*Fitness Journey*
Regardless of your fitness level and no matter where you are in life, I believe Fitness is a Journey. My journey began as a seven-year-old who was passionate about gymnastics. I loved flipping my body around and all the physical and mental challenges that came with the sport. Yet, at age 15, I began my fitness career without even realizing it. During a high school gymnastics competition my freshman year, I blew out my right knee (ACL and meniscus.) It was a serious injury but the rehab led me to discover weight training. There was a great health fitness club next door to the sports rehab and I was there everyday, sometimes twice a day. I began teaching myself how to use weight training to get stronger and get back into gymnastics. Little did I know that training others and myself would become my career.
I continued with gymnastics through college at Ball State University. I was the worst gymnast on the team, but I was dedicated and my teammates and coaches helped me improve a lot. During my first season at Ball State, I blew out my ACL in the other knee! During both knee injuries, I stayed extremely positive – optimism I inherited from my Dad. I just knew everything would be okay and one day I knew I would get another chance. Deep in my soul, I knew I would be really good at something even though I did not know exactly what that would be.
Right out of college, I began personal training and loved it. I was going to go back to medical school, but I was my own boss, making money and loved working with healthy people. Twelve years have gone by and I love personal training more than ever. I feel as if I truly make a difference in people’s lives each and everyday. I love my clients dearly. They are wonderful, loving people, more like family than clients. They make it a pleasure to go to “work” everyday.
In 1998, I began missing the competition gymnastics brought to my life. I missed that “competitive edge” it gave me in other parts of my life. Inspired by the fitness magazines, I decided to compete in fitness competitions and become a fitness model. My coach, Bob Dixon helped me transform my body from a size 10-12 to a 4-6 in just four months. We changed my workouts and eating habits to change my body. I won the overall at my first two competitions. I went right to the national level and placed third three times in a row, just one spot away from turning professional. It was so frustrating!
Twelve weeks before the last national championship of the year, I continued to be frustrated. I was negative about fitness competitions. Mentally, I was in the wrong place to succeed. With all this negative energy surrounding me, I went for a walk on the beach. I was stepping between the rocks when I slipped off and broke my right foot in two places. I said to myself, never again will I let negative thoughts and feelings take over my life.
I had twelve weeks to heal and I was determined to heal up and win. I wrote on a note card, “I am the overall National Fitness Champion of 2000”. I carried that card with me everywhere. I read it numerous times a day. I believed I would win. I believe in myself. I knew, like I knew, like I knew that I would become the overall National Fitness Champion of 2000. The 12 weeks flew by, and I did indeed become the overall National Fitness Champion that year. I earned my spot as a professional fitness athlete. This was a dream come true. All my hard work had paid off and it all began with knowing I would succeed.
After turning pro, I was determined to work for Weider Publications and represent all the fitness magazines. Just as I had become the overall fitness champion, I began with visualizing my dream and following it up with action. Less than a year later, Weider hired me as a contracted athlete. It was a wonderful five years. I traveled the world representing Weider and was able to inspire and motivate people all over the world. I was very proud and honored to work for Joe Weider. It was a dream for me to be able to live the lifestyle of a true professional athlete.
In 2004, I published my nutrition and fitness book entitled “The Natural Way- The Holistic Guide To Total Mind-Body, Health & Fitness”. The book has inspired many people to take care of their bodies and make healthy changes in their lives. I also met my husband Bruce through my book, so it is extra special to me. I would have never met him if I did not have the courage and patience to write the book.
Since meeting my husband and writing the book, I continued to model and stay connected to fitness in various ways. I also took a year to plan our dream wedding. I decided to compete one more time in a figure competition in September 2007. Little did I know, NBC was holding American Gladiator auditions just a week after the competition. What perfect timing! I had been training hardcore for years for this opportunity. Becoming an American Gladiator on NBC is perfect for me. I was determined to become an American Gladiator for years but only now did I realize it. I have faith that I am ready on every level – spiritually, mentally and physically – for this challenge, for my next career move and for the rest of my fitness journey ahead.
