I would like to begin this by saying none of my accomplishments could have been possible without the love and support of my parents, sister, and brother. I have the most supportive, goal-oriented family! They have been to every dance performance, track meet, and competition. My parents exemplify what it means to love. They have provided all the tools I needed in life, and then gave me the opportunity to spread my wings when the time was right.

I was born in Chicago, IL and after just 18 months moved to Newbury Park, CA with my parents. We lived in the sunshine state for 9 years where my sister and brother were both born. We moved back to Illinois when I was 11 and entering the 5th grade. (Where one boy used to tease and call me muscles, (and to think he used to make me cry).I still live in Illinois not far from where I grew up, and where my parents still live.

There was a time in my life when my husband and I were traveling like crazy around the US. that I would have moved back to California, but once we became parents I never thought twice about leaving my family. Some things are more important!

Today I own my Personal Training business, Steps To Success and am the full-time mother of two (3 come July, when the baby is due!). I have been married for 9 years and know the meaning of multitasking! I have always been athletically built with wide shoulders and muscular legs. I was a sprinter on the track team in Jr. High School (usually anchoring all my relay races), and I was heavily involved in the art of dance. From the age of 8 years old I have been performing in front of an audience under those bright stage lights. I have always felt alive and exhilarated performing and creating...it is there that I feel fulfillment beyond words. When I hear the beats of a drum or the keys to a piano my mind is creating movement.

I even had the opportunity to audition for the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School at the age of 14 and was accepted. I declined the scholarship to attend my local high school and dance at numerous studios in the suburbs and the city of Chicago, (including a scholarship for Joal Hall). In the end I feel I made the best decision with my mom's help. She is Mother-of-the-year every year! My life would have been very different had I chose to attend high school in the city.

While performing with a dance company in college, rehearsals several nights a week, and completing 22 credit hours, I was approached by a male graduate student (5' 11", 260 lbs.), who was looking for a mixed pairs partner to compete with. That individual along with all my "North Quad" buddies are the reason I competed in my first competition, and my hunger for bodybuilding began. Their passion and commitment to their goals and dreams lives within me today! Smitty, Ron, Big Dave, John, Tony, Justin and Gabe, what can I say except...I will never forget any of you! How I actually got involved with lifting was with my husband, Michael. I lifted in high school a bit and was nominated "most likely to FLEX in front of the mirror", but didn't incorporate it into my daily life until my husband and I began working out together my sophomore year in college.

I was a psychology major, realizing that I wanted to help people in a more preventative way by teaching them how to cope with stress and problems by exercising and obtaining the natural "high" that comes from physical work/ release. My maiden name is Reilly, and the alcoholism in my extended family runs deep. Finding a positive way to deal with difficulties was something I was forced to learn at a young age with a lot of incredible people such as; Dan, Char, Rex and the public speaking I did for the snowflake program and peer counciling groups I attended and led in high school.

My husband also introduced me to the magnificent great outdoors! WOW! What adventures we have had all over the United States. Rock climbing, river rafting, skydiving, cave splunking, back country backpacking, living on the road for up to two weeks. There is nothing in the world like waking up under the stars or on the beach...when it's all so simple you realize what life is all about....you become a part of the beauty and feel connected and balanced. True peace! We even pumped our own drinking water in the back country, ate military rations and hung our packs in the trees so the bears would stay clear. I will never forget my travel days and the stories that still make me smile. My husband and I had some fantastic times with some incredible people. Tim, Jim, Googs, and Candi...our travel memories will never be forgotten! It is not where you are in life but who you are with that make it memorable and unforgettable!

My life is very busy and filled with love these days. Married with two children ages 8 and 3 years old keeps me busy at home, and don't forget we have a third little blesing on the way....to make our family a total of 5:) In addition, my personal training/ coaching clients and my own work outs. But I have gotten very good at slowing down and taking lots of time to enjoy my beautiful children. I have been there for every milestone and event. I have read every book in my daughter's library to her, been involved with her Girl Scout activities, helping as room mother over the years and being there week in and week out for homework, gymnastics driving for the 9 hours she attands per week. She is my pride and joy and I can't imagine my life for a single moment without her!

Then there are kisses and wonderful bear hugs from Wade. He is such a snuggler and such a stuborn independant boy at the same time. I have kissed my son enough times to leave a permagrin on his face all day. He is the child that i see in life never letting anything get in his way..I know there are big things in store for him. He is the energetic, entertaining little man of the house...life would be so quiet and boring without him. My husband is very involved, helpful and affectionate with our kids as well. I am so fortunate to have that. There are so many fathers who miss out and mom's who never get their time away. I am blessed!

My goal in body building is to be a positive role model to others. I would like to say natural female muscle is beautiful and that being a mommy, (or struggling with a challenge), doesn't mean you have to loose yourself. There are a lot of people who count on you. There is nothing more important than your health! I want to stand for what is possible and attainable with hard work, multitasking and a lot of love and support of family and friends! One thing to never forget....Vision...always have vision in your life. instead of wishing and hoping for things to come to you, go out and make them happen...have a vision!

Anything is possible... the only limits are those we place upon ourselves. Bodybuilding is an art to me. I am sculpting my own masterpiece and embracing the athletic, strong, feminine, creative women that I am.

Life gets tough when I train for a competition and I become extremely focused on my goal. I expect a lot of my husband and I don't think I can express adequately just how much it means to me that he has supported my dreams and ambitions, picking up the pieces where they have fallen over the years. I am truely blessed to have such an incredibly devoted and supportive partner and friend.

When I'm not working out I am kissing my baby boy and big girl! I am training clients, driving my daughter to gymnastics and picking her up from Girl Scouts, taking Wade to pre-school, cleaning the house, washing the dishes, feeding our German Shepherd (all 110 lbs of him), cooking dinner, grocery shopping, the dreaded chore (laundry), e-mailing and calling family and friends, mailing bills, hugs and kisses to my hubby, scapbooking, watching a movie or decorating the house. I am a busy women, wife, mother, athlete and professional but I would trade my life with no one! I have everything I want and all the tools to make my dreams a reality.

My plans for 2007... Enjoy every moment and milestone in my son's 3rd year and my daughter's 8th, take care of myself so that I can give the child within my womb the best chance at health possible. I will return to the stage... stronger and better than before, as I will have one more little voice in my cheering section and one more smile in my life! I should be returning to the stage in March of 2009 after nursing the baby for a year and re-gaining my contest conditioning. I have big plans when I return..so don't count me out just yet:)

This year will be filled with many exciting developements so be sure to visit often and if ou haven's already join my website or check out my new documentary.."Journey To The Stage".