The birth of my son is one of the happiest memories of my life. However, the situation surrounding my relationship with his father leads to an abusive relationship and self-loathing. Already carrying extra mommy weight, the stress of this all did not help me, as my weight skyrocketed to 286lbs!
Leaving the relationship forced me into being a single mom trying to make it, with the help of my family. I was living in a travel trailer on my sister’s farm that she graciously let me park there with no running water but could access the house. I felt like a burden. I returned to construction again. I tried to eat healthier to lose weight and I was succeeding, but in a camp job, it was difficult. I tried, yet nothing seemed to help.
Just as everything was looking more promising, my mother found my father outside lying on the front lawn lifeless. I tried giving him CPR with assistance. When the paramedics arrived, they scooted him into the ambulance. He had passed away in front of all of us. The stress rocked us all, and I found myself gaining over 20 lbs in two weeks. My weight began to spiral, but through all this, I realized I had identified my trigger, stress eating. Our family life again had changed, but we all stuck together. I continued to try and lose weight even with a huge setback. I met an old friend and told him that I was curious about bodybuilding, he had introduced me to my first trainer. Going through many hardships, she could relate to my situation. She helped me lose a lot of weight and I started to feel good about myself again.
While working away, my mother had a heart attack. My son found her. He called me and the company I work for allowed me to go home. The future looked bleak. Covid hit and no one could go see her. My mother got worse. We all prayed. Then, miraculously she healed, she is still ill but we appreciate the gift of life even more, and gives me even more of a reason to try harder and be healthier.
Fast forward a few trials, errors, and coaches years later, I am in the best shape I have ever been. I have pursued professional wrestling with Lance Storm, modeling, and love bodybuilding. I have finally found a suitable fitness and nutrition coach that is a good fit for me (Shelby Starnes) and an amazing posing coach (Heidi Cannon). I want to be an inspiration to my son, to mentor and encourage others knowing that the key is that if you believe in yourself; you can achieve anything! It just took me to realize my mind is a powerful thing and make that one decision that changed my entire life. Here I am 160lbs less.
Training Plan:
Currently 5 days a week weight training with 2 days HIIT 30 mins and 3 days low impact cardio.
Thoughts on HIIT, Powerlifting, TRX, Yoga, bodybuilding, other:
I love HIIT. It is so amazing! I use this as an extra in my back pocket when I need to pump up my game. TRX I love this unit, take it anywhere especially important for people that work out of the town or stay in hotels to keep fit, easily packed. Yoga, I really got into yoga when I trained for wrestling. My coach taught yoga at the beginning of class. At first, I was like, um, no! And then I realized just how good it made me feel. I love the bodybuilding community. It feels like I am in my place. It’s what I love doing. It’s a great goal and something to believe in. I want to be that strong, lay at 70!
Nutritional & Supplements:
Multivitamins, pre-workout, fish oil, calcium.
What does your coach mean to you?
I have two coaches:
Shelby Starnes – Nutrition and training – He has changed my life. He motivates me to continue. I want to be challenged. When I was lost and getting nowhere in my prep, he showed me the way. Laid it all out. I 100 percent trust and value him. I can’t wait to see where our journey takes us next. He tells it like it is and makes it achievable. He has encouraged me. I have honestly never been so into the programs as I am currently. Seeing the results speak for his authenticity.
Heidi Cannon – Posing Coach- She has stuck by my side, through thick and thin. I love her. She has guided me and given me such confidence. I have learned not only competition posing, but how to pose for modeling. I have never had a better posing coach. So descriptive, actually cares, and keeps me motivated. I actually look forward to our facetime posing sessions. She has kept me inspired through all the lockdowns and motivated me to be my best.
Special skills?
I am a professional wrestler trained by none other than Canadian WWE idol – Lance Storm. I wrestle in Alberta for PWA (Prairie Wrestling Alliance). I am also a red seal Hairstylist.
What do your parents mean to you?
Where do I start? My parents mean everything to me. Because of them, I am who I am today. They have sacrificed everything for me. What did they teach you? To love and respect others even when they don’t treat you well. I love them more than anyone in this world. They are the only people who love you unconditionally and truly without any greed. After I had my son, I came to realize what a child really means to a parent.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
The up-to-date, current, and most knowledge put into a magazine currently that I read. It has so much valuable information and real people that have succeeded. Status is a motivational tool that everyone should read.
What would it mean to you to become the next Status Fitness Cover model?
Could you only imagine? This would be the chance of a lifetime. I would represent the magazine with every ounce of effort and inspiration. This chance would give me the motivation I so deeply have been trying to spread to others. They say a picture is worth 100 words, it can not be truer. This is one of my main goals. Status is trustworthy and real. People need to be inspired by others so they can grow. If I could be on the cover, it would bring me to a new level and allow me to spread the word about living a healthier lifestyle. Show people that it can be done. Encourage people to keep going when times get tough or you want to give up. I speak from the heart. Trust me! Status has contributed to my success. The stories of other transformations encouraged me to keep going when I had no momentum.
If you meet Status Editor-In-Chief, Rodney Jang, what question would you ask him?
What is your best quality overall and how has it aided you in achieving what you have accomplished to date?
6 things people would not know about you.
- I can pick up a man who weighs 275 lbs(wrestling).
- I love fishing.
- I love to dirt bike.
- I didn’t have any top front teeth until grade 7.
- I had a Staph infection when I was a baby which made my teeth rot when they came out because of medicine.
- I have one tiny hidden tattoo and I love theatre popcorn with extra butter.
Who inspires you?
There are so many inspirational people out there, Heidi, Becky Overbeck, Anette Corvette, Markus Kaulius, and more. I could not tell you all the people that have contributed to my success by motivating me. There is one person; that is my son. He just turned 13. He is the most giving, understanding, and encouraging person I know. He helps my mom while she cares for him when I am away or is it the other way around? My mom has been ill for some time. He is so helpful with her. She has taught him to cook and he is homeschooling. He tries his very best with no complaining. We can all learn from our children.
Who do you wish to inspire?
Mostly inspire others to do what they want and dream of. They can do it! Anything is really possible. My son. The apple of my eye. He needs to know that dreams do come true to those who work hard for them. Stay consistent and never stop.
Life goals:
Further to my modeling career, one day I would love to compete in the Olympia or be on the cover of a magazine.
5 lessons you have learned:
- Trust your gut.
- Consistency pays off.
- The only way to achieve is by doing; put your mind to it and work hard.
- Always be grateful for what you already have, give, and teach without expecting anything in return.
- Family including non-blood family means everything.
Favorite actors/ movies:
My favorite movie 16 candles, Arnold Schwarzenegger one of my favorite all-time actors, Dolly Parton, Pamela Anderson, Roman Reigns.
Favorite books and authors:
Avalanche, J. Roth, Cassandra Beck, you are the chosen one
Music and artist you listen to while training:
Alicia Keys, Evol, like me one of my favorite, Culture Beat, Brittany Spears, Nickleback, Rihanna, Frank Sinatra, Billy Currington, Halestorm-all genres-whatever gets me going!
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Optimism, self-confidence, tenacity, communication, and trust.
Favorite Quotes:
Do yourself a favor, do it yourself. I love it!!
Photographer: Peter Michailidis
