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Biography

Growing up
Growing up was both interesting and fun. When I was still a small child, my mother enrolled me into gymnastics to keep me from using up my excess energy by bouncing off the walls at home. I competed in gymnastics until sixth grade, when unfortunately our house burned down. We moved to a trailer out in the country, and I was told that I would have to give up gymnastics in order for my mom, my brother and me to rebuild our lives. During that period I learned to live for the moment at hand, have fun, and most of all, never take anything for granted. Since I still had plenty of excess energy to burn off, I took up horseback riding and fishing, and tumbled in the yard as much as possible.

In Jr High and High school
I gave volleyball a try, but ultimately decided that it was not for me. From the eighth grade onward, I was on the cheerleading squad. I always ended up being the bottom girl on our pyramids. I certainly didn't have a bodybuilder's physique, yet I did not look like the toothpick-thin Barbie dolls who made up the rest of the cheerleading squad. I remained a cheerleader until things began to go wrong for me.

In 1999 I had my son,
which made me very happy, but did not do anything to help my physical condition. I was disgusted with myself. I weighed two hundred fifteen pounds, and especially on my 5'5'' frame, that made me look like a balloon that escaped from the Macy's parade, or the Pillsbury Doughboy after he had eaten one crescent roll too many. I knew I had to get back into shape and find an activity I enjoyed.

In 2000, I joined a gym and began training with weights. When I first told my friends, and the others at the gym, that I intended to become a professional fitness model and compete, they could not help snickering. "You? A fitness example?" they snorted. This only made me more determined than ever to prove them all wrong. Kristy, who was my trainer at Body Tech Gym, competed in bodybuilding and really got me into the sport. I knew I did not want to take my physique to her extreme, but thought it would be fun and give me a goal. I made a promise to myself that if I reached my goal weight, I would compete. In August 2001 I reached my goal of 135 pounds and started searching for a competition for which to train. Kristy said she wanted me to pick one just to get my feet wet initially, and then get serious about it. I finally chose the Women's Tri-Fitness competition that was to be held in Tampa, Florida, around the first of November. While I was preparing for that contest, Kristy had to transfer jobs, but before she left she referred me to a few other great trainers who would help me through my task.

I trained very hard with my new trainers, Mike at Mike's Fitness Studio, and Shelby, who had also competed in bodybuilding. I dieted down to 122 pounds and 11 percent body fat. I was the leanest I had ever been in my life. I went to Tampa, not knowing exactly what to expect. I met many wonderful girls such as Gina Oakes and Mocha Lee, just to name a couple. I learned a lot, admired most of the women there, and most importantly, now I had new goals. I was hooked! I placed second in my age/height group and tenth overall, making me a qualifier for the Fitness America Nationals. I was excited. However, Nationals was only three weeks away, and Mike and Shelby were busy training for competitions themselves. This left me on my own. Even so, I continued to train and decided to go to Nationals because it was a chance of a lifetime. It was also the first time ever I skipped my Granny's Thanksgiving dinner! I went into Nationals nowhere near as lean as I had been in Tampa, but I was still proud of myself and felt like a million bucks. I had already won my battle of weight loss, and proven to so many people that I could reach my dream, and that was good enough for me. I had a blast at the Fitness America Nationals in Las Vegas, and I met back up with a few of the other contestants from the Women's Tri Fitness competition.

Only three weeks after Nationals I had to have surgery. I did nothing physical for six weeks, and so gained a little of my weight back. In March 2002 I received a letter stating that I had qualified for the Fitness Universe contest in June. At first, I did not think I could do it because I had just undergone the surgery and the doctor had told me I should not be training. But as time passed, I once again convinced myself that "this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience." In May, I decided that I wanted to do the show. I trained and dieted for six weeks under the supervision of a local bodybuilder, Body Tech Gym owner, and former Mr. Alabama, Ron. It was a different type of training. Ron told me what to do and what to eat for the week, and I did it. I was self-motivated, but just did not prepare in time.

I went to Fitness Universe and enjoyed every minute of it. I did all the extra things the producers had planned for us competitors, and I had the best time of my life. However, I decided I would not compete again unless I put 110 percent into my training, routine and dieting for the appropriate amount of time, and am totally ready mentally. This is a great sport, but it takes much dedication, focus and time. By the end of 2002 I had changed my focus for the time being, while I am in school. I trained and help others to become more fit. Feb 9, 2003 I ran the Mercedes Marathon, a 26.2-mile run. I am currently helping my family to be more health conscious, and have returned to weight training to reduce health risk. I am also training several clients and helping others to compete as well as modeling as much as possible all while trying to finish college (Nursing major), working, manage my bills and taking care of my six year old son and being a awesome MOM. So if you Email me due to my hectic schedule and tons of Email please know that it may take a little while to get back to you but I will respond because I read and write all my own mail.

Overall, I never imagined everything that has happen to me would as a result of my fitness goals I become a Motivation and Inspiration for many and open up all kinds of doors for myself. Thru my personal training knowledge I have helped many people get back on track, start a new program, and/or give advice. I have appeared as a motivational speaker, Spoke to elementary children as a cartoon character "Muscles Mahogany", got tons of modeling offers, appeared in "Stolen Grace" a movie, as well as maintaining a fun hobby of weight training and competing. I have definitely attained and exceeded the goals I set for myself, and believe, if a 5'5 1/2", 215-pound butterball can transform herself and achieve all I have there is hope for anyone that will put forth the effort! Plus, I am willing to Help just drop me an email!
Tracey