1. How did you get involved in fitness competitions and in the fitness industry?

It was chance, luck, and a missed opportunity that got me into fitness. I was a DI multi-eventer, with the high jump being my strongest event. I was training to qualify got the Olympic Trials, and just missed the qualifying standard by 3cm!! I was devastated. But I had been weight training for almost 10 years at the time, and had built some nice muscle. People at my gym at the time told me that I should compete. But I had no interest in pageantry, as I was an athlete. I ended up getting a consignment bikini, hastily applying tanner, and flipping my hair upside down and spraying it with a ton of hairspray. No dieting, no posing practice - just hopping on stage to see how I would do. I ended up winning my class and winning the overall. The judges wanted to know where I came from and encouraged me to do a larger show the next month. I dieted for the next one and practiced posing. I won the overall there as well, which qualified me for a National show. So, I dyed my consignment bikini a different color, added rhinestones, and bought the nicest press-on nails, and headed up to Georgia for NPC Nationals.
This was the largest amateur bodybuilding show of the year, and I had no idea what to expect. Everyone seemed to be part of a team and I was invisible - until I stepped on stage. After my class, everyone was congratulating me! I didn't understand call-outs, nor the new attention. But at finals, I ended up winning the class and winning the overall. And just like that, I turned Pro.
I fell in love with the fitness industry and with bodybuilding. And I found that my style of training and prep was unlike anyone else's, so I was able to quickly build a name for myself.

2. How did it feel winning the Figure Olympia title and what did it mean for your life? And how did winning the 1st Olympia title compare to winning the 2nd Olympia title?

Winning the Figure Olympia was an incredible feeling. I practiced and visualized so much that it happened exactly the way I imagined it would! I realized just how powerful human will is. I was not expecting the attention - both good and bad, that followed. It was honestly overwhelming! I got to travel more, signed more sponsorship deals, and had people reaching out for free advice. I had some trouble managing my weight, as I coped quite a bit with food. It took me about 6 months to get back to normal after the first win.

The second win was to prove that the first win was not a fluke, as a few people told me it was. I went into the competition with resolve and was well-prepared. I visualized the win here as well, and found myself accepting the trophy for a second time. I really think that I got into figure at the right time, and attribute both wins to that, luck, and preparedness. Anything can happen on that stage, and I'm incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity and to have made the most of it.

I was expecting the wins would change how I felt about myself, but it did not. Only years later and many hours of self-work later, did I find self-approval.

3. What are some of the major motivations and Why's in fitness and in life, that have given you the drive to have the successful career that you have had?

My Why has changed some since I started. When I began my fitness journey, it was from a place of lack. After hitting rock bottom and having those closest to me tell me that I'd never amount to anything, I had to prove them wrong. I was compensating. After some years of introspection and work on my self, my Why has changed to love of bodybuilding, and love of teaching. I also want to show just what is possible as a natural athlete. You can go 'against the grain' and stay true to yourself and be successful.

4. You have helped many people with your online coaching, training videos, cookbooks, etc, what role does helping others with their journey play in your life?

Thank you. Helping others is what life is all about! I've had people help me in the past and want nothing in return, and it changed my life forever. I can only hope to do the same for someone else. There seems to be so much negativity out there, and if I can be just a little light to someone, I have served my purpose.

5. What are some of your upcoming goals in your fitness journey?

My goal in the fitness industry remains the same - I want to educate and empower women. Lifting weights does so much in terms of boosting physical strength, of course, but it also improves mood, self-esteem, health markers, balance, and is the closest thing we have to the fountain of youth.
I just launched an app called The Push, which has the same message as my upcoming book (also called The Push). The idea is that we all face setbacks and life has a way of pushing us down, but we can get back up and push back. The book also tackles trauma, and offers new ways to cope, overcome, and flourish - in spite of the past.

6. What are some of your daily/weekly routines and systems that make a difference in your life?

I write down my must-do list and have a separate running list of miscellaneous tasks. This way, I'm not overwhelmed with 100 items, and just need to focus on 2-3 key tasks to make great progress.
I go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This has greatly helped my energy levels.
I use my sauna twice per week to help with detoxing and it feels great.
Lastly, I make it a point to not check my phone after 5pm or before 7am. This keeps my mind uncluttered and allows me to create instead of to consume.

7. What does a day in your life look like, in terms of training, nutrition and running your businesses?

I currently train 4-5 days per week, and my workouts are usually either total body or upper/lower. Working out for me now is stress relief, to stay feeling young, and to continue to build my ideal physique. I don't think I'll ever stop!
Nutrition is simple, and I eat four meals per day. My meals typically look like this:

+4 scrambled eggs
+protein shake with fruit
+venison/beef with avocado and rice
+fish/steak with veggies and potatoes

I eat ice cream every night as well. If I start gaining weight, I'll cut it out!

I'm usually up around 4:30 or 5am and I get most of my work done before noon. I find that if I wait until later, I'm interrupted or not as productive.

8. What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced in your life and what mindset helped you overcome them?

I overcame two abusive relationships and overcame two eating disorders. Both required a shift in mindset. For the relationships, I had to realize that I was part of the problem and that I let crappy people into my life. By improving my feelings of self-worth and increasing my standards, I've been able to have only good people in my life. Surprisingly, the eating disorders were somewhat alleviated by boosting my self-esteem. I also had to get to the root cause of what made me over- or undereat. It turned out that I didn't feel that I was in control of my life. So, I made some changes in my environment, goals, and in coping - choosing to go for a walk, or to journal, and to get out of the kitchen - all helped me get back to eating normally.

9. What are some of your non-fitness projects and endeavors?

I have been involved in real estate since just after college, so much of my non-fitness projects fall under this category. Current projects range from a small subdivision to a sand mine. I'm also learning to how to work on my old diesel pickup and writing my sixth book, which will be called The Push. I hope to help women who've experienced trauma turn the page on the past and find success through lifting weights and mindset changes. For fun, you can find me shooting, practicing archery, and working on my aim with my Shepherd's sling.

10. What are some of your heroes or role models in life?

My biggest role model was my Aunt Ruby. She was my great aunt and she was such a strong woman. She traveled the world and owned her own business during a time when it was not customary for a woman to do so. She always stood up for herself and stood up for me, too. I'm thankful that she was in my life and showed me that anything was possible.
Otherwise, I looked up to Rachel McLish and Corey Everson. Their strong, yet feminine physiques proved that beauty didn't have to be skinny.

11. What are some of your favorite books you have read?

My favorite books are The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer, poems by Rumi, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, and As a Man Thinketh by James Allen.

12. What are some of your favorite podcasts to listen to?

Right now, I don't listen to podcasts. I'm working on learning Spanish and listening to a course on YouTube by cognitive scientist John Vervaeke called "Awakening from the Meaning Crisis." Each lecture is about an hour and has dramatically changed my view on the world and my own beliefs.