I offer online coaching which includes training and nutrition packages to help you reach your goals. I have always been the “chubby” one. And FOOD made me happy.
I was a happy child who loved to eat, you’d never catch me dead saying no to food. I was never really active growing up and our house was always filled with sweets, fried foods, soda, you name it. My mom and dad weren’t bad parents, nutrition was just never a focus in our family; their number one priority was making us happy. So much that I found myself hiding food and sneaking away to eat it in p
rivate because I had just eaten dinner 10 minutes ago. Food was my comfort. Food was my escape. My escape from feelings of insecurity, loneliness and bullying. Not only was I the “chubby” one, but I was “different” from my peers. I was a Pacific Islander in a small town made up of 85% white people. I also grew up in a very diverse family, almost all of my cousins are bi-racial, and my peers would always stare and snicker when they’d see me with my family I didn’t have an unhappy childhood by any means, but it’s not easy being looked at differently at such a young age, and I definitely developed some harsh insecurities early on. Fast forward to high school, where I was beginning to find myself; a little more self-esteem, a little less “baby fat” and a little more self-acceptance of being “different”. I started cheering my sophomore year, so I was little more active, but still carried my unhealthy eating habits from childhood.I went on to cheer on the collegiate level, and college is where I really started learning more about nutrition and training. After my freshman year (haha, hello Freshman 15), I became more aware of my food choices and I was very active (mostly running), but I fell into the awful cycle of under-eating during the week, and bingeing on food and alcohol on the weekends. I would hardly ever touch a carb during the week, but as soon as the weekend hit: HELLO McDonalds, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Natty Light. Although I had adopted somewhat of a healthier and more active lifestyle, it wasn’t until after college that I really started using what I had learned (through self-education) to work towards specific physique goals. I also started a fitness Instagram and followed all the “fit” accounts, back when being a bikini or figure competitor was a BIG deal. I copied what they did, only eating “clean” foods, doing plenty of cardio and lifting weights. I lost some weight and started building a little more muscle but never made any serious progress because I still LOVED to eat. In 2014 I decided to hire a coach. My plan with him, starting out, was just to lose a little bit of weight and body fat. After 6 months, more muscle and less fat, I decided to sign up for my first Figure show. I competed, placed 5th and before I could wash my tan off, I was signed up for my next competition. I fell in love. I found my place and passion in a sport where I felt the most comfortable and confident than I had ever felt in my life. Although bodybuilding is all about being “judged” on the way a person looks, none of that mattered to me. To me it was more than just getting abs and winning a trophy. It was the confidence, the self-acceptance, the discipline, the work ethic and knowledge I gained through my journey that was the most rewarding. Since then, I have competed in four bodybuilding shows, and am now an IPE Figure Pro. I am also currently studying to become a certified NSCA Personal Trainer. Finding my passion in bodybuilding and health and fitness has helped me to live a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle, one in which I hope can help and influence others to do the same. I want to help you become your best self. I want to help you feel good and confident in a mind and body that is “different” than anyone else you’ll ever meet.
