One of my favourite pics from the 2005 North American Championships in Cleveland, Ohio. Seeing this TBT pic puts a smile on my face. It was SUCH an incredible feeling....the tears I cried the moment I stepped off stage. I’m talking immediately behind the curtain. My training started the year my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I remember coming back from Ms Fitness Worlds in Vegas, and a month later my mom passed. I never gave up. I had so many bodybuilders and even gym owners telling me “you’re gonna have to take steroids if you want to be a Pro”. I never gave in. Obstacles and set backs happened and at one point in 2003 I took time away from the industry and wanted nothing to do with it. It was promoter Jim Morris that had a nice conversation with me and told me to do his show. I fought through all obstacles and never gave in! This sport gave me so much for life, for clients, for coaching. Understanding how STRONG you become mentally. This is a sport where many see it as self absorbed. It’s a sport that is actually ART. Your body is the work of art. You sculpt it how you want. And sure the outcome is a strong, fit body. But the most important and amazing part of all this training, is the STRONG MIND that actually TRUMPS everything else. I tell clients for years when they start a training program with me “sure this is going to make you physically strong, fit and healthy, but the best part is that you will gain so much MENTAL STRENGTH that will benefit you for LIFE!!” Beyond thankful for my years of competing. It’s taught me so much about the body and mind. ❤️✨ #ifbbpro #ifbbprofigure #coach #healthcoach #momcoach #fit #fitmom #momof4 #femininefirecoach #femininemuscle #workofart #trainhard #strengthtraining #loveyourbody https://www.instagram.com/p/BxzexyXJvw6/?igshid=1omrwvo5kz7ke