What got you so interested in Fitness Competitions?
One day, I was watching TV and saw the Fitness America Pageant. I thought, "I could do that". Not having any experience in dance or gymnastics, I knew I could excel in the swimwear part of the competition and would have to work very hard at the routine part. I also loved the way that the women looked: not too muscular, but in good shape. I realized, though, that it would be extremely difficult for me to compete in fitness shows with a routine portion since I had no dance or gymnastics background. I decided to compete in the Galaxy show first. This show had an obstacle course.
How did you do?
I ended up 11th place out of about 300 girls that showed up that year. That was in 1996, this was also my first competition.
Which type of fitness competition do you enjoy more, obstacle course or routine-based ones?
I used to think it was the obstacle course ones. I still do a little. But now I enjoy training for the ones with a routine. It is extremely challenging for me to learn a routine. I now am learning how to do a straddle jump, back flip, and splits. These things are so hard to learn, but I really enjoy the challenge. I think that this is what makes it fun for me-learning things I have never done before.
What kind of background do you have?
I grew up participating in all kinds of sports, soccer, volleyball, basketball & track. Soccer was the one sport I really excelled at. By my junior year in high school, I was captain of my soccer team. After high school, I stopped playing soccer and started competing in triathlons. After a couple of years, I needed to have knee surgery which took away from any kind of training. That ended my participation in triathlons, so I started lifting weights.
Did fitness competitions get you to start modeling?
I've always wanted to be a model, but it wasn't until I started getting into shape that I gained the confidence that I needed. Plus, the fact that I'm not 5' 8" or taller meant that I couldn't do runway. Fitness modeling provided me with a great alternative. Being in great shape gives me a unique way to be different from all the other models!
Do you have any other interest besides fitness competitions?
Yes, It depends what time of year it is. I love wakeboarding in
the summer, snow boarding in the winter.
What are your fitness goals for the next 5 years?
To keep representing Muscletech Products. They're the BEST!!!!!

I would also like to motivate and educate women about the benefits of
healthy living through exercise, diet, and optimism. Too many women think
that to be perceived by others as beautiful, they must be skinny. I'd like
to motivate women on health & fitness and the power of positivity. I would
also like to be able to have my own competition someday.
How many hours a day do you train?
I do 45- 60 mins of cardio, and pilates 1-2x per week. I also do push ups,
sit ups(with my Ab Maximizer), etc in my home..I also use my hand weights
here and there..Since I don't compete anymore I usually do not go into the
gym and stick to a weight training workout.
How long does it take you to prepare for a fitness competition and what is a typical day for you like when getting ready for one?
Generally, it takes me about 8 weeks to get ready for a show. I'll start my day at 8:00am and go for a run-walk on the beach for an hour. The next hour is spent doing different stretching exercises, then at around 10:00am, I'll eat my first meal. After eating, I'm off to the to train with weights for an hour. By 1:00pm, I'm back at home, eating my second meal. After Meal #2, I'm back out the door to train with my choreographer for an hour. Meal #3 is usually by 4:00pm and by this time, I am exhausted. I'll try to take a nap-very rare-but sometimes, I am lucky enough to sneak one in. Whether or not I take a nap, I always do another session of cardio, either at the gym or at home (I like the treadmill or stationary bike), for an hour. My fourth meal is at 7:00pm. I like to relax afterward and watch tv, "veg" out, and take a hot bath! I'll take my last (5th) meal in at 10:00pm and get to bed about an hour later. And that schedule is provided that I don't have any personal things and/or auditions that I have to work into my day.
What does your diet consist of?
I now eat 4 small meals a day. You can see some examples in my Fitness section. I usually stick to my 1400 cal diet, and snack more through out the day when I am feeling hungry. I eat about 20 grams of protein, 40 grams of carbs and about 8-10 grams of fat per meal.
Do you eat like this all the time?
Oh no! I cheat a lot if I'm not getting ready for a show. I try to eat very clean Monday through Friday with cheat days on the weekend.
How much does it cost to prepare for a competition? Where does the money go?
