I was born in Des Moines, IA. We moved to the great state of Texas when I was five years old. My father was the kind of person who did not allow his daughter to participate in sports. (Old fashioned I guess) So I never really was an athletic child, although I did like gymnastics and did that on my own until I became too tall for the sport. For that, I became very academically inclined but along the way, I became overweight.

 

When I was eight years old, I remember watching a bodybuilding show on Wide World of Sports. I thought to myself “Wow!! Those are the most incredible bodies I have ever seen!” And from there, I had always had a great appreciation and admiration for the discipline and dedication these athletes had. (Didn’t ever think I’d be one some day!) As a teenager, I developed eating disorders because in school I was so tormented by the other students about my weight. I went from 145 lbs. of pure fat to 116 lbs. of pure fat! But at the time, it seemed logical.

 

By the grace of God, I met someone who trained regularly and new how to eat properly and they got me started on the path to recovery. They bought me my first Muscle and Fitness and Flex magazines and I was hooked on bodybuilding. Although it took several years for me to get focused, I learned that this sport is for the long haul and not something you can do in your spare time. It is a lifestyle. It’s like making a diamond. It takes time and pressure. By 1998, I met my trainer Ricky Gates and we have had an incredible journey since we started training together in 2000. My competitive nature is what drives me to hopefully, reach the pinnacle of my sport and beyond.