Fitness has always been an important part of my life. Growing up, I was a competitive gymnast and progressed into competitive dance. Professionally, I am a dance instructor to girls and women ranging in age from 8 to 60. I own my own personal training studio called Body By Design where yoga, strength training and nutrition are incorporated into a holistic health regime. I have been a personal trainer since 2001.

I entered my first fitness modeling competition in June, 2008 at the SAF Fitness and Figure Model Search in London. Up until then, I believed I was in “good” shape, but entering fitness competitions motivated me to begin a transformation both physically and psychologically. At these competitions, you are surrounded by beautiful, fit, healthy women and it makes you realize that you can always be better. My goal was to consistently improve in each consecutive competition, and I was able to do that, ultimately placing in the top 3 in three different events in November, 2008.

Since having success in competitions, I am starting to get recognized by photographers and editors of fitness magazines and have had some exposure both in terms of coverage of the competitions and in terms of modeling. I really enjoy modeling and hope to do more of it.

One of my goals is to be a role model to my dance students and personal training clients and I would like to instill in them that it is possible to reach their goals and be their absolute best in life.

My education and professional qualifications include:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Gerontology)
• Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS)
• Fitness Instructor Specialist (FIS)
• Yoga Exercise Specialist (YES)
• Reebok Cycling Instructor
• Sports Strength Specialist -- Level 1 and 2 (SS1/SS2)
• Sports Nutrition Specialist (SNS)