I grew up in a single parent home where money was tight and supervision was low. I often ate what I could prepare on my own, which was often Spaghettios or hot dogs. I 
ate dinner alone in my room on a TV tray. I ate almost no vegetables, and for most of my life, I was known as “the only girl in the world who doesn’t eat salad”…or anything green for that matter. However, sugar and treats were always a friend to me, and a regular part of my daily life.
When I was a teenager, I was a cheerleader and I began comparing myself to other teens who were thinner. I was tempted to diet but, because many of my friends suffered from eating disorders, I was fiercely against counting calories and diets.
After my first year in college I put on the classic “Freshman 15.” I was determined to lose weight so I worked hard at the gym and ate less (although not healthy foods), resulting in desired weight loss.
However, soon after, I moved to Italy and enjoyed my fill of bottomless pasta, gelato, baguettes and jam filled crescents. Subsequently, I gained 25 pounds in 9 short months.
When I returned to college I tried to work it off but I was largely unsuccessful. I had no self-control and I had no idea how to eat healthy. And even if I did, I didn’t like many healthy options.
After graduating from college and moving to San Francisco, I discovered a fresh approach to weight loss and joined my first-ever food accountability group. I loved what I learned about listening to my body for hunger and fullness cues. Following this extreme self-discipline, I successfully returned to my ideal weight.
Soon after, I became pregnant with my first child. I gained 40 pounds in 9 months. Afterwards, following the same disciplined approach, it took 9 months to get the weight back off.
With each of my two subsequent pregnancies, I followed the same pattern of 40 pound weight gain and slow weight loss. I discovered another approach to mindful eating which taught the concept of a hunger scale. I lost the weight, however, again, I was not eating healthy, I was just eating less.
Finally, I found a book that helped teach me a little more about health and explained that it all comes down to math: Calories in and calories out. Since I had been fiercely opposed to counting calories my whole life, I was hesitant. However, since I loved exercise and knew I could burn a lot of calories, I gave it a try, while incorporating some healthier foods, and it worked. However, I did not like how it made me feel obsessive about food. Scanning packages for calories and researching websites to find calories for each food I ate…it was exhausting and consuming.
Meanwhile, I had been watching a dear friend on Facebook share about her own health and fitness journey. Quite frankly, I was annoyed with her posts. What was it that 
annoyed me so much? Was I jealous that she was showing up every day and having success and I wasn’t?
Finally, at the end of 2015, I became frustrated with my growing “muffin top” and how my clothes were fitting. I gave in and reached out to my friend who was a Beachbody Coach and asked for help.
I reluctantly signed up to try Shakeology. I was a skeptic about drinking a shake, period. I was a skeptic about paying a lot of money for a shake. I was a skeptic about its effectiveness. But I signed up with a preferred customer discount and borrowed my other friends’ “Insanity” DVD and was determined to start the big change on January 11, 2016.
In the meantime, my box arrived from Beachbody, which included color-coded containers and a nutrition plan. I spent a lot of time reading about what them both and how they could help. Little did I know, these would be a huge key to my success.
For the first time in my life, I learned to eat properly. I learned that I was way over in carbs and way under in protein, among other things. So, I finally had my answer. Even though I was working out five days a week, I was not seeing any results because of what I was eating.
I loved to find out that I could have one “cheat meal” a week so I wouldn’t be deprived, and this was something that I could sustain and create a healthy lifestyle from.
I struggled with digestive problems Irritable Bowel Syndrome for most of my life. I used to take prescription medication every day to deal with the discomfort. When I added Shakeology to my diet, it introduced enzymes and pro-biotics to my daily intake. I’m amazed to say that Shakeology and cleaner eating has solved my life-long struggle with irregular digestion! I can’t even tell you what an incredible relief this is on a daily basis. What a relief to finally have regular digestion as part of my overall health. Additionally, I have more energy, stronger and healthier hair and nails, clear skin and I feel great!
I successfully completed 60 days of the “Insanity” workouts in my living room, I drank Shakeolgy every day, and I followed the portion control nutrition plan. I also enjoyed the added bonus of a free Accountability/Challenge Group that was hugely helpful in encouraging me every day of the journey. After three months I was shocked to find that I lost 16 pounds and many inches (including the muffin top)! I fit back into all of my jeans comfortably, I didn’t have to unbutton my jeans every time I sat down at the dinner table or in the car, and I gained great abs and definition! Overall, I felt confident and comfortable in my own skin!
After a few months, my friend and Coach invited me to become a coach since I was so consistent about checking into our group and encouraging other members. However, I have never been a fan of sales, and while I like hosting direct sales parties for friends, I was never “that kind of person.” I said “no” to my Coach several times.
Then one day, when my Coach explained that this opportunity was not about sales, but rather, it was about “coming alongside people and encouraging them on their health and fitness journey,” I realized: I can do that.
So I April of 2016, I became a Health and Fitness Coach. I was scared out of my mind. I didn’t want to tell anyone. I was afraid that people would see me and run. But, I
mustered up the courage and I began sharing my own personal journey with my friends, face-to-face, and later with my Facebook community of friends. Soon I began the awesome job of coming alongside people on their health and fitness journey! I loved being an encourager, it came naturally to me, and it was fulfilling.
I also have the privilege of being a part of the Dream Team, the number one team in all of the Beachbody organization. Therefore, I receive the best training from the number one Coach in the company.
My Coach and her business partner founded Team Lives Transformed and I have been so blessed to be a part of a team who truly desires to see lives transformed from the inside out. We recognize that the whole person is in transition when you decide to focus on health. I have created special friendships with many wonderful women.
As I share this amazing business opportunity with others, I am so honored to be able to train up my own team of passionate, loving, authentic women of integrity. I am the founder of Team Freedom Fighters and I absolutely love being a part of women being healthy role models for their families as well as financial contributors. We have women who are stay home moms, college students, home school moms, teachers and full time employees of other organizations. I am always looking to grow my team with like-minded women who are passionate about helping people experience freedom in all areas of life and to be transformed from the inside out.
Coaching has also stretched me in many wonderful ways and has given me opportunities I could have never dreamed of. I’ve been invited to speak at Beachbody events to share my story and encourage other coaches. I’ve earned success club trips to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and to Riviera Maya in Cancun. I still cannot believe that I was able to take my husband on two all-inclusive rewards trips—what a gift! I have also had the opportunity to travel to New Orleans for the Beachbody corporate convention (Summit) and receive world-renowned training from Brendon Burchard and Darren Hardy. I was recently invited to a Leadership Retreat in Orlando, Florida with the top Coaches in the organization. Additionally, I have been recognized as a lifetime Diamond Coach and a Success Club All Star, which means that I have successfully helped many people get healthier every single month for over a year. I’m totally humbled to be able to make an impact on so many lives while leading them to a place of hope and transformation.
Never in a million years would I have thought that THIS would be my story. I am experiencing health, fitness, freedom, purpose and joy like I never knew I could!
I hope you will join me!