How I Started My Fitness Journey
Growing up I was always the tall girl that modeled (I'm 5'10). I lived for the stage. Whether that meant modeling, dancing or singing. Me and everything in my life when I was growing up could be described using two words: "girly-girl." I had many people in my family, my dad primarily, who wanted me to play some sort of sport because of my height but I was always reluctant. I feared it would take away from my modeling and make me a tom boy.
When I was in high school I received a letter in the mail about a beauty pageant. I wasn't interested at first but when my mom told me that she had competed in a pageant in New Jersey, I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps. I competed and failed miserably. I had no idea what I was doing. However, it lit a fire from within and I was determined to get that crown!
In the years to come, I became addicted to pageants. I wanted to be better in each one that I competed in but I was always told that I needed to work on my physique. In 2011, when I competed for Miss Florida USA, I fell in love with fitness. I hired trainers that taught me about bodybuilding and how you can completely change your body with weights and proper nutrition. I was fascinated. It was my last year being eligible to compete in pageants because of my age but it certainly wasn't going to be my last time on stage.
I had heard of Johanna Sambucini, Miss New York USA (pictured here) who had competed in bodybuilding competitions after her reign and I knew I had to go for it. I saw how amazing her body looked and knew that that was something I wanted for myself.
Fast forward to today and I am a certified ISSA Personal Trainer and Nutritionist specialized in Diabetes and Strength & Conditioning. I've competed in 7 NPC Bikini competitions around the nation. I am still absolutely fascinated by the sport and the science behind it all.
My goal is to be able to light the fire within my clients like those trainers did for me years ago. I want to change people's view on working out and help them realize that working out can be fun!
