Describe your background coming up....were you athletic?
I started playing soccer when I was 3 years old. My competitive drive was nurtured at a very young age! After soccer I started playing basketball, softball, and I also ran track. I dabbled in field hockey and women's lacrosse, but my main love was always soccer, and I continued to play it for the next 18 years of my life. Sports always provided me with an outlet for my energy, my uber competitive nature, and it also fostered a deep camaraderie with the other girls on my team. I learned how to work as part of a team and how winning and losing are done TOGETHER. The lessons I learned via sports I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
What was your first brush with competing and what made you decide to take it up?
Being an athlete, I continued to workout after graduating from college, but I never really felt like I was being pushed. Sure I was in shape, but I didn't really feel like I had the muscularity that I wanted or should have had for working out as much as I was. I approached a trainer [LeighAnn Yeager] in my gym whom I knew was a fitness competitor. I started working with her in June of 2009 and saw such amazing changes, that I decided to throw my hat into the competition ring. I figured I had the time, the energy, and the metabolism to try competing, so why not?! I'm so glad I did - it has been the most rewarding experience of my life.
Describe your experience as a first time competitor since many of our readers are or will be in the same boat - leave nothing out! Start with the prep all the way to your win....The first 2 months of prep were very difficult for me, mentally. The diet was overwhelming - not so much the foods I was being asked to eat, but the preparation of them. I found it a daunting task to cook for 3-4 hrs a night about twice a week, to pack it all up into tupperware, and then to weigh it all out the next day. I'd find myself going out to restaurants with friends and almost breaking down into tears because there was nothing "prep-friendly" on the menu that I could eat. I felt as if I was inconveniencing everyone else with my diet. But.....after a few months, I got into a groove with cooking, and it became easier. Once I pushed through the initial hurdle, I was fine. Exercise wise, I actually LOVED my workouts and my training. It reminded me of my soccer workouts in college, and I loved pushing myself to my physical limits. Additionally, watching my body morph before my eyes was really amazing, and made ALL of the torment of the diet totally worth it. People in the gym and friends at work started taking note of my new diet and physique and became interested and followed me in my journey. Their support was so incredibly important and appreciated. You never realize how important they are until you step on stage and hear them screaming for you in the crowd. It's incredibly comforting and humbling.
I trained with 3 other girls, which made the experience MUCH easier. We all worked out with our trainer once a week and then practiced posing. These workouts were so instrumental in my development. Not only was it beneficial to have the other girls there to push me, but we became fast friends and their support was unparalleled. I love those girls with every ounce of my being, and we'll be friends for a very long time. I hope to compete with them again in the future.
The show itself was quite the experience for me. My trainer told me countless times about the joys of Jan Tana, trying to sleep the night before the show, the backstage antics/food that the other competitors eat, etc. Nothing could really prepare me for that experience. I have horrendous stage fright - horrendous!! I was so nervous when I first stepped out on that stage. I felt my legs shaking when I was in my model twist, but I got through it, and my screaming friends in the audience definitely helped to calm my nerves. To have the 3 other girls backstage was a HUGE relief. We helped each other glaze, bikini byte, and calm nerves. I will forever want to compete with friends! After finally stepping off stage, I can definitely say that in ALL my years of playing sports, this was the hardest, most nerve-wracking thing I've ever had to do. But it was also the most rewarding thing I've ever done. To adhere to a strict diet, to push myself to my physical limits, and to KEEP going and ultimately win 1st place in my height class - nothing tops that accomplishment!
You have mentioned to me that you want to parlay this into fitness modeling. Is that what got you interested in competing, or rather something you decided along the way? It's something that I decided along the way. I started subscribing to Oxygen and M&F Hers and I really love how women look with strong, muscular physiques. I find it incredibly sexy, and I got to thinking that it would be a nice option should I ever actually look like that! I have done a few photoshoots and have been astounded at the photos - it's like invasion of the body-snatchers - I look at those pictures and simply cannot believe that I'm staring at myself. I hope to continue with modeling - I think it's incredibly important to show people that women CAN be both feminine and strong. Muscles are sexy!
Who inspires you most in the industry?
Ava Cowan is by far my favorite figure competitor/fitness model. I think she is absolutely gorgeous, yet incredibly strong and defined.
Which show are you thinking for your national level debut?
My first national show will be Jr. USAs in Houston in August. I'd like to break top 10 if I can, and top 5 would make me over the moon happy - I know I'll have a LOT of girls in my height class. I'd obviously love to win my height class or even go pro, but I don't want to set myself up for disappointment. Some might say to shoot for the moon - I'm more the type to set realistic, attainable goals. I do eventually want to turn pro, but I do realize it may take many shows and MANY years. I'm prepared to be in this for the long haul, and to enjoy the ride.
What are your goals for future shows if you don't earn your pro card at the Jr USA's?
After Jr. USAs, we'll see. I'm thinking maybe Figure Nationals in Atlanta in October, or I may enter a long off-season after the August show and really focus on gaining significant mass in my upper body.
"I'm not in competition with anybody but myself. My goal is to beat my last performance."
Any advice you'd give to others on general health and wellness?
