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.
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. 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". |
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.
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!
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.
