I have always been an active person, but my love for fitness did not always speak the volumes it does today. I took tons of dance classes from age 8 to 17, played softball throughout middle school, and always looked forward to recess and physical education classes (except the running part... I HATE running).

 

At 18, I pursued the independent adult life and fell off the “fit” wagon for a few years. I worked two jobs, lived on my own, was involved in a relationship, and took 16 credits at Old Dominion University.  I became so consumed with all of my responsibilities that the idea of “me time” was null and void. Heck, I could hardly remember to eat let alone stay physically fit. 

 

In 2013 my relationship ended and my life took a turn for the better. I looked in the mirror unhappy with the woman standing in front of it. I let myself go. I had no rear end (and growing up I was always known for my juicy butt) and I was noticeably underweight.  With inspiration from my mother who was a bikini competitor, I decided to enroll in a gym.  My independent mind entered the gym and took a go at the machines without an idea in the world about what it takes to gain muscle or the desire to ask anyone what to do.  Instead, I just figured if I did a few reps on some machines I’d gain muscle. Boy was I wrong about how intricate gaining muscle actually is.  I did start to see some booty gains as I based the bulk of my repetitions on leg machines.  Those gains were the gains that fueled my interest in multiple sessions at the gym every week. 

 

I moved from Virginia to Florida in 2013 and took another stumble off the “fit” wagon.  I let a relationship consume me once again.

 

Finally in 2016 I took another look in the mirror and yet again felt unhappy with the woman looking back at me.  With no booty and hardly enough weight to keep my pants up, I knew it was time for change. I enrolled in a gym and was lucky enough to have a friend attend with me who knew a lot about fitness.  I was hooked quickly not only because I was finally seeing full body results, but also because I was finally confident in the gym. 

 

Shortly thereafter I pursued a relationship with a body builder and learned more than I ever had before.  Unfortunately when I left her I fell into a depression and lost a lot of weight in a short period.  For the last time I looked in the mirror saddened by the way I looked and felt.  I said to myself, “Enough is enough. I deserve to look in this damn mirror and be proud of the woman staring back at me.  I will never again let another human consume me and take away ‘me.’”  From that day on I have been choo chooin’ down the freaking gain train of a lifetime and I could not be happier.

 

My passion is to lift women up into this state of confidence I am so blessed to be in, and encourage the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.  Every woman deserves to be a happy, confident badass that “don’t need no mans (or woman’s),” oker? 

 

We have one freakin' life.  Come train with Shay and let’s live it!