During my childhood and teenage years, I gained a lot of weight, lost a lot of weight, and I had absolutely no self-esteem. In my twenties, I lost my first marriage, my home, and my self-respect. I hit bottom for the first time in my adult life.

Then, fifteen years later, I followed the same path and hit bottom yet again. I slipped into a deep depression driven by anxiety from childhood trauma and, I was to learn later, PTSD.

I had always found comfort in unhealthy fatty and sugary foods. Self-loathing followed with every pound I gained. In high school, I was made fun of for being “the chubby girl,” “fat,” “Popeye,” and other names too painful to repeat. After high school, I went on the “no food” diet: anorexia, diet pills, and laxatives. I could not get skinny enough.

I had my first wake-up call when I was eighteen years old while my sister and I were vacationing in Caracas, Venezuela. I was so addicted to laxatives and diet stimulants that I began to bleed internally and experience excruciating abdominal pain. Back in the U.S., I was admitted to a hospital where an MRI showed I had a small tear in my lower intestinal track and rectum. That incident scared me so much that I never touched another laxative—but I continued to take energy enhancers and appetite suppressants.

Going back and forth from skinny to heavy, abusing diet pills and binge eating, was mentally exhausting, but I couldn’t stop it. My condition was hidden and went untreated for years. I married in my early twenties and had my first child. Life calmed down, emotionally, for a short time and I started nursing school.

While in college full time, being a wife and mother, everything began to spiral out of control again. It wasn’t until years later that I discovered the meaning of addiction. Addiction is not only about illegal drugs and alcohol—it is about anything you do in excess and can’t control. In January of 2014, I discovered I was an addict who suffered from PTSD related to early childhood abuse.

Wow, that was a hard thing to swallow! I continued to believe it was not true. How could I be an addict? I had never used street drugs and I don’t drink often. But I discovered I had an addiction to anything that would make my internal pain go away and numb my feelings of worthlessness. My addictions to food, diet pills, body image, attention, and unhealthy behaviors probably came from the lack of control that I had felt as a child. I had deep insecurities and believed I could not measure up to the expectations of the world that seemed to constantly judge me.

Although I knew I hadn’t had that “fairy tale” childhood, in my late thirties I discovered that my issues with food were more complicated than just body image. I had to treat the “why” of my self-loathing—and I did! I have dealt with adversity, but most importantly, I have overcome so many hardships. I am reaching my goals and following my dreams, one day at a time.

At the age of thirty-nine, I finally started to live. I gained control over my emotions, confronted my fears, and let go of my anger. I gained so much confidence and strength that I now believe anything is possible. Now, at forty years old, I am ready to share my story as I continue helping others achieve their life goals through mindset, balance, strength, fitness, and nutrition. This life is pretty amazing— and it is never too late to start living!

I am a graduate of Winter Haven High School in Winter Haven, Florida. I enlisted in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in February 1993 but was honorably discharged a few months later when my mother’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, worsened and she had another relapse. In 1996, I attended a nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Technology. In 2003, I began studying exercise science, which I combined with my knowledge or anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and personal training. I discovered I had a passion for helping others reach their fitness goals.

I began my experience at a local health club where I worked as the fitness director from 2004 to 2010. I then moved to a larger facility where I had room to grow and use my skills. I became General Manager of the Bloomsburg SportsPlex in 2010. My experience, knowledge, and client base blossomed during these years, and I knew it was time to strike out on my own.

In 2014, I became the proud owner of Legacy Fitness Revolution and Personal Training Studio. I hesitated, because the area we live in is saturated with gyms and personal training. However, I knew my programs were changing lives and improving confidence, and my clients were doing things they never expected to do.

My approach to fitness had always been about more than weight loss and appearance. I build confidence and self-esteem. I stepped out of the “norm” with my classes and began to invent my own programs. They worked. I continued with my education and I am still educating myself. I specialize in wellness, weight loss, functional body weight training, strength training, healthy eating, and organic nutrition. I coach, motivate, and empower others to turn their excuses into solutions and become their best possible selves.

I believe the fitness industry offers too many gimmicks and empty promises. Four Season’s Fitness Program is designed from knowledge of techniques that have been proven to work.

Being a health and wellness coach has inspired me to combine my skills and study the holistic approach to nutrition and human wellness as well as mental clarity. My Four Seasons Fitness Programs are based on many years of studying, practicing, implementing, and hands-on experience.

I’m ready to expand this knowledge and bring my unique programs and training technique to all of you!

Education, experience, and certifications: Health and wellness coach, Personal Trainer, and passionate about changing peoples’ lives.

Certifications: NESTA (National Exercise Sports Trainers Asso- ciation), NETA, ACE, Youth and Kids Fitness, Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Personal Training, Club Management, Sports nutrition.

Experience: I have worked countless hours training, studying the science of the body, how it works, and why one thing may work for one person but not work for another. Everyone responds differently to nutrition and exercise. My programs work. I coach with confidence, love, compassion, and determination to help others.