PHIL 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me."I started gymnastics at the age of 3, and my father was a body builder in the 1970's. During that time my dad formed a friendship with Lee Haney, 8 time Mr. Olympia. Their strong Christian beliefs and their mutual love for our Lord Jesus Christ have kept their friendship strong to this day. One day at church, Lee noticed how defined my arms were, and told me and my parents, that I should really consider fitness competition. So my mom started to check into it for me. We then were at the Show of Strength in Atlanta, helping Lee with his Ultimate Teen Challenge and "Fitness magazine" hosted a push-up and pull-up contest. I did 175 push ups (man style-I competed against two marines) and 30 drop arm pull-ups. I won both events. At that same show I was introduced to Debbie Kruck, who invited me to be a competitor at the Debbie Kruck Classic, in the teen division. So between Lee and Debbie's encouragement that is where I got my start.I then decided to try an open competition just for the fun of it, and placed 2nd, which qualified me for Nationals. I couldn't believe it. So my parents, my sister, and Lucy my trainer headed to Dallas in November of 2004 for me to compete at NPC Fitness Nationals as the youngest ever. I was 13 years old and in the 8th grade.
Fitness is totally different than Figure competitions.
In fitness you compete in swimsuits so the judges can view muscle tone, they do not want you to be too big, but they do want definition etc. but half of your score comes from your fitness routine. In the 2 minute routine you must incorporate 3 required strength moves & 2 required flexibility moves: (High Kick & Side Split, Pike Press, Straddle Press & at least one, One-arm push up) all this is done to music, then incorporating gymnastic, dance or additional strength moves as you desire. Since I am a Regionally Ranked Level 10 gymnast and also now an all-star competitive cheerleader, this part of the competition is very fun and easy for me, the swimsuit portion is the hardest to me.
My goal as a gymnast was to make it to the 2008 Olympics, and was well on my way, with a vault that no other woman gymnast has ever performed. Due to a series of events, the biggest being my coach deciding he no longer wanted to coach at the higher levels, which left me without a coach to get me to the Olympic trials, I poured myself into Fitness. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and that God does not close one door without opening a window, and I truly believe Fitness is my window. And 2009 became my year!
