Filed on 8/7/01

Career Highlights
I have been competing in fitness competitions since 1998. I took the overall title of the Southern USA Fitness Show in Panama City Florida. I went on to compete in the Junior Nationals in Charlotte NC and the Nationals in Atlanta GA that year placing 10th and 16th respectively. Not too bad for my first year competing.

I decided to jump from a local show to the big time and that was about what I had expected. The following year, 1999, I began the year with an overall win at the Junior USA show in Birmingham AL. I also continued to challange myself by competing in the USA show in Santa Monica CA where I took 10th place.

At the end of the year I competed in the Nationals show in Orlando Fl where I took 4th. This was a definite accomplishment. (16th to 4th) In 2000 I competed in the Southern States show in Ft. Lauderdale FL where I won my class as well as best routine. I competed in Team Universe in NYC where I took 7th place. Also I won the medium class at NPC Nationals in 2000. this is where I got my pro card. I am now an IFBB pro!

I competed at the 2001 Jan Tana as my pro debut. I got 9th overall with a 4th place finish in the routine portion. This was great for my first pro show.

Why did you become interested in fitness?
I was in college on my way to a B.S. in Physical Education. I was no longer cheering, and I got a new job as strength trainer at the YMCA. There I worked with a guy who competed in triathlons. He was getting ready to go to Hawaii to compete in the famous IRONMAN traithlon held there once a year. I felt like I was in above average shape, but was eating very poorly and not being as active as I once was when I was participating in cheerleading.

So, once the guy Sean, who is now my husband of two years, and I started dating he was always working out. I began doing more cardio and he began doing more resistance training. Typically this is the opposite for men and women, but I guess we are just unique. One day when he finished teaching a spinning class, I got fed up with my body. I told him that I needed a good hobby that would keep me lean and healthy. We decided in that one minute to sign me up for the Southern USA competition in Panama City, FL.

When did you first start working out?
I have been active since I was 5 years old when I started gymnastics. I participated in tennis, volleyball, track and field, and cheeleading in middle and high school. I cheered competitively in college. But I really began resistance training in the weight room consistantly around May of 1997. This is when I found all my muscle.

What other physical activities do you enjoy to stay fit?
I participate in triathlons with my husband and I love to dance, play tennis, and play volleyball.

What are your goals within the fitness industry?
My goals are to be different. I want to have fun with what I do, and show it when I am on the stage. I love doing the routine portion and my goal is to have the crowd fainting by the end of my performance.

This year I have been focusing on so many different things. I moved, got a new job, began graduate school, and recently bought a house. I am aiming to keep everything in perspective, train hard, and look awesome. When I step on stage at the Jan Tana I want to feel happy. I would love to compete in the Olympia, but if that does not happen for me this year, I will keep on trying.

 Additional Notes
I am currently working as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Central Florida. Here I work with the athletic teams. I will finish my Masters degree in Exercise Science.

I would love to do more choreographing of routines for fitness competitors. If anyone is interested, please contact me.