Filed on 7/22/03

Career Highlights

Why did you become interested in fitness?
I competed in collegiate gymnastics for 2 years until I injured my back. After a few years of not competing I wanted something fun to focus on and had seen fitness on tv and knew I would be good at it with my background.

When did you first start working out?
Well, I started gymnastics when I was 6 and worked out with my dad with our Weider weight bench on our front porch when I was about 10! But I really started lifting weights in July of 1999. Before that I had only done cardio and aerobics to stay in shape after gymnastics.

What other physical activities do you enjoy to stay fit?
Currently I guess I would have to say running, since I do so much running for my fitness career/competitions. I've even thought about running marathons, but I think I might wait until I retire from fitness. I do some 10K races, but nothing serious, they are just fun runs for charity. I don't have time for any other sports right now. Fitness is very time demanding! I do various track workouts and run bleachers. I swim once a week and take a yoga class once a week. I also like taking my dogs for long walks. I have a 200lb. English Mastiff and a Akita. They are a lot of fun.

What are your goals within the fitness industry?
To continue to have fun and enjoy what I do despite all of the politics in the sport. I would like to be a role model to others and pass along my knowledge and passion for fitness.

Additional Notes:
I would like to thank my husband Andy for all of his support and for always cooking all of my diet food for me. He's the best!