Team Beachbody ¡preestreno!Español Guest

As early as I can remember, I was encouraged to be active. After all, I had 4 siblings, three of which were BOYS! My father was in the Air Force and a sports enthusiast and was always fit! From the time I was 6 years old, he was taking me along to go jogging with him at the track. At 9 years old, I was awarded the Presidential Academic Fitness Award, placing second only to one for my age category in the city. I continued to participate in school activities, such as pep squad and track, but as I approached my teen years, something changed for the worst. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I was suffering from depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I began to lead a very unhealthy lifestyle and the choices I made developed into terribly unhealthy habits that led me spiraling further into my world of depression. I didn't take care of my body and I didn’t care about anything. I had no idea of how badly my behaviors were damaging me physically and mentally. At 18, I gave birth to my first child, a daughter and at 19, a son. My life then became focused solely on caring for my two toddlers and and an in home daycare. I made no time for myself, nor did I care to invest the time. I was constantly exhausted and suffering from debilitating migraines as a result of my poor health decisions.
In 2004, I sought mental health treatment for the first time. It was only then that I learned I had spent almost 10 years battling a mental disorder by myself. I was prescribed 2 medications to control my disorder and another for my worsening migraines. I spent a year popping pills to tame my illness, never feeling much better, before I finally made the decision that something else had to change.
In March 2006, my journey began, I didn't know quite what to expect so I didn't set any real goals for myself. I just knew that I needed and wanted badly to get active after 2 pregnancies, 5 years of caring for two children, neglecting my own needs and suffering from migraines, depression and anxiety. I started working out with a friend, now my coach, doing Turbo Jam and Slim Series. Fortunately for me, I was working out with the most motivational person I could ask for! On my lazy days, she pumped me up. When my motivation wavered she challenged me to push myself further. The first thing I noticed was that I started to feel good almost immediately! I initially thought that adding a workout to my day would make me more tired, but I quickly realized that it was creating energy! I was highly motivated to get to my workout every morning because it made me feel great. I began at a size 6 and 90 days later was a size 2!! I couldn't believe it! After living so long feeling unconfident, unhealthy, unmotivated and constantly exhausted, I woke up to a new me that was motivated, strong, beautiful and most importantly-HEALTHY. I had a healthy BODY AND MIND! I discovered that, as my doctor had long-ago urged and explained is possible, for me, an active lifestyle eventually took the place of medications I was taking to control my depression and anxiety. I wasn't tired, I was happy, I felt good about myself. I completely stopped having migraines! I ran and played with my children instead of sitting on the park bench! I seemed to have overcome so many insecurities, and the most dynamic result-I had a HUGE confidence boost! I knew that I once again had complete control over my own body and mind and I could achieve the results I wanted through my hard work.

*update* lol
Now I’m starting again, I was quite off track for a short time, as my work and single-parenting was demanding many long hours. It was tough for me as my eating habits slowly changed, trading my healthy diet for less healthy alternatives, fast food or sometimes nothing at all. And all of this to suit my need for convenience! My once routine workouts slowly dwindled into sporadic chance happenings. I was quickly becoming very unhappy with the situation. Luckily for me, a career change has allowed me to spend less time working. And also, here I am, a Coach! It is really very exciting for me because I finally get to work for something that has been a lifelong passion and promote a program that I truly believe in.