In my home on a wall plaque, is an inspirational quote by Hilary Cooper that I treasure…..”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” My fitness journey, which began two years ago at age forty, has quite literally left me breathless!
I always have been physically active. My husband and I enjoy kayaking, paddle boarding and boating on Lake George in New York. I just started water skiing a couple years ago. I play golf on a ladies’ nine-hole league at Albany Country Club. During the winter months, I enjoy downhill skiing with my family. The rest of the time, I find myself chasing after my two sons, Austin and Tyler, who are eight and six years old respectively.

So why did I embark on a fitness quest? Turning forty years old was a milestone. I felt I needed to invest more in my health by exercising and eating well. I started going to the local YMCA and working out with a personal trainer, Harold Lloyd. I was amazed that after only a few months, I was seeing results. Friends and family members have complimented me on my appearance. I have more energy and confidence to take on life’s daily challenges.

I am blessed with a beautiful step-daughter Lisa, who is 26 years old and a graduate student at Pepperdine University in Los Angeles. Lisa has entered in several fitness competitions and she has greatly encouraged me to do the same. She highly recommended me to #LindsayMessina, a two-time WBFF World bikini champion and I am thrilled that she and Jennifer Clark have become my fitness coaches. I am so very proud to be one of Lindsay’s “fitness divas”. Not only are these, my two most amazing coaches, but we share a friendship as well, along with my teammates who have the same common goals of physical fitness with “sass and class”!

Recently on April 11, 2015, I shared the stage with twenty-five beautiful women competing for the #WBFF Fitness Atlantic Fitness Diva Masters title. It was my very first bikini competition and I felt nervous and excited. When my name and number was called, I stood in the lights, smiled at the judges and my “breath was taken away”! I did not know what to expect, being this was my first ever, win or lose, but was so completely thrilled to take fifth place in my division & for my team, “the fitness divas”!  I am determined to continue on my fitness journey. Working out and eating healthy are now my way of life. At age forty-two, I can say that I am in the best shape of my life! I believe that I haven’t “peaked” yet. I love the comradery with Lindsay Messina, Jennifer Clark and the other fitness divas. I definitely look forward to other fitness competitions in the         future with “bated breath”!