Getting Started

I love fitness. I didn't always love it - in fact I didn't even start running until I got to college. It wasn't until after I graduated that I learned to truly love exercise. Since then I have run everything from a 5k to half-marathons, obstacle races and overnight relays. I've found peace in yoga, a renewed love for horseback riding and an interest in new fitness challenges.


I began my freshman year at Georgia Tech in 2005. I gained the dreaded "Freshman 15" in the first three months, and had no idea how it happened. I was clueless when it came to nutrition and fitness, but luckily my boyfriend was there to help me get started. He took me to the track at the student gym, and told me we were going to run for twenty minutes. Without stopping?! Twenty minutes later I was laying splayed across the floor and panting like I had just run a marathon, but I hadn't even run two miles. This is torture! Why would you ever do this for fun? For the next four years I ran with that mentality: put your earphones in, and let's get this over with.

It's very difficult to get better at running (or fitness in general) with that mentality. Fitting into size 2 jeans is not enough motivation to push yourself to the limit. You have to truly enjoy challenging yourself, experience the joy of accomplishing a goal you thought was impossible, and thrive on seeing your body change and strengthen. In the three years since I've graduated, I've changed my fitness mentality to without struggle, there is no strength. I've seen my body grow and change and develop in ways I never thought it would. I've accomplished things I had never DREAMED of accomplishing. I now work at a nutritional supplement store, and am beginning the process of becoming a personal trainer.

I want to share my fitness journey with others and encourage those of you who think it's impossible. You are capable of more than you can imagine!

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.