Certifications

My Story

Everyone has a unique story to tell, and I'm here to share mine. As a Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach, I've had the privilege of connecting with individuals who all share a common thread: they are in a battle of their own.

My journey has been shaped by an autoimmune disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis. But, rest assured, you don't need to have this condition or any autoimmune disorder to relate to my story. Chances are, you either know someone facing a similar battle or have faced your own challenges.

In my late teens, I grappled with the uncertainty and fear that many young adults do. On the outside, I wore a smile, but internally, I battled a raging storm. People who face autoimmune diseases often pinpoint the exact moment or period when the last straw broke the camel's back. I certainly did. Sometimes, circumstances align perfectly to ignite a fiery storm within.

Physically and mentally, I was drained, losing weight, and felt myself shrinking. I had a habit of pushing harder when I was sore or tired because I believed that's what I should do. The phrase "winners never quit" echoed relentlessly in my mind. But it wasn't the uplifting cheerleader-type motivation; it was the harsh, self-deprecating, and bullying kind of self-talk. Have you ever engaged in that self-sabotaging dialogue? We've all been there if we've lived long enough, haven't we?

I was in self-destruct mode, and I didn't even realize it. I vividly remember the soles of my feet being swollen and excruciatingly painful, but I pushed myself even harder. Until one fateful morning when I couldn't push any further, and I couldn't get out of bed. I mean, I literally could not walk. I resorted to crawling to the phone to call my dad for help. Every joint in my body felt like it was on fire.

The doctor declared that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis "as severe as it gets."

I moved in with my parents, and my lowest point came when they had to feed me and take care of practically everything for me for several weeks. Can you imagine how they must have felt? It was humiliating and humbling for me. I worried they'd be disappointed in me for contracting a disease. Can you imagine that? But they just loved me. My entire family simply loved me.

I reached a breaking point, and I was determined to fight. And indeed, it has been a battle. I delved into extensive research on RA, nutrition, and the human body (I had been in college studying anatomy and physiology). I read my textbooks repeatedly and devoured any relevant information I could find.

At one point, the only part of my body I could exercise without pain was my abdominals, so I worked with what I had. I still have a fondness for working on my abs.

I persevered and had to re-learn how to walk. I would watch people walking and think, "One day, I'll walk at that pace." I even re-enrolled in school, but I moved so slowly that I arrived 30 minutes to an hour early just to ensure I could walk to class and be on time.

My youthful ego took a backseat, and once again, I had to drop out of school because during labs, I would contract any bacteria we studied through the microscope. My immune system was battered. I moved in with one of my sisters, who witnessed my flare-ups firsthand. However, no one judged me except for myself.

I collaborated with various doctors (some exceptional and others not so much), holistic practitioners, Certified Personal Trainers, and Physical Therapists. I sought out the trainer and therapist on my own because, back then, the prevailing wisdom was "if it hurts, don't do it," which simply didn't make sense to me.

I applied what felt right, what brought me peace, and what my gut instinct told me. Over the years, I've come to understand that there's no straight path to victory.

Health, wellness, and fitness have played a significant role in my life for most of my years. None of it came easily, but I'm grateful for my enthusiasm for learning and my willingness to put in hard work and dedication.

So here I am, some 40 years later, with a wonderful husband and four sons—yes, the children I once believed I couldn't have.

For the past decade, I've been a perpetual student. I have a deep love for learning and have discovered that it's much like peeling an onion. When you peel one layer, you uncover another, and the process continues. We, too, are like onions, with endless layers to discover.

I'm currently in the best shape of my life, despite some joint damage in my hands, wrists, and elbows. These issues arose from the tough choices I made. I wanted my children to be born without any medications in my system, and I wanted to breastfeed them without any medications. At times, I even embraced my rebellious nature. You know, that inner rebel we all have.

I continue to train my body regularly, feeling alive, vibrant, and thankful for the ability to do so. I maintain a clean diet, nourishing my body with only real food, and I express gratitude to God every single day.

Now, I'm paying it forward. I do what I do to assist as many people as possible. I help them overcome obstacles, implement real-life changes, and attain the best quality of life they can imagine, both in body and mind.

I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and am grateful to share it. As I continue to study, learn, and apply what I know, please feel free to reach out to me anytime. I'd love to hear your story.