During my pregnancy with my son, I encountered a time when fitness and pregnancy seemed incompatible. The advice I received was centered around phrases like "eat for two," "don't workout while pregnant," and "you should rest." However, as an athlete this didn't resonate with me. And coming from a corporate background with limited fitness exposure beyond my athletic background made navigating this period as a first-time mom even more challenging. As a result, I gained 75 pounds.

Around this time, I also experienced a major life change in relocating from New Jersey to Texas. I found myself lost of familiar faces and during this transition I stumbled upon a gym offering childcare services and small-group training sessions led by their personal trainers. Joining this fitness community not only helped me shed the weight, I surpassed my original pre-pregnancy weight and left inspired to embark on a new journey.

The camaraderie and support I experienced from these trainers and peers motivated me to have a career as a personal trainer. I wanted to use my own transformation story as a means to inspire and encourage others who may find themselves in similar situations. So, I became a fitness professional not only to better myself but also to uplift and motivate those around me on their respective fitness journeys.