“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
-- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
*My Intentions*
I believe, deep in my heart and soul, that if you want something in life you must make it your intention to achieve it; and then make it your intention to take the affirmative steps to get there. If you cannot envision achieving goals, then how will you achieve them? If you do not take the necessary steps to get there, then how will you? I guarantee you cannot achieve what you want without seeing your success and then getting it done.
You may have heard the cliché: “Have a plan and work the plan.” Yet, I prefer the way General George S. Patton put it: “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” Follow his advice. Do not become bogged down by how you will achieve your goals. If what you are doing brings you joy, then you will never become bogged down. Of course, the “how” is important but, if you have faith and you are dedicated to your intentions, then the “how” will come to you. At times, you may have to change course, but it will be part of your path to joy, happiness and success.
I have many intentions. As a personal trainer, author, fitness competitor, and now as Venom on NBC’s American Gladiator, my intention is to be an inspiration and role model for people of all ages and backgrounds. I intend to inspire others to believe in themselves and to go for their dreams. I intend to inspire people around the world to take care of their body temple and live healthy lifestyles – spiritually, mentally and physically.
When you workout, or just move your body, you feel great on the outside which translates to feeling great on the inside too. That joy is contagious. It clears your mind and makes you grateful for all you have in life. Love yourself inside and out and your love will shine through. Health and happiness are abundant and they are essential elements to reaching all your goals.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your intentions. Step forward with those beliefs in your faith. When your intention is clear, the method will appear. When you know what you want and you stay focused, it will happen.
I believe in myself. I believe I can do anything I put my mind to. I also know that our thoughts create our reality and we manifest that which we envision.
Regardless of the results, I remember my successes, and replay them in my mind. Even when I hit a bump in the road, I learn from it. I simply rewind it in my mind and replay it as a success. I never dwell on setbacks. I move beyond them.
Through it all, through all the peaks and valleys of life, my ultimate intention is to be a loving, down-to-earth person, especially to those closest to me: my husband, my family, my friends and our beautiful dogs. I intend to be friendly, sweet and kind to everyone – unless they challenge Venom in her Gladiator Arena!.
“When the Intention is clear, the Method will appear.” – James Arthur Ray
*Be Grateful*
I believe, deep in my heart and soul, that if you want something in life you must make it your intention to achieve it; and then make it your intention to take the affirmative steps to get there. If you cannot envision achieving goals, then how will you achieve them? If you do not take the necessary steps to get there, then how will you? I guarantee you cannot achieve what you want without seeing your success and then getting it done.
You may have heard the cliché: “Have a plan and work the plan.” Yet, I prefer the way General George S. Patton put it: “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” Follow his advice. Do not become bogged down by how you will achieve your goals. If what you are doing brings you joy, then you will never become bogged down. Of course, the “how” is important but, if you have faith and you are dedicated to your intentions, then the “how” will come to you. At times, you may have to change course, but it will be part of your path to joy, happiness and success.
I have many intentions. As a personal trainer, author, fitness competitor, and now as Venom on NBC’s American Gladiator, my intention is to be an inspiration and role model for people of all ages and backgrounds. I intend to inspire others to believe in themselves and to go for their dreams. I intend to inspire people around the world to take care of their body temple and live healthy lifestyles – spiritually, mentally and physically.
When you workout, or just move your body, you feel great on the outside which translates to feeling great on the inside too. That joy is contagious. It clears your mind and makes you grateful for all you have in life. Love yourself inside and out and your love will shine through. Health and happiness are abundant and they are essential elements to reaching all your goals.
Believe in yourself. Believe in your intentions. Step forward with those beliefs in your faith. When your intention is clear, the method will appear. When you know what you want and you stay focused, it will happen.
I believe in myself. I believe I can do anything I put my mind to. I also know that our thoughts create our reality and we manifest that which we envision.
Regardless of the results, I remember my successes, and replay them in my mind. Even when I hit a bump in the road, I learn from it. I simply rewind it in my mind and replay it as a success. I never dwell on setbacks. I move beyond them.
Through it all, through all the peaks and valleys of life, my ultimate intention is to be a loving, down-to-earth person, especially to those closest to me: my husband, my family, my friends and our beautiful dogs. I intend to be friendly, sweet and kind to everyone – unless they challenge Venom in her Gladiator Arena!.
“When the Intention is clear, the Method will appear.” – James Arthur Ray