My Journey
Seeing people thriving and living their best lives mind, body, and soul. Making people laugh, challenging myself daily, bodybuilding, nutrition, learning and reading, the sun, beach and the ocean, rescuing and loving dogs, especially pitbulls and boonie dogs from Guam!
Hey beautiful people! I believe that we all should feel our best in every aspect of our lives while chasing and living out our dreams. We each have a unique story and journey, and it takes time and effort to figure out the path that aligns with our authentic selves and provides us optimal health. It has taken me time, injuries, health scares, and trial and error to figure out the formula that helps me thrive.
I was Not comfortable in my own skin
As a teenager, I had unhealthy relationships with food which cycled and carried into my 20's. Over time, I gained weight and was not comfortable in my own skin. I was not happy with my own reflection or how my clothes fit. I liked form-fitting clothes, but they were not supposed to be that tight!
At 28, I had severe back problems that prevented me from tying my own shoes and sometimes even walking. After several orthopedic visits and an MRI, the doctor asked if I was really in my 20's because I had the back of an 80-year-old!
The results showed I had several herniated discs in my lower back and degenerative disc disease. I was devastated and in pain constantly. I attributed the extra weight as being the biggest contributor to the back issues, and I was determined to lose it. Knowing very little about nutrition and overall health, I started running outside, elliptical training, and cut all of my food servings in half...not the proper way to go about it!
Movement and changing my eating habits did help me heal
Within a year's time, I went from 200lbs to 145lbs and I felt amazing! I soon realized that I wanted to take my physique to another level and started lifting weights and learning more about nutrition. My entire life changed! I was weight training 3 days a week, which eventually grew to 5 days a week. I started seeing muscles develop, strength increasing, and my shape changing.
The human body is truly AMAZING! It was such an empowering feeling to see and know that I BUILT THIS! I was completely hooked and the gym became my sanctuary, my stress-reliever, and my therapy.
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I lived and breathed training and competing and it set my SOUL ON FIRE, until a rib injury made me feel like I was having a heart attack
In 2021 after training in the gym for 10 years and following nutrition plans, I decided to chase a dream and prep for my first bodybuilding competition. It was an incredibly transformative experience mentally and physically. I loved every second of it and my commitment to health and well-being was fueled even more. I lived and breathed training and competing...it set my SOUL ON FIRE!
After my second competition season in late 2022, I began having health issues, including a serious injury to my ribs and cartilage that mimicked the symptoms of a heart attack. At times, I thought I was dying. My offseason and dreams of pursuing a Pro card were suddenly in jeopardy and it sent me into a full-on panic.
Physically and mentally, I was not in a good place and dealing with the uncertainty and the pain caused severe stress and anxiety. The panic and anxiety was so off the charts: my mind raced, at times I was afraid to be alone or drive, I was even nervous in the gym (never had been before), I had severe chest pains, tightness, and spams, my heart raced faster than any cardio session, I had insomnia, and I felt terrified for my life for weeks on end.
My entire nervous system was misfiring and I felt like I had ZERO control on how to get off of this shitshow of a ride.
I realized I had to heal and transform from the inside out
I realized through the anxiety, physical pain and a Spiritual Awakening, that I needed to heal from the inside. I read incessantly with all signs pointing to the benefits of meditation; something that I never thought I could sit still to do, much less quiet and calm my 9 million miles an hour mind. I had the nutrition and training part on point, but the mental, spiritual, self-connection part, not so much.
I began meditating, practicing breath work and mindfulness, and another level of TRANSFORMATION occurred. I saw the light, literally! With each day and meditation session, I was better able to manage my anxiety and stress, and had more clarity and calmness. We could all use more of that, right?!
Ready to Transform?
I knew I had to make changes immediately and the health issues led me to a new world of holistic healing
My gym training was tremendously impacted, but I continued going, as the gym is my happy place and I needed that familiarity. My body continued reacting and revolting against me and I could not do any overhead, side, or front lateral movements without chest pain.
I knew I had to make changes immediately and the health issues led me to a new world of holistic healing through amazing chiropractic care, physical therapy, and therapeutic massage, including cupping and dry needling. Gratefully, after five months of treatment and as my body was healing, I was gradually able to increase training.
My passion and love of health, nutrition, wellness, and bodybuilding, led me to the Institute of Transformational Nutrition to become a Certified Transformational Nutrition Coach
My purpose and mission is to serve and empower you to live your healthiest and happiest life: MIND, BODY, and SOUL!
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I would love to meet you and hear your story!
