- About me:
- I am interested in social justice and have done a
lot to work to empower women, stop domestic violence, and bring wellness into people's
lives.
I'm a 37 year old single mom. My
son graduated from high school and went on to college this year.
- What I like to do?
- Fitness training, music, singing, dancing,
social justice, art, archery, motorcycles, lots of things- I like to hang out and watch movies, sit on
the porch, play cards, etc. or go out and do something fun. I like cool cars (muscle cars mostly- old
Barracudda is my dream car- purple please!) Just got my wonderful Dodge Charger this year and I love
it. I like shopping at 2nd hand stores and I read a lot. I love to dance and listen to bands and will
get up and sing whenever I get the chance.
- What is your favorite body
part?
- I think I have great shoulders, I'm pretty fond
of my brain too
- What makes you smile?
- witnessing men being good
dads
- If you found a million dollars, what would you
do with it?
- If I "found it" I'd return it. However, if I
"won" it or earned it, after I bought my 1970s barracuda and paid off my student loans and other debt,
I would start a non-profit foundation to bring wellness to the lives of those in need- I have the
business plan already written. Then I would use the money to help people I know who need
it.
- What frustrates you more than
anything?
- Injustice- seeing people who suffer from
domestic abuse, addiction, homelessness.
- If you were a car, what would you
be?
- I am one in spirit with my Charger
:).
- What is your favorite
exercise?
- abs- boat pose in yoga
- What is your least favorite
exercise?
- running outside- but I'm trying to get better
at it
- How many times a day do you
eat?
- 6-7
- How many times a week do you
train?
- 5-6 most weeks
- Do you have a story
you want to share?
-
In 2004 my son was in a terrible
motorcycle accident that put him in a coma. He is very lucky to have lived and his story of
recovery is amazing. It was the hardest time ever in our lives, but I am grateful every day for his
amazing triumph. After we returned home from the hospital I decided to compete in
the Gopher State Classic in 2005 in fitness and figure (on April 2, 2005 my son's 15th
birthday), dedicating the show to his recovery and to our
health.
But THAT
is my OLD story. My son graduated from high school and went on to college this year. Although he
suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury, he is very fortunate to be alive, to be functioning, and to have
been able to go back to school and live a reasonably normal life. He is doing GREAT. I don't want
that to be my story anymore, but it is a part of
me.
After I competed
in 2005, I stayed in great shape for a while, but allowed myself to step away from it. I had been
putting myself through school, working full-time, and raising a teenager by myself and I did what
happens to many people... I got sloppy with my training, allowed myself too many indulgences, and
this past year found myself at a weight I was horrified by and just not being my best. SO now, once
I reach my competition goals, my goal is NO MORE BEFORE PICTURES. My goal is to maintain the best
shape of my life and to stay within 5 pounds of being competition
ready.This is
really a transformational time in my life, both physically and spiritually. I spent 18 years
raising a child, working full-time and going to school. Now that my son graduated and is an adult,
and I completed my masters degree- it is time to be open to the wonderful possibilities of the
Universe. Up until recently I was the Executive Director of a domestic abuse and sexual assault
shelter and advocacy organization and I am looking for my next step in life, as my position was
"restructured/eliminated" in January 2009. I want to continue to work for social justice and
incorporate wellness into my work. I continue to teach yoga and am also studying to get my
Certified Personal Trainer credentials. Fitness and yoga help keep me centered while doing some
very high-stress work in the non-profit world and I believe keeping a focus on wellness keeps me
balanced, while helping me serve those in need even better. I also feel that we need to bring more
of a mentoring and wellness approach into serving people: survivors of domestic abuse, sexual
assault, teen parents, homeless,
etc.
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