I fell in love with strength training a decade ago and that love is still going strong. I learned so many things the hard way that I am grateful for as it has made me a better coach and a better person. I made mistakes that have sent me down rabbit holes that changed my life, my perspective and approach to training, health, nutrition, and human performance.
Prior to becoming a fitness professional, I worked for a large company and the position required some travel. Trying to balance family life with two very young kids at home and traveling was stressful, but do you know what I dreaded most? The carry-on luggage. Yes. To those of you who know me as a competitive powerlifter now, this may sound ridiculous, but it is absolutely true. I really loathed dragging carry-on luggage through the airport, putting it in the overhead bin on the airplane, and having to take it out when the plane landed. The thought of having to ask someone else for help was even worse.
The process of building strength takes time and the fact that a decade has passed since I started this journey seems unreal. To gain physical strength, we need a training stimulus that is appropriate for where we are starting, proper nutrition, adequate sleep and recovery, consistency, and a desire to learn (if you want to be sustainable). The the pay-off was bigger than I could have ever imagined. I regained some athleticism, gained confidence, physical competence, independence, better self-awareness, resilience, emotional strength, health, happiness, a passion to keep learning and evolving, AND the ability to easily help others with their baggage at the airport anytime they need it.
Happy International Women’s Day! Strength comes in many forms. Let’s show gratitude for the strong women globally who have driven us forward and empowered us to progress socially, economically, culturally, and politically. A special thanks to my mom who has always been a strong role model in my life. She is one of the kindest, most dedicated and caring, hardest working people that I know. She has supported and empowered me to be the person that I am today.
