This is lengthy, but it's a letter I wrote to the man who first inspired me to pick up the weight.

Mr. Kordosky,



I wrote this yesterday and shared it with friends and family. One of my Soldiers, Rusty Earl found your e-mail address. It turns out, you were his high school principal. It's a small world.



This may seem lengthy, but I have a lot to say today. Maybe I should start a blog, but just the thought of adding more to my plate, makes my heart race.


WHS peeps, do you know how I can get a hold of Don Kordosky? I need to personally thank him. He is the first person I can remember who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He was my weight lifting instructor when I was 15 years old.



I had no idea when I picked that first weight up, it would change my life forever. He was the positive male role model I needed to succeed. I participated in almost every sport in high school, but I didn’t enjoy the game. I did it to get out of the house. Weight lifting was different. It was just me and the iron. I never felt judged. I made gains on my own, with no assist from anyone else. After about a year of weightlifting, Mr. Kordosky talked me into entering the Oregon State Weightlifting Championships. I agreed, but was terrified. He offered to take me since it was a few hours away and I was the only one from our school who entered. Again, he believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.



At the end of the day, I stood on the top step of that podium with a 1st place medal, a plaque and the new Oregon State bench press record for my age and weight class. It was the first time in my life I had won anything on my own. It was the little push I needed to give me the confidence to keep moving forward and challenging myself. That summer I began taking Tae Kwon Do and later entered my first tournament walking away with two 1st place trophies and more confidence. Later that year, I entered myself into our High School’s talent contest where I did a Tae Kwon Do routine on stage and finished my performance breaking 2 inches of pine board with a stepping side kick.


These “small” moments didn’t seem like much then, but when I look back and reflect, they saved my life. The iron kept me drug free, I didn’t party, I got good grades, and I didn’t drink or do anything that would give me any kind of negative attention. When I felt lost, scared, depressed, anxious, I let loose on the iron. And for that it saved my life.



I have done many stupid things over the years, but I have no regrets. A light bulb went off a few weeks ago when I realized, the deepest, darkest moments of my life, when I was struggling the most, I wasn’t actively engaged in physical activity. I had taken a break from the iron. I had lost my way. I lost focus. I truly believe exercise and nutrition is the only medicine I will ever need. By lifting heavy and eating clean, I’m drug free. I no longer need medication for anxiety, depression, acne, sleep or asthma. Just the dreaded sinus infection now and then.


It’s not all about physical strength and big muscles. Every gain I make in the gym carries over to my professional life as well. It gives me confidence and the drive to keep challenging myself which in turn, motivates others to do the same. I’m not pretending to have all the answers. I just know what works for me and what I need to be happy and at peace.


I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. People have showed up in my life at just the right time, to believe in me when I didn’t believe in myself. The last few days, I’ve been pretty stressed and I received random messages from a half dozen friends I haven’t heard from in ages. CSM Conley visited with me last week at just the right time, a couple people messaged me for training advice (who I will respond to soon, I promise) These people didn’t know I was struggling. Coincidence?! I think not. People cross our path for a reason. Slow down and enjoy those around you. Thank the people that make a difference in your life, because you never know when you may no longer have the option.


Don Kordosky, wherever you are, thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.



Kristin Clarke (Barnett)

Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army

I love the energy and confidence it gives me. I leave a good workout feeling like there is nothing I cannot do if I want it bad enough. I just plain love lifting heavy things with ease!