I was born in Jacksonville, Florida where I met my husband Brent Hawkins who was playing for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars. I have always wanted to look and feel good because the extra weight was something I struggled with in high school. After having our first son, I was looking for a career and thought what better idea than to do something I love! After moving back to Illinois where my husband comes from, he was approached to play for the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders, so we went to Canada. From there, we had our daughter and I worked as a trainer at Gold’s gym and eventually opening our own training facility. While in Canada, I competed in my first bodybuilding show in the bikini division. I ended up winning overall at SABBA Novice and Provincials. I also started coaching my very first team of ladies who also did well in their competitions. I also tried out for the LFL when it came to Canada and had a blast playing and becoming an Allstar. I had the honor of being voted number one most attractive player in Canada by bleacherreport.com. After my husband retired from the CFL, we came back to the United States where I continued to train. I wanted to continue competing, so I did the NPC Midwest Championship in the bikini category but unfortunately, did not place well. At that point, my muscle mass had outgrown the division. Shortly after, we had our second son, so I focused on being a mom and training my clients. I absolutely love competing and knew I was not done. I fought to get my body to bikini size because I love the category but after lots of convincing, I decided it was time to do figure. My husband ended deciding to compete with me at the same show (NPC Midwest Championship) where we both did very well. I took home first in Novice and Open overall placing. My husband won first in Novicefor his class and Masters and also first in Open Masters and second in Open division for his classic physique class. That same year in 2019, we went to NPC Nationals where I won first in my class and obtained my Pro Card. Since Covid happened in 2020, I interrupted my debut plans so I plan to make my Pro debut this July. I also recently started managing Alton Family Martial Arts & Fitness and teach a fit boxing class there. I am enjoying helping people get started with self-defense and martial arts. They offer youth martial arts (my kids attend), kickboxing, and jiujitsu.
Age:
33
City:
Edwardsville, Illinois.
Nutritional Plan:
I follow macros that continually change.
Supplement Plan:
Oh gosh, where do I start?! Multivitamin, Vitamin C, B12, D. Calcium Magnesium, digestive enzymes, fiber supplements, whey isolate, BCAAs, glutamine, and carnitine.
Do you prefer to take and recommend all-natural (no sugar, no artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners) supplements or supplements with artificial flavors and sweeteners? And Why?
Personally, I consume artificial sweeteners but when I am in prep that gets cut out. Sometimes, I will recommend people trying all-natural to combat bloating issues.
Is weight loss more of a fitness issue or a health issue in your opinion and why?
I believe they go hand in hand. A lot of people do not work out because they are happy with their physique, but you can look great and still be unhealthy internally. I believe it’s important to exercise to not only lose weight but also receive all the health benefits that are attached to it. Health care is so strained from people simply not taking care of their bodies. Exercise can help prevent so many things like heart disease and high blood pressure. I exercise for both. I want to be healthy, and I also want to be physically fit so I can keep up with my kids and do the sports I enjoy.
If you have 100 tokens in total and you could apply them to the following categories, how many would you apply to each?
- Fitness level: 50.
- Health level: 50.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
When we were in Canada, I used to love getting Status magazines. Always jammed packed with pictures, articles, and tips. I love Status because they do not skimp on the size and there is so much in there.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What is the one most important fitness tip/advice you have learned over the years?
Status Fitness Magazine runs model searches across North America including the largest one at the Arnold Classic for the Status cover. As part of the Status family, you will receive a special participation invite. How excited are you about this opportunity?
I am stoked! It would be an honor to be on the cover. I think that is every competitor’s dream.
Describe your coaches and the impact they have on you?
I coached myself for my first three competitions. I wanted to be accountable to someone and researched the best bikini coach where I found Kim Oddo. I ended up switching to figure where he coached me through my most recent victories. I love Kim and his personality. He has this father figure feel because he has been in the industry for so long and is so knowledgeable. I recently switch to Team Pro Physiques and I am coached by Damian Segovia. I made the switch because he coaches Ms. Figure Olympia and I wanted to be trained by the best coach for that specific category. We have been doing offseason training and preparing my body to handle more calories and shape it to be ready for my debut.
Future fitness goals and plans?
I plan to make my Pro debut in July and hope to eventually grace the Olympia stage.
Life goal?
Continue building my training business and building the Martial Arts facility I manage (Alton Family Martial Arts).
5 things people do not know about you?
- I love horseback riding and used to take care of 3 horses as a side job when I was 10.
- I can clog (not to be confused with tap dance).
- I was an Allstar in the Legends Football League.
- I was voted class clown in high school.
- I love to play Age of Empires.
5 lessons you have learned?
- Pray daily for strength.
- On the path to success, people aren’t always chasing the same dreams as you, so you have to be willing to be independent.
- NEVER GIVE UP no matter what obstacles you face.
- Be grateful for everything in life because it can be gone in a second.
- Surround yourself with people who push you to be better.
- Genuineness.
- Compassion.
- Drive.
- Honesty.
- Entertaining
If you could inspire one person, who would that be? And why?
Not one, but all my kids. I want to inspire them to work hard and be the best person they can be. I also want to inspire them to be active and healthy.
Who inspires you? And why?
My husband inspires me. He came from nothing and has gone through so much adversity to achieve everything he has done in life. He is my biggest supporter, and I could not have achieved what I have without him.
Favorite quotes?
“Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard”.
Photo By: Jeff Binns | Linell Grudnitzki
