My Journey​
​I was born on October 18th, 1975 in Wilkesboro, NC to my wonderful  parents, Jack and Barbara, sister Annette and brother Jack. 

​​After being home for a few days, my mother had some concern in how my body was forming.  She took me to be checked out and after tests, learned that I didn't have hip-sockets.  If not corrected, I would not be able to walk.  So, for six months I wore a brace  on my legs to help the sockets form.  God had plans for me.

I have always been active.  When I was twelve, I became a cheerleader at my elementary school.  On the weekends, I clogged on a team that traveled the state.  I entered competitions while in high school for clogging, but as I got older, cheering became my focus.  After high school, I attended UNC-Greensboro.  I was used to being on the cheerleading squad, so I knew I had to stay disciplined on campus.  I found, though that I was just another college student trying to act like I knew what I was doing at the student gym.  I majored in Business Administration, but really wanted to do something in fitness.  "Maybe someday" I thought. 

Over the next several years, life brought many challenges and opportunities, both mentally and physically. In 2002, I was blessed with a beautiful daughter, Ansley.  I gained 50 lbs during my pregnancy and didn't loose very much of it.  I would sit and watch fitness shows and dream of being one of the instructors.  I would try to eat healthy, but didn't really know what food was doing to me on the inside.  I taught a couple of classes at the YMCA and thought of myself as fit.  I had a decent figure, but knew I wanted more.  I just didn't know what the more was.  I realized how much I was struggling with staying motivated to change my body.  I had pretty much settled into life as it was.

A New Adventure​
In 2010, Kristy, a great friend that I went to high school and college with, came to Wilkes.  It had been over 10 years since seeing her.  I took one look at her and was so proud of how amazing she looked.  She was one of the girls in that UNC-G college student gym with me.  She told me about the competitions she had been in and told me I should do a show with her.  It took me all of 5 seconds to say OK.

My mind immediately started focusing on training and eating clean.  I had started talking to a wonderful man, Glenn, who was so supportive of my decision to do a show.  He is a big reason for my success.  His knowledge of the gym helped me tremendously.  I also read all of the magazines, websites and books that I could to learn all that I could.  I felt great and was starting to look the way I always dreamed I could. 

Competing
​I entered my first ​​NPC competition in October 2010.  I finished 2nd in my class.  Glenn was just as excited as I was.  He had made the journey with me through the training and clean eating and knew the hard work that I had put in.  He also knew how bad I wanted to be successful. 

​​My second NPC competition was 2 weeks later in November 2010 and I finished 3rd in my class.  I enjoyed having professional pictures made and submitted a few to Oxygen Magazine in hopes of being published in the "Are You Next" feature.  In April of 2011, I was ecstatic to see my picture in Oxygen. 

I competed in three more NC NPC competitions and placed in the top 3 in each one.  Finally in August 2012, I won my class and quickly set my sights on the NPC National show in Atlanta, GA.  I did not place, but the experience was amazing and made me realize how much I love to compete.

​Destiny​​ 
I've taken a break from competing, but the mental focus that it taught me will never leave.  ​​​I realized very quickly that the human body is an amazing machine. Mental toughness is a required element if changes are desired. I also learned that what I eat makes up about 85% of my success. It's challenging, but I'm worth it...and so are you!
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In November, 2013, I took on something that has challenged me more mentally than anything I've done before.  Running.  When I competed in NPC shows, I would run for calorie burn.  Now, I'm running and trying to hit certain pace goals and averaging 20-25 miles per week.  I've entered 5K, 8K, 10K, half-marathons and recently ran The Bear at Grandfather Mountain, NC.The mental challenge of telling your body to keep going is unlike anything I have experienced.  Not giving up and facing fears is a constant challenge, but over time, your body starts to listen.  Once that happens, the sky is the limit.  

​​Strength training is still a huge part of my life, and thanks to the YMCA, I get to maintain my strength through teaching multiple classes each week.  I'm inspired daily by the people that surround me. 

I want to help people...period.  I believe that through all that I have accomplished, that's my destiny.  You have to be mentally strong to become physically strong.  You have to first want it mentally before you accomplish it physically.  It's a lifestyle that is a constant challenge, but it's worth it.  

​​​​​​​​​​I am thankful for my life and plan to enjoy everyday of it. 

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