1. How did you get into fitness competitions and what was your first competition experience like?

I played a lot of sports growing up and started going to the gym in college. I didn't start bodybuilding until after I had my 3rd child. I hired an online coach to help me get back to pre pregnancy shape. I stayed truly consistent, executing each day and they encouraged me to try competing. I stepped on stage exactly 1 year after giving birth to my son! I did well at my first competition winning my class, fell in love with the process and it inspired me to keep going.

2. How do you balance your family life with competing in fitness competitions?

One of the big mindset swaps I have done is that its not one or the other. Your family can't be separate from your competition journey. This is how you can easily burn out. Competing changed my daily habits and routines and therefore changed my children's habits and routines. They come along to bodybuilding shows. They watch me doing my cardio at home. They watch me prepare meals that are healthy for everyone. They watch me eating frequently to fuel my body for training. I try to model how important nutrition is in kids growth and wellbeing. We do family walks and they all play sports so its just an expectation in our family that we live a healthy lifestyle.

3. What are some of the daily and weekly routines and systems that help you succeed in both?

I have an extremely tight calendar. When you have children you have to be organized with your time otherwise it will feel like you don't have any. Also setting boundaries with things that you know don't serve you or your goals. I used to say yes to everything I quickly learned that you can't succeed at anything by trying to do everything. Hone in your vision for yourself and be laser focused.

4. What role does helping other women through your coaching play in your life?

There is nothing more rewarding than watching other women succeed and doing the things that they have learned through working together. To watch their confidence go through the roof because when you prove to yourself you can do this, you feel like you can do anything and then the world becomes your oyster.

5. What is your psychology informed coaching about?

This is really the acknowledgment that the mind and body are so deeply interconnected. The way you eat, the media you consume, affects how you feel. Most fitness programs and trainers ignore the psychological side of getting into shape. Most therapy ignores the body. That gap is where I coach. A practice in which we treat the whole person. Nutrition and fitness doesn't replace therapy. But it absolutely impacts emotional regulation, hormones, dopamine, serotonin levels, motivation and so much more. Exercise has been proven by science to change the brain. Science has also proven perceived self identity is stronger than "willpower". All of these factors influence one another.
My goal is to empower women, just like myself who are driven to succeed against all odds. To create a community to empower women to get in the gym and lift weights and increase their self confidence.

6. What is your mindset in terms of dealing with challenges in life and in fitness competitions?

We all face barriers in life to reach our goals. There will always be something to overcome and something standing in your way. It is really you versus you. The key is to keep going. Most people give up right before a big breakthrough.

7. Are there any role models in life or people that inspire you and you look up to?

My faith in God is my number one. It brings me peace in times of uncertainty & chaos.

8. What are some of your favorite books?

I have a list of books that I love to recommend to my clients. Some of my favorites include Mindset, The body keeps the score and Mind Gym.

9. What are some of you upcoming goals in fitness and life in general?

Currently my fitness business is growing and I am focused on serving my clients and growing my business. I am competing this summer and can't wait to see where my competition journey takes me.