As I stood on the stage, waiting for
the result to be made on who would have the overall figure title, the
excitement and anticipation overwhelmed me. I knew this was the time
for me to earn my pro-card. The judges asked my opponent and I to leave
the stage while they made their decision. I prayed and reached out
spiritually to a close friend that passed away the prior year. She was
very supportive in all aspects of my life. I felt her close to me that
night. As the judges ask us to return to the stage, I felt my
excitement build and build. They get ready to announce the decision and
being my opponent's number also was thirty something, it seemed extra
long for the result. There it was number 37 was called and I felt my
heart quiver. It was as if I had an out of body experience on that
stage. My parents, my boyfriend, my coach and a few good friends were
there to support me along with my photographer, Tina Woods. I did it! I
did it! I did it! I saw all of my friends and family shoot up out of
their seats and it was all I could do to keep myself composed. Not only
did I win overall, as well as best presentation but I got my
pro-card!!!!!!
The day after the show I had a photo shoot with
Tina Woods on the New Jersey shoreline. She captured my excitement, my
spirit, my love along with my serious, seductive side. Every picture
Tina has produced, is an art form all on it's own. Tina has been with
me since my first competition so it was very fitting that she share
this wonderful moment with me. As usual, she took my breathe away.
This was my fifth show and my third year competing. I always placed
very well in my competitions and it kept my fire going. I was planning
on doing the OCB show earlier this year in March but disappointing news
came about when a hernia was diagnosed in January. I was extremely
upset but decided to just go with the flow and realize that maybe it
was meant for me not to do that particular show and just concentrate on
getting myself strong. I couldn't train for 8-10 weeks and it was very
frustrating. Just 2 weeks after surgery I walked into the gym hunched
over thinking I could start off slow and begin. Maybe, just maybe, I
could have a comeback and do March anyway. Well, needless to say, that
did not happen. Well, I took the time off, listened to my coach, Warren
Fahrenfeld, and came back a couple months later and got stronger.
Earlier in the year, prior to the hernia surgery, I had two other
ailments that came about that needed my attention. One of which was
hypertension. I was only 30 and had to begin taking medication to keep
it under control. My father had been on medication since he was in his
mid twenties so the genetic factor had taken over. A few months after
this finding I was then diagnosed with a chronic skin condition,
Lympathoid Papulosis. It is such a rare condition that its a one in a
million chance of anyone carrying it. Under the microscope it resembles
cells of that in Lymphoma. This was a very scary time in my life for me
especially waiting to hear a diagnosis. With all of the frightening
information thrown at me at the time, many thoughts go through your
mind. One of which was, am I 30 with what could possibly be a terminal
illness? Am I ever going to compete again?? This Pro-Card win is bigger
for me than anyone could possibly imagine. It is a scary thought to
think that in life when you have an activity, something in life so
important to you or scarier yet, someone so important to you be taken
away. From this moment on I looked at life completely different. This
is what made me decide to personal train full time and do something I
loved to do. You go around this world one time. I knew nothing was
stopping me from going professional at this sport. Nothing.
After a complete career change, my part time personal training turned
full time for the last 8 months to a year at Premier Fitness in Nanuet,
New York. My experience there has been wonderful and so are the people
that work together there. Warren (my coach) is the nutritionist/trainer
in the gym and he was the first person to approach me to start
competing when I was just a member there. At first I was skeptical but
eventually I gave in and agreed to try in March 2006. My first show was
an NBI Tri-State bodybuilding/Figure Championship and I placed 2nd in
my class. I was thrilled and have been hooked ever since. I did another
show three months later placed 2nd again. My next 2 shows one of which
was OCB in Baltimore, I placed 1st in all of my classes. Every
competition I did, my body was improving, I was gaining size and I
couldn't have been happier with my achievements. At this time I knew I
wanted to go Pro more than anything. I really turned my love for
training in the gym to a passion for this sport that I absolutely love.
I love to eat healthy, the diet is never an issue, well, almost never
an issue! But, the preparation and watching yourself sculpt your own
body is just amazing. I feel self fulfilled and plan on going to the
top! I love the fact that I inspire other people. That's another reason
I love to be a trainer. This field is extremely gratifying and if I can
inspire others to achieve their fitness goals, that's all I can ask for.
Besides my boyfriend, Jason, and my family, Warren is the best at what
he does from helping me sculpt my body through diet as well as mentally
keeping me focused. Premier Fitness is very supportive as well. Not
just my boss or co-workers but the members at the club are very
supportive and were very excited about me becoming an IFPA Pro.
I still can't believe it. My determination and goals will get me to
where I want to go. Nothing will hold me back because now I feel more
inspired than ever. I want my determination to help others feel
motivated and inspired as well.
Since I have been competing, I
have been helping other women with their stage presence as well as help
them prep for their own competitions. I find that when I'm not
competing myself, I still need to be involved so helping these women
out excites me as much as it does them. I can feel their excitement as
their competition nears and I motivate them along to be at their best.
I feel as if I have a new chapter in my life beginning for me. It feels
fresh and captivating and I am truly enjoying this moment along with an
M&M or two!!! LOL I never would have thought that I would be where
I am right now and I will keep moving up and forward. If you have the
will and determination, the hard work will pay off. It shows right here
because I'm an example of that. For others that can feed off of my
excitement, motivation, love and even my smile, gratifies me more than
you know. Keep pushing hard for what you want, no matter what it is.
I'll keep pushing and most importantly keep training hard!
have been helping other women with their stage presence as well as help
them prep for their own competitions. I find that when I'm not
competing myself, I still need to be involved so helping these women
out excites me as much as it does them. I can feel their excitement as
their competition nears and I motivate them along to be at their best.
I feel as if I have a new chapter in my life beginning for me. It feels
fresh and captivating and I am truly enjoying this moment along with an
M&M or two!!! LOL I never would have thought that I would be where
I am right now and I will keep moving up and forward. If you have the
will and determination, the hard work will pay off. It shows right here
because I'm an example of that. For others that can feed off of my
excitement, motivation, love and even my smile, gratifies me more than
you know. Keep pushing hard for what you want, no matter what it is.
I'll keep pushing and most importantly keep training hard!
