I was born in Walnut Creek, California, only to move to Las Vegas before I even remember, so you can basically call me a Vegas native.
I started taking gymnastics classes when I was 9 years old; which is a late age to start, but I picked it up very quickly and started competing within my first year.
As teens often do, I had my share of struggles, with my family and myself. I found myself "doing stupid things" (as you can imagine) and ended up at the "end of my rope" at only 15 years old and pregnant! Now, as a competitive gymnast, this pregnancy, was not an option, and I decided to have an abortion. Well, as luck or fate or God would have it, he put a wonderful woman in my life who touched me so much, that I wanted her to have my child. So the decision was made that I would have this baby. Then, as another twist of fate, she was unable to adopt and I was left with the decision of what to do with this little life I was creating. Certainly, I was too young and in far too much trouble to give this unborn one the things she deserved, so the decision was made to place her for adoption.
Yes, I gave birth to a little girl in the summer of 1997, only a high school sophmore, much too young to be raising that little one. I chose for her the most wonderful family who could give her love and a home and a big brother.
Little did I know, how much that little child, MY little girl, would shape my life from that day on. Once I held her in my arms, I knew that I wanted to be a better person, I wanted to be the person, that when she was old enough, she could meet me and be so proud of the person that I had become.
I pushed myself through school, graduated high-school early, then college. I blasted through my Bachelors in Physical Education and after graduation became an acrobat in Cirque De La Mer at Sea World in San Diego! I also spent some time traveling to Europe and decided to make myself a goal to see 30 countries by the time I'm 30! (I've seen 24 to date!)
Sometime during that fun summer as an acrobat, I got e.coli and nearly died. I was hospitalized and unable to walk for months. Once I was out of the hospital I used a walker, and then a cane, and finally my hobble became a normal walk again. During that time I was "rehabilitating" myself, I spent many many hours in the gym. It was at that point I decided to become a personal trainer. I studied for my certification and then went on to get my Masters in health promotion and exercise science.
I believe that God has given me many second chances and I don't take one day forgranted. I am grateful for every healthy day that I have and I try not to make any excuses for myself. I was fortunate enough to live through a lot of hardships and learn from them, and I think that makes me very empathetic to other people's circumstances. I know that if you can first change your mind and your attitude, you can change your life! I was also lucky enough to find myself a wonderful human being who was first a great friend and is now my best friend and my husband. I was married in September 2007. My husband is my biggest fan and supporter, through tough competition diets and all! We have two silly dogs that keep us entertained and both of our families live close by. |
