Those of you who know me well know that my mind is constantly jammed with information I want to share with you. It comes tumbling out of me in dribs and drabs as I take you through your paces, explaining physiology, endurance, strength, and just about everything that affects your health, your wellness, and your fitness. I also love to tell stories of others I’ve trained along the way, sharing before and after tales that help motivate and entertain you. Unfortunately before now, those stories have never been put into print – cyber or otherwise. That changes with this blog, because nothing inspires people more than success stories about others who faced the same or even more daunting challenges than you.
But – first things first. For those you who have yet to meet me (or haven’t heard it before), I want to share some of my story with you. I figure an introductory blog post should be about what makes a person tick, answering questions such as “Why is she doing this? And where does this passion come from that compels her to take people on a fitness journey?"
Just so you know, I was skinny, hyperactive kid – always more physical than mental about nearly everything. In fact, if my teachers had let me, I would have given my book reports moving around to every line. My daydreams found me looking out classroom windows gazing longingly at the monkey bars while everyone else was memorizing multiplication tables. I saw myself swinging from bar to bar, doing pull-ups and hanging upside down. It’s no accident that I became a gym enthusiast at an early age. Working out not only became an outlet for my excess energies, but also a conduit for a much deeper experience. You could say that exercise became my (fortunately healthy) “drug of choice” as I dodged life’s tragedies and celebrated its triumphs.
I started entering competitions in 2004. I didn’t do well at first, but in time I began placing in the top three in the figure category, winning first place on two occasions. During that time I enjoyed coaching, designing workouts, adding modalities and experimenting with different techniques. All of these endeavors resulted in a passion for teaching, to be a catalyst for change, to help other reach their fitness goals.
For me, however, the shot of energy, the improved mood, and the toned body were not all that attracted me to a life of physical fitness. I began to notice deeper, more subtle mental/spiritual changes taking place. That led to my realization that everything -- mental, spiritual, and physical -- benefits from a fitness journey. Simply put, strong wills can overcome life’s obstacles. Each time we set the bar higher to overcome a physical challenge, our will to succeed is strengthened and our motivation renewed. I am a firm believer in the idea that those same inspirational stories we hear of people who overcome unbelievable odds in life can apply to us as well, helping us draw intangible meanings from dedication and self-discipline, spilling over into other areas of our lives.
This is what I have learned, this is what I hope to share in this blog, and this is why I became a personal trainer: to live my passion, to make a difference, to help others reap the benefits of maintaining a fit body. You see, I believe physical fitness is more than a series of workouts. It’s the collaboration between the mind and the body; the body executes the movement while the mind envisions the results. What a powerful combination for change! Stay tuned for posts about all manner of fitness – everything from diet, to strength training to interval training and beyond. It’s my time to share, educate and inspire.
Welcome to my blog. Welcome to my world!