It can be very expensive to compete in a show. On the low end, it's about $2,000. On the high end, you can plan to spend as much as $5,000 for one show. It all comes down to how much you can do yourself. There is airfare, hotel, food, entry fee, and outfits/swimsuit expenses that need to be covered for each show. If you need to pay a choreographer and trainer to help you, that can run an average of $1500 a month. The expenses can really add up and without a sponsor, many girls are forced to stop competing.
Is it possible for a female to compete and become successful in fitness without quitting a full-time job?
Of course it's possible, but it's extremely difficult. To have to put in at least 4 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week to train for a show while trying to work 40 hours a weekyou'd almost have to be superwoman to be able to do both.
How do you feel about drug use in fitness competition? Have you ever tried them to enhance your performance for a contest?
I have NEVER used any drugs to get ready for a show. It really bums me out that so many girls are using them these days. This is exactly why fitness competitions were started-to get away from the bodybuilding look and provide an avenue for women to compete drug-free. But once girls who were using began to do well in competition, it just took over the sport. It's really upsetting to someone like me who trains extremely hard, naturally.
What do you like best & least about the bodybuilding & fitness world?
The best thing about the industry is the constant motivation to keep in shape. You become driven to stay healthy and fit.
The worst thing? 2 things: Having to watch what you eat ALL of the time & having to deal with the fact that a lot of the women I compete with are using drugs.
If you weren't a fitness competitor, what would you be doing now?
Probably the same thing that I do now: go out on auditions, modeling, commercials, hosting, acting. I really want to do something in the entertainment industry.
3 things that people DON'T know about you:
I have naturally brown hair.
I got married on Valentines Day 1999.
I used to compete in triathlons & biathlons.
3 things people THINK they know about you:
That I ALWAYS stay in shape -- I don't!
That I am not approachable -- I am!
That I grew up playing with dolls -- I was a total tomboy!!!
3 things you WANT people to know about you:
I was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon-a small town near the bottom of the state and that my sign is Cancer.
I really have struggled with my weight, but through diet and exercise, I turned that around.
That I am waiting to be discovered! (Hee! Hee!)
What is your dream for the future?
I mentioned before that I'd like to have my own competition, but I'd like the proceeds to go to charity. One that I am really interested in contributing to is the EDAP (Eating Disorder Awareness & Prevention).
I would also love to host an extreme sports show where I get to do all the sports. Or any show that is cool!
Favorite music/group(s):
I listen to almost everything. Having lived in Fresno, California for 3 years, I learned to love country music. But besides country, I listen to R&B, Top 40, Alternative, etc I am actually a big 80's nut. I like Jewel, Sheryl Crow, The Cranberries, Monica, Heather Nova, Faith Hill. There are way too many to name them all!
Favorite movies:
Pretty Woman. I could still watch this movie over and over. I also like First Wives Club and A Night at the Roxbury (pretty stupid, but funny!). of course my all time favorite, GREASE..
Favorite Actor/Actress:
Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise
Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock
Dream Guy, what do you look for? #990066
Good looking, great personality, intelligent. Loving & giving.
Dream Vacation:
Jamaica! Spending everyday in the sun, waterskiing, jetskiing, kayaking.
Turn-offs/Dislikes:
Smokers, drunks, & people who do not have respect for others.
Favorite foods:
BBQ Ribs, Pizza, Fast Food. I love Filet-o-Fish from McDonalds and Western Bacon Cheeseburgers from Carl's Jr. I also LOVE ice cream!!!
Favorite way to spend the day:
Wake up and eat anything for breakfast, go shopping for the rest of the day and have lunch out. Then spend the rest of the day relaxing and watching TV.
Biggest fear:
That I would die before I have the chance to start a family
Dream car:
Red convertible classic Corvette, 1960-1965
Favorite color:
Purple
Best Fitness Experience:
Becoming a Muscletech Athlete
Worst Fitness Experience:
The Galaxy in Cancun. Too many girls, not organized. Somehow, I didn't even make it into the top 20. Having placed 11th overall the year before, I was very disappointed. Not to mention, I lost $100 in cab rides the first night there

I have a new one that still envolves the Galaxy.. I competed again in 2000 in Marina Del Rey.. I blew my knee out, had 3 surgeries, and got fat. I think that I should not compete in the Galaxy anymore...