For as long as I can remember, I have always been very athletic. I grew up doing tap, ballet & jazz at a local dance studio. Being on stage seemed to come naturally for me. My true passion as a child was playing sports; I loved softball, basketball & cheerleading and the competitive nature of each.
I played softball and basketball from the time I was old enough to play through high school. I began gymnastics and cheerleading in junior high and participated in cheerleading competitions throughout high school as well. My first exposure to weight training came in high school with these sports.
When I started Nursing School at the University of Southern Mississippi, I had to find something to nourish my need of physical activity. Then I met my husband, Randy, and he introduced me to serious weight training. I loved it! He had a background in bodybuilding and taught me everything I know about weight training. He was also the first person to suggest that I compete and has been training/coaching me ever since. Then a couple of friends at the gym began competing, and they encouraged me to give it a shot, so I did.
I entered my first figure competition in May of 2010 and won 1st place overall thus qualifying for Nationals. I was hooked! I did a couple more figure contests, one of which was a flop. I learned a very valuable lesson. Sometimes losing is the best wake up call. I was not properly conditioned and vowed to never get on stage again unprepared. I competed in my first national competition, the NPC Jr. USA, in May 2011. I felt I was very well conditioned and prepared, but did not place well at all. I was frustrated and ready to quit when Randy & another trainer/friend, John Micka, suggested I give up figure and try the new Women’s Physique division. Initially, I was skeptical and unsure if I would be a good fit for the new division. I finally decided to go for it since I really had nothing to lose after not placing well in my recent figure competition.
I kicked my training into high gear to prepare to compete in the Women’s Physique division at the 2011 NPC Nationals Bodybuilding Championships in Miami, FL. There were over 30 girls in the tall height division (Class C). To my surprise, I won 1st place in my height division therefore earning my pro card! It is an honor to be one of the original IFBB Women’s Physique Pros in the division’s debut year. I am currently gearing up for my first year as a pro and am planning to hit the pro stage in April and May 2012. I love training hard and competing and hope to have a successful career as an IFBB Women’s Physique Pro. I aspire to qualify for the Olympia in the near future and hope to help the Women’s Physique division thrive.
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