When I was around 16, I was in a relationship with someone who lived and died by the gym...and it got me focused and motivated in a way that made me want to do the same. The rest, as they say, is history...

It frees me. The gym is my sanctuary, a place all my own to lift, grow, move. As hard as it is sometimes, it has made me who I am today.

With all the stress in today's world, something I'd like to encourage is to look at the gym as the new anti-depressant. I've experienced immeasurable heartache witnessing those close to me seek happiness with a pill or drug. That has made me realize that having a healthy, positive constant in life like the gym is the best present you can give yourself...both physically and mentally.