I grew up in an athletic family and played softball, but dance had the greatest impact on who I have become. Competitive dance taught me drive, focus, discipline, teamwork, and leadership as a team captain—skills that have stayed with me into adulthood. My desire to coach comes from a lifelong desire to teach and help others grow.
I am no hero, and I still fail, but I have faced many enemies—especially loss. One of my first was a loss of confidence that came from growing up in the shadow of an exuberant sister and a judgmental mother. That is not easy to share, but it shaped much of my journey. I often felt like I was not good enough, and my mother’s constant comments about my weight began a lifelong struggle with body image. Over 16 years, I gained about 100 pounds. By 2014, I had finally lost weight and felt like I was back on track. Then, in 2016, my sister died suddenly, and my family fell apart. My health was no longer a priority, and I gained the weight back—plus more. In 2020, I lost my mom suddenly, and seven months later, I lost my dad as well. My brother used the loss as motivation to get fit, but I was too busy and did not believe I was worth the effort. In 2022–23, I nearly lost my marriage, lost my church family, and in May 2023, lost my relationship with two of my three children. Saying I was hanging by a thread would not be an exaggeration. All I had was my husband, my daughter, and Jesus. My turning point came when I realized my worth was never found in other people’s opinions, the size of my family, or how hard I worked. My worth is found solely in Jesus and what He thinks of me. I wanted to honor Him, so in 2023 I found Fit Girl and began treating myself like someone of value. Since then, I have stayed active in my health journey, gained muscle, and lost 69 pounds. More importantly, I have found my strength.
My purpose in coaching is to help women find joy in their accomplishments, connection through shared struggles, and worth in who they are—regardless of the number on the scale or the size on a tag. No matter where they are, I can probably relate. I have been heavy, I have been thin, I have physical limitations, and emotional struggles. I love the women at Fit Girl and the community we share, and I want to help others recognize their value as they work toward becoming the best version of themselves.
