When something feels right, you just do whatever it takes to keep that feeling. I stumbled upon competing in the NPC about 3 years ago. It started with looking in a Flex Mag and realizing that my friend Kathleen Tesori (originally a Hawaiian Tropic girl) had won first place in a show. I knew Hawaiian Tropic Pageants were coming to a deadly halt for me, since it was being sold to a more conservative company named Energizer and Playtex. What was I going to miss? My sisters. The laughs, the bonding, and the love from all the girls which when those would look at us would think we were heartless money hungry, tacky women, wanna-be Playmates, and even rejects of the 'REAL' pageant world. Some of us were. Most of us wanted to get somewhere in the "industry" and utilized Hawaiian Tropic as a stepping stone. All of us had something in common; we loved to travel, we all had boy problems, and we loved to dress up and pretend to be someone when signing autographs. We all had the chance to be one with each other off the stage, but became competitors once the lights hit the stage. Either way the experience left me drooling for more in my late 20's. And since than the NPC has filled that void. I came in as an NPC competitor at a soaking wet 100 lbs. Mismatched bikini, light tan, ruby red slippers, and no muscle tone... I was able to place last in my first Flex show. I was saddened that again I was not any ones top five, but my spirit got rocketed into the fourth dimension as losing isn't my specialty; working my ass off is. Determined as I was, I strapped my feet in and did what most competitors dream of... I looked for a sponsor. If there is anything that pageants taught me, it's to set up a proposal and get what you want yourself. If no one notices you, you make your self known. And I did, picking up sponsorship with CNP Performance (www.cnpperformance.com). But it wasn't a hay ride, I sold protein out of my car for a WHILE. Once I had shown my loyalty, they throw me on the team and called me one of their own. Now I can proudly say, I am a CNP Sponsored Athlete. Just a quick fast-forward to my last competition, NPC West Coast Classic. Mind you, when I first ever did a show it was back in 2011. Now, being that its 2013, a lot has changed. My body can lift more than 5lbs, I can do a full range squat, and I am no longer that passive girl who is afraid to roll around in the weights with the big boys. Also, My boyfriend Wil and I started our own business together called, "We Care Fitness". We eventually would like to cater to the addict or alcoholic who is suffering with recovery by channeling their energy to fitness. As of right now, we are working with private clients, and a group meets up at the park. It's a wonderful start up and we continue to change lives, one drop of sweat at a time.Thanks for reading...
