There was a point in my life when I felt that I was at the end of my rope. I was stuck in a miserable marriage, suffering with depression, and taking prescribed antidepressants. I was a stay-at-home mother of four who was shy and absolutely hated herself. So, in 2006, I started to exercise – not because I wanted to or even thought I could look a certain way – but because I heard exercise helped with depression and I was desperate. One of my first memories of my father was watching the Olympia show together and him saying to me, “You know you could do that!” I thought NO WAY! My dad loved to lift, and he walked every afternoon. I remember lifting with him and how much I loved it. I felt strong after lifting and it made me feel good about myself.
I wanted to get back to that feeling, so I decided to use a Bow flex machine that someone had given me. A few months later, I saw a picture of myself and did not recognize the person I saw. It was the first time I saw something beautiful on me. MUSCLES! I realized my life might have been out of control, but with weights I could control what my body looked like. Then I heard that cardio would burn that stubborn layer of fat, so I decided to start trying to run. I knew it would make me sweat and I hated to sweat! On my first try, I could only run to one mailbox. I just could not run, so I researched and discovered a breathing technique that changed everything. I teach it to all my clients today. In-2-3, out-2-3. That was it! Now I was starting to lose weight, but something was missing. I had no clue how to eat! I tried to eat healthy food but felt clueless. I took it one day at a time and did my research. I would wake up, read, exercise, and run.
My body was changing, my life was changing and most of all my mind was changing. I got a job as a receptionist and without even realizing what I was doing, I started training the girls in the office. One day, my boss approached me about chasing my dream. Dream? I did not have a dream, or did I? I gave up my job, ordered personal training books, and began to study. Soon after I joined a church and met a man who would be managing a gym close by. He invited me to check it out. When I walked in, it was only rafters, but I knew without a doubt I would change my life and others in this gym! I started to teach cycle and pump group fitness classes! With this new routine and the knowledge that I was gaining about healthy eating, my body had changed tremendously, and my confidence skyrocketed! Within months I was approached to start training others and I decided to give it a try. Within 3 months I went from three clients to fifteen!
I also went on to chase my dream of competing, and won numerous awards, trophies, and accolades. I also went on to open a fitness studio named Crystalized Fitness. I now own RevFit Gym, which houses Crystalized Training. Struggling with anxiety and committing to this lifestyle, I always wanted to create a safe space for this life-changing journey.
