I did not grow up in a fitness minded family. We were well off at first until I was in middle school. Then that's when hard times hit-until I left home for the military. We survived on ramen, corned beef, and whatever my parents could buy. I had no self-esteem, confidence, or voice. I lived to only make people happy but was so dead inside. I joined the military to experience the world and become independent. I served for three years but got honorably discharged because I just didn't believe in myself which caused me to fail my fitness test. After the military, I married the love of my life who I met while I was in the Air Force. He introduced me to weightlifting, although I gave him hell for it. I was scared of failing which was why I always gave him a hard time whenever we worked out together. Fast forward to today, and I am a stay home mom & wife aspiring to become a competitive bodybuilder.

It makes me know that I am a STRONG woman in every area of my life. It is my voice, my identity. I grew up in fear of others and myself so now I am freeing myself to become who I really am on the inside. I also want to be an example to my son and hubby. It hit me hard when I failed my post-partum glucose test but was diagnosed as not being diabetic because of a lifestyle change. Working out reminds me of my will to live.