is often the best part of my day. My workouts are MY time, away from the world to focus on my goals and pushing myself past my limits. And even though I don't wake up in the morning thinking "I want to eat fish and asparagus today!!!" I have come to realize I am SO much happier when I am fueling my body with good clean food and seeing AND feeling the results!