Throughout my life I have been involved in sports. My Dad played college baseball for the University Of Pennsylvania and my Mom played tennis. We lived on a farm and rode horses as I was growing up. I have 2 younger brothers as well and a younger sister too!  I started out playing soccer, basketball and t-ball.  T-ball was with the boys, since they didn't have a girls softball league at the time.  My Dad was the coach and I was the only girl in the league!  My mom coached my basketball and softball teams for many years and we were always the champs!  My parents ALWAYS emphasized to us, winning isn't everything, although..it is nice :)!  By middle school, I was a three sport gal, field hockey, basketball and softball.  My two younger brothers were always involved in sports as well…we were a VERY athletic family.   My brother John, went onto play Lacroose for Penn State and Chris played Lacrosse for Syracuse and was the head face-off man! 

Sure, I would say I have always been an athlete, but I have also faced many challenges in my life.  At age 16, I was admitted to the hospital for Anorexia.  It was a very difficult time in my life.  My parents were going through a divorce, we had moved a few times, and I lost belief, and faith in myself.  I couldn't control what was going on around me, but I could control what went into my mouth, or lack of, I should say.  I didn't feel as though I was worthy of anything.  For when we feel unworthy, it is when we are farthest from God.  I spent 1 month in the hospital, and returned back to my sports, but with many restrictions.  I was weighed before every practice, and if I didn't make my weight, I didn't play.  That forced me to conform to the rules, but didn't teach me what caused my eating disorder.  It wasn't until later in life that I figured it out.  Finally at age 34, in 2008 things became clear to me as to why I suffered from what can become such a DEADLY DISEASE!

In high school, my dream was to play Field Hockey in college for a division 1 school. I devoted myself completely to that 1 sport and hired my own personal trainer to help me achieve that goal. I discovered immediately how much I enjoyed the grueling sessions with my trainer…he was tough…no mercy! I thrived on the challenge! Thanks Mark! The seed had been planted. I decided that this was what I wanted to do in the future. I love to work out so why not help others achieve their own fitness goals at the same time, while helping them boost their self esteem as well. I absolutely love to help others. I accomplished my dream and played field hockey for the University of Maryland. My trainer hired me as a trainer and got me started in the business. Once I trained my first client, I was hooked. What fun! I discovered how rewarding it is to truly have a positive impact on a person’s life. Years passed, I was training clients off and on.

Then I went into law enforcement and met the love of my life, my hubby Steve. He and I train together, which is great! A little more than a year after we were married our beautiful daughter Taylor came along in 2000. This was one of the happiest moments of my life, and life altering in more ways than I knew at the time. First, due to our crazy schedules, Steve and I decided it was best for me to leave the police department to stay home to take care of Taylor. They say all things happen for a reason and boy did I find out how right that is. This led me into my passion and true calling. I began training clients again in 2003 and officially opened GST Strength & Fitness Training..now  called GST Fitness & Wellness in April 2005.

There have been many people that have inspired me in the fitness/health industry, one of them, who has become a very close, dear friend, Monica Brant-Peckham.   Monica introduced me to the sport of Figure.  She planted the seed in me to compete.  She also introduced me to my trainer/nutritionist Kim Oddo.  I stepped onstage for the first time on June 10, 2006, competing in 4 contests that year!  I won my first show!  Having fun and learning from every show as well.  On 10-18-08, I competed in my 1st bodybuilding show and had the best time of my life!  I will be competing in Nationals in Atlanta, GA on Nov.21 and 22nd, 2008, finishing up the year with that show.  I am sure that I will be stepping on stage a few more times as well ;)  My goals in bodybuilding, are to bring back femininity to the sport and to inspire others to go after their fitness goals!  God and my Savoir Jesus Christ have shown me the right path to walk down..and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL for that!

I am proud to be different from the “usual” personal trainer. I take on each client as an individual, each with their own personal needs and goals. Each and every one of them is treated with  the utmost respect and is special to me. I pride myself in the personal touch approach that I take. I’ve learned that it is in giving that we receive the greatest gift. I look at myself as a life coach. I help my clients with not only their physical training, but also with their nutrition and their self esteem. I help to motivate my clients in every facet of their lives. To help them realize that ALL things are possible in this life. There are no boundaries except the ones that we create for ourselves. Every thought we think reverberates across the universe, touching everyone and everything. We All make a difference and are worthy of all of our dreams!