Biography

I grew up in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area of Pennsylvania and began indulging my fitness passion when I was twelve years old. I discovered gymnastics, fell in love with the sport, and began competing the following year. I continued gymnastics throughout high school and won two district medals. Because fitness had become more than a hobby in my life, I also competed in track for two years as a top sprinter.

While in high school, I worked at the local YMCA as a gymnastics instructor and later as a fitness instructor, but I still craved active competition and soon learned about fitness competitions by reading several fitness magazines. Immediately, I started training and searching for local opportunities to compete, but before the internet boom, little information was available about health and fitness competitions, and the opportunity to participate in local competitions was slim to non-existent.

Between my hour's commute and working anywhere from 20-40 hours a week during college, I found little time to continue to compete. I had planned to major in Exercise and Sports Science when I started college but decided to change my major to something that at the time seemed more practical. In December 2001, I graduated cum laude from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education for Biology.

After graduation, I landed a job near Palm Springs, CA, where I taught biology and anatomy and physiology. During my time in the desert, I started to dabble in boxing and soon found myself back at the gym full time. Two years later, I decided to move to Los Angeles and to pursue other opportunities.

Once settled, I decided to compete again and, more important, to return to the fitness industry. It took a while to rebuild my physique, but I was very determined. Beginning in 2007, I once again competed in fitness and figure in the NPC organization. During this time I started nutrition consulting and personal training part time while teaching full time.

In 2009, the NPC introduced a new bikini division. This division was much more suited to my physique, so I made the switch and achieved status in the IFBB Professional League in September of that year.

In September of 2009, I finally decided to return to the health and fitness industry full time because I quickly realized that competing and helping others reach their goals are what keep me motivated. I absolutely love being an inspiration to my clients, my students, my colleagues, my friends, or my fellow gym members. My motto is "You can do more than you think!," and taking my own advice to heart has enabled me to live my passion, a passion I am all too eager to share in order to bring out a healthier happier you!