About Me

I am 39 year old (soon to be 40-eek!) wife and mother of two.  I have a wonderful husband named Mark, whom I've been married to 13 years now (together~21+ years).  Together we have two wonderful children 10 & 8 years of age and a Boston Terrier named Otis.  I am Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant and have worked in all different settings.  I have always had a great passion for working with and helping people.  One thing that has really stuck with me through the years treating patients has been the importance of taking care of yourself through nutrition and fitness and to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

My Family

Otis

I have been one that would exercise for a while and do great but then one little set back and I would get off track.  This would be a roller coaster ride for me.  After having my two kids I really struggled to get the weight off.  Flash forward to 2011...... we moved to Florida for my job.  I went from a job where I was on my feet all day while working with patients to a job where I sit at a desk working on the computer (Fighting Medicare Denials).  So take in to account, moving 1000+ miles away to a small remote area away from friends and family and trying to get acclimated to the FL lifestyle and starting a new job as well as getting the kids adjusted to their new school was a stressful and busy time and my focus on health and fitness was put on the back burner.  Over the course of 10 months I didn't really exercise or pay attention to what I was eating and the weight started to creep up.  I was feeling sluggish and not so good about myself.  Then one day a friend of mine convinced me to try Zumba.  I was very apprehensive about this because I had no coordination (LOL).....but I went and that was the start of my transformation.  I started going once a week.... then little by little started going more and more and soon became addicted to it as I started to learn the moves.  As a result I was starting to feel better and starting to lose some weight.  I have come to love Zumba so much that in March of this year I became a Certified Zumba Instructor for Zumba Citrus.  So I went from standing in the very back corner of the room so no one would see me to now instructing it.  Talk about stepping out of my comfort zone.....


Through going to Zumba I also had the benefit of meeting an awesome group of ladies who are now some of my great friends- my supporters, encourages and motivators.  From Zumba a group of us then started to run (I have never been a runner.....) and in April of that year I ran my 1st 5K.  I didn't do the greatest time but my goal was to finish and that is what I did. 


I was then introduced to The 352 Fit Club.  This fit club was ran by a team of Beachbody coaches and I was introduced to the various Beachbody workouts and Shakeology.  I then added going to Fit Club as part of my workout routine. 


I was then introduced to training for an OCR (Obstacle Course Racing) and completed my 1st OCR in May of that year.  I was now addicted!  I was losing weight and feeling better.  My clothes were fitting better and I had more energy.  In July of that year I did the Challenge Group for the new program T 25 and joined Beachbody as an Independent Beachbody Coach.  At this point improving my health and fitness had now become a way of life.  Over the course of 2013 I had lost 20 lbs through increasing my fitness, drinking Shakeology and eating better.  With my passion for helping people, I wanted to share this and help others to achieve their fitness & wellness goals.


It hasn't been easy especially working full time, having 2 children and busy schedules to work around.  I've had my ups and downs but have learned to push through.  I want to set a good example for my children so they see the importance of eating healthy and exercising.  My husband, Mark has been wonderful through this journey.  He has provided me with a great deal  of support and encouragement.  We work out together at home (sometimes the kids join us), we try to get outside a lot and keep active.  Mark has also joined me as a Beachbody Coach and completed his first OCR with me in April of this year.  We are actually taking part in our next one together in a couple of weeks (his 3rd my 5th).

My Journey isn't over.  I am a work in progress.  But I have learned that I need to take care of myself and make myself a priority.  Not only for me but for my family.