A bit about me:

It wasn’t until I was 17 years old that my older brother Aaron introduced me to weight training. At that time, he was preparing for his first bodybuilding competition. I began training primarily my lower body using Cory Everson’s regimen that was featured in Muscle and Fitness. I began to thoroughly enjoy weight training. I’d always envied muscular women and wanted to someday have a muscular physique of my own.

I was a chronic dieter most of my young adult life. Always striving to be thin, I was never happy with the way I looked, and constantly struggled with low self-esteem. Several years went by, and my training was very inconsistent.

From 1998-2002, I trained out of a power lifting gym. It was there that I began to develop a thick muscle base, however, I was still training my favorite body parts and neglecting my least favorite. I’d always thought I had the right genetics and a great body structure for bodybuilding, and I hoped that someday I could commit seriously to the sport, eventually competing.

It wasn’t until I approached my 30’s that I realized I needed to find a balance in my life. In October 2002, I decided to move to Florida. Living alone, away from family and friends, allowed me solitude to sort out my life and I became very focused. I set a personal goal for myself, to become competitive in the sport of bodybuilding. I knew before leaving NH that I wanted to become dedicated to revitalizing myself and to pursue a passion I’d had for many years.

It wasn’t long after joining Gold’s Gym that my friend and mentor, Amanda Dunbar, approached me. She thought I had probably done a show before. When I told her no, she was surprised and told me, “You need to do a show.” She encouraged me to compete and I became more determined to do so. While in Florida, I attended several bodybuilding shows and met a few IFBB’s. After just one year, I moved back to NH.

Bodybuilding is an awesome sport. It teaches you discipline, self-respect, nutrition, training, human sciences, increases your self-esteem and helps you to overcome fears. I never really thought about how involved it was going to be when I started. I love the rush I get on stage, posing, performing, and of course, winning!

To change your body is empowering. It’s the best example of who you are, and what you are really capable of, both personally and professionally. I will continue to broaden my education in bodybuilding, and would enjoy assisting others with their fitness goals.

I want to thank my Mom and Dad for their support. It hasn’t been an easy sport for them to understand, and in the beginning, they had no idea what I would be putting myself through. They have watched their daughter go through a process of deprivation, suffering and transformation.