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My background is different than most, ever since I was little I've been fainting, actually since the age of three. In 1999, I was diagnosed with two chronic heart conditions, NeuroCardioGenic Syncope and Mitral Valve Prolapse. All throughout my childhood I was the girl that sat on the bleachers in P.E. with the doctor’s excuse that said if this child participates in any physical activity you raise the risk of her passing out during your class.

The emergency room as bad as it sounds, was a second home to me. I've always felt as though I had no energy and that I was a science experiment. Playing with my other classmates was a chore and I would be completely warn out after a few minutes before I was huffing and puffing. Even in my early twenties I felt as though I was 90! Sleeping was my hobby, I always dizzy, and I literally had no life. I was in constant fear that I was going to pass out.

In 2005, I found an amazing cardiologist who actually specializes in my disorder. He told me my blood pressure was so low that I could be walking and pass out. He was surprised that I was doing even what I was doing! He actually asked me "How are you functioning?" I replied "I'm not, I'm just coasting through life". I was waiting for my body to match my spirit at that time. I was ready to give up. I felt as though I was more of a nuisence to everyone than feeling as though I actually had a purpose here on this earth. I just cried. My cardiologist put me on a new medication and I swear to this day it’s my miracle drug. It totally changed me, I started seeing my energy level increase, slowly and surely. Each day brought new awakening, and little by little I was pushing new limits.

So in 2008, I remember sitting on my couch. I could feel that I had more energy but I was still struggling in so many ways. I can just remember the words of my cardiologist running through my head "you've got to do something, at this rate you won't see your late twenties" and my reply to him was "What can I do? I'm not capable of doing anything!" and that was the honest truth. I've sheltered myself completely my entire life, placing myself in a box hoping it would protect me but I was miserable, I was constantly living in fear.

So going back to sitting my on couch, I've seen the infomercial for Turbo Jam before and one day I just said what do I have to lose? Hearing Chalene, I realized, I was tired of being sick and tired. Chalene looked like she was having so much fun in the videos and honestly that's what I wanted in life. To actually be able to have FUN! My life was already a constant struggle so I wanted a something, ANYTHING that would take my mind out of my own negative bubble, even if it was just for those 45 minutes while I was pushing play. I just wanted my life back, to live a normal life.

Everyday was an obstacle, and as dramatic as that sounds it’s the truth. Even to this day I have to watch my heart rate monitor to make sure I don't go over my limit when I'm working out.

For me personally, it was the process of LEARNING my body from the beginning. I truly didn't know what I was capable of. All the fundamentals you learn as a child about your body, I learned in my living room in my mid twenties. There were moments when I had to lie on the floor, breathe and coach myself out of having episodes. I have two chronic heart conditions and there is nothing I can do about it, and as much as my body wanted to stop me in my tracks I allowed my spirit to carry me through those times. Who cares that I might have had to rest a few more days of the week because of my episodes, the goal was to continue pushing through MY limits and continue seeing changes within ME!