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I also have worked part time for Protan since 2003.. I attend top level amateur and IFBB professional competitions and assist the athletes backstage as well as manage the "crew". This is literally "hands on " work but I find it very rewarding. The competitors really appreciate being taken care of by one of their own. I have met such awesome people and made lasting friendships with people from all over the nation and world!
Growing up, I was involved in classical dance and cheer leading I started working out after college just to "tone up". It wasn't until I started training with a male friend from high school that I started seeing muscles! I also was watching my boyfriend at the time, Jose Santiago, start to train and eating like a bodybuilder. I watched him compete and do very well.
While visiting Jose, I saw a picture in his trainer's office of Mimi Hollman, who I thought was a fitness competitor. She was muscular and feminine and just beautiful. When I found out she was a bodybuilder I was shocked. My idea of what a female bodybuilder was at that time did not look anything like her. Mimi and I became friends and remain so today. . .She was inspirational. . .thanks MIMI!
Jose introduced me to Tim Gardner of BODY*TECH and he offered all the support I would need to enter my first show. I have worked with Tim ever since I decided to compete. I would not do a show without him. He believes in hard work, basics, tenacity and determination. I never would have imagined I could compete in bodybuilding without their support and encouragement. I still feel most complete on stage with them both there with me.
Jose, motivated me and got me through what I thought was the hardest thing I had ever done (at that time!). He still continues to support me and be proud of my accomplishments. I have to credit him for my success in bodybuliding, I have excelled because of him.
Besides Jose and Tim, I need to also mention my parents and best friend, Nicki. My parents were very skeptical about my journey in bodybuilding, not understanding the time commitment or diet but they hung in there and have become my best supporters. They help financially and are always there for me emotionally.
Because of health reasons they aren't able to come to my shows. My mom came to the first few but isn't able to anymore. It is an empty spot in my night not being able to see them there but I know they are with me, always!
Competition
Tim explained to me about the Team Universe competition I knew right away that was my goal. . . To compete internationally.
After winning the Team Universe in 2001 my dream was coming true. . .And I began preparing to go to Rio (de Janero)! I was so motivated. I held my diet for two long months and continued my pre-contest training.
Then came 9-11 . . .and the world changed. . .The USA could not send us to to Rio for security reasons. There would be no competition for me.
My dream of competing on an international stage was gone. . .Just like the towers. . .My heart was broken. But compared to the los of our country it was a small disappointment.
I guest posed for Tim at his show in Florida in October of 2001, the Hurricane Bay. I was still in great condition. Tampa wasn't Rio but it's my bodybuilding home away from home and I was with my bodybuilding family so it took away some of the sting.
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I competed at the USA in 2002 but my heart wasn't in it so after that I took a year off to reassess, find a balance., figure it out. I took up contact Cardio kickboxing with shisho, Red Dragon, Maritza Miranda. She is truly inspirational!
This training kept me lean throughout the year as well as helped me to gain size in my shoulders (an area I felt I needed improvement on). It also helped give me a balance to my training regime and my mind that I so desperately needed.
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I decided to compete as a bodybuilder one more time at Masters National's (2004) before switching to figure. Well. . .
I won the whole show, much to my surprise!
This propelled me to go to the North Americans to see how I would fair there. After winning my class there and being on stage with such top level amateurs, I felt I had improved enough to go to Nationals in 2005 and try to break the top five. This is a show I never thought I was qualified to compete in due to my small stature.
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