When I was 19, I was overweight and looking for a solution. I had tried every fad diet, diet pill, and had no success. I joined an aerobics class and discovered how much I liked exercise. I started losing weight and feeling better about how I looked and felt. I fell so in love with health and fitness, that I had to learn how to share this with others to help them too. I earned my BCRPA fitness instructor’s credentials and started teaching aerobics classes. I also started studying Kinesiology as I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. Unfortunately, life had other plans for me. Due to personal circumstances my educational journey had to be postponed, and my career path lead me in a different direction.

I continued to pursue my own fitness goals while I started my new career. I loved running and it was my primary source of exercise. I would challenge myself by signing up for small races, fun runs, etc. Again, life threw me a curve ball. I developed osteoarthritis in one of my knees, and the condition worsened to the point I was no longer able to run. At this point I fell into a depression, and I was lost as to what I could do for fitness. The knee continued to get even worse still, and I ended up with a complete knee replacement. Between the immobility and depression, I had gained 40 lbs. Once I began to recover from surgery, I started getting back to walking on the treadmill, and using the elliptical. But I felt something was missing for me, and I was just going through the motions. I had no plan, no goals, and no structure.

One of my gym friends was awonderful influence on me. She introduced me to meal planning and discussed body building and competitions with me. I had never really done weight training before. If I did, it was only on the machines and there was no rhyme or reason to what I was doing. With her recommendation I sought out a Nutrition Coach that had experience with competitive body building clients. My first meeting was so intriguing. I really wanted to try this new approach, but I had never been able to stick to a “diet” for more than ten days without falling off. My coach and I agreed that we would start with a lifestyle program

I had to learn to eat. To eat often, and in the right portions. I needed to drink more water and prioritize healthy sleep patterns. After three months of continuous effort, consistent meal preparation, and honest communication with my coach, I decided to train for a body building competition. My first competition prep was great, until the pandemic shut down our show, 10 days before show day. I was devastated, but I was not going to give up. It was 11 months from start to stage day. Let’s just say it was a crazy year to try and compete. I was 58 competing against all ages in my first competition. I didn’t place; in fact, I came dead last. But I was so proud of the changes that had occurred. I felt confident and beautiful. I was going to do it again. One year later, I competed in a 55+ category and came in first. In total I have done three shows, and I placed first in 55+ in the last two, and second in 45+ in another category. I loved the structure and knowledge I had gained in the last three years, and again I felt compelled to learn how to share this with others. I studied to acquire my Nutrition Coach certification, to compliment my knowledge of exercise principles.

And now I am so excited to join the Bravus team as a Lifestyle Coach, working with Grace and Andrew.

You don’t have to enter competitions or be competitive to reach your health and fitness goals. For me it was a motivator. For you it may be your health is changing, your mobility is lacking, your strength has decreased, you may not like the way your clothes are fitting. Take it from me, you can make the healthy changes that will bring about a better physique, and a happier frame of mind. All you need to do is start. Connect with me and we will work together to help you achieve whatever it is you are willing to work for. I can hardly wait!