Here’s a little info on me :o) I was born in Durham, NC.  I have always loved to perform and compete!  I was captain of my Dance Team in high school and I competed professionally in Ballroom dancing threw college. 

I can remember when I was 5 years old putting a UNC – Chapel Hill basketball poster up on my wall and thinking I want to go to college there.  I told my parents this and they never really said anything.  Many years later, my wish came true.  I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a BA in Sports Medicine.  I continued at UNC – Chapel Hill to receive my MA in Education. 

After I graduated, I had read about fitness competitions. I wasn’t sure how to begin or where to begin.  Luckily, I met a wonderful lady who has continued to be my friend all of these years,  that was competing in Sport Aerobics.  I had never heard of Sport Aerobics  before, but it sounded like fun.  I met with her choreographer and I began to learn the elements of Sports Aerobics. I trained for a year for this competition.  At the time I weighed 96 lbs.  I gained up to 110 lbs. before the competition.  After competing in one competition in Miami, FL I realized that just wasn’t for me.  It was way to structured for me. 

I started looking into other areas to compete. I found Women’s Tri-Fitness.  I met a great lady that had an obstacle course in her backyard not to far from Durham, and I started training on her course.  It was amazing how quickly my back, arms, and legs started to build as a result of this training.  I also met with a different choreographer and started a whole new fitness routine. I competed in Vegas that following July with Women’s Tri- Fitness.  After competing in 112 degree heat in the middle of the desert, I decided this wasn’t for me either.  I was completely exhausted from head to toe and my body would not take that kind of strenuous exercise for to long. 

I found a magazine called Oxygen at a local drug store. I started reading the articles and discovered an organization called NPC.  I liked the way the girls looked on stage and I knew I could do the routine portion of the competition.  I found out there was a competition here in NC. I registered and starting talking to a few people about the competition. I had never seen an NPC show and I had no idea how to pose or anything. I could tell by the pictures in the magazine that I needed a one piece and two piece suit.  I starting looking online and found someone to make my suits and fitness costume.  I stepped on stage with no idea how I was suppose to stand or anything.  I won!  I was shocked.  I had qualified to compete in National level shows.  I was so excited. 

I started lifting heavy and doing cardio.  I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.  I decided to compete in the Jr. USA’s in Charleston, SC.  I looked at a few more magazines and I felt confident I knew the poses now.  I hurt my shoulder during that time and I had already registered for the competition. I called and changed my registration to Figure.  Once I got there, I was in shock.  The level of the competitors was just amazing.  I quickly learned I was way out of my league.  I competed anyways and I think I placed 13 out of 15 girls. It was a true ego breaker.  But I met Mike Davies.  He was in the lobby talking to someone and then got into the elevator with me.  I started talking to him and he said he was a trainer and could definitely help me with my diet and workouts.  I had no idea I was talking to the true Master of training and diet for competitors.  He gave me his contact information.  I think I called him the next day.  Mike faxed a diet over to me and a work out plan.  To be honest, I thought I was going to die.  I was determined though, to win my Pro card in Fitness that year.  I competed in USA’s in Vegas and placed 12th.  I kept working on my physique and my routines. I was shocked at the transformations that were taking place in my body.  Mike really knows his stuff.  I won the Monica Brandt Fitness competition in late July.  I competed in 6 competitions that year.  My dream came true at Nationals in Miami in November, 2003.  I placed 2nd in the middle class and won my Pro Card.  I was so happy.  I could not have done that without Mike Davies. I owe everything to him and his hard work. Thanks Mike!! 

Competing as a Pro has been so much fun.  I have met so many wonderful athletes.  All of the Fitness Pros are so supportive and nice backstage.  It’s like a family reunion at each competition.  It’s a time to catch up with each other and to cheer the other person on stage. 

I really appreciate the support of my family and friends.  I couldn’t compete if it weren’t for my great support system.  I especially would like to thank my boyfriend Jay Jolly.  He has the patience to live with me dieting for 6 months out of the year.  Now that takes a special kind of love, let me tell ya :o) I would also like to say thank you to my Mom.  She has stood by me threw thick and thin.  She is one amazing woman and I am so proud to call her my Mom.