After gaining over 60 pounds with my first child and getting pregnant again six months later, weight became a serious struggle for me. I had two babies who needed me constantly, and like most moms, I put myself at the very bottom of the list. To be honest, I wasn’t even on the list.

Fast forward ten years. Now I had four kids, and I was just… tired. Sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’d tried every fad diet, every quick fix. Sometimes it would work for a while, but I always ended up sabotaging myself. Eventually I started therapy and finally figured out why — I had it backwards. I thought taking care of myself was selfish. But I realized not taking care of myself meant not showing up the way I knew I could.

So, I went all in. I started working out six days a week, tracking my food, and doing the hard work internally too. I lost about 70 pounds and then found out I was pregnant with baby #5 at 39. This pregnancy was different. I kept going. I moved, I stayed consistent, I prioritized myself. And after he was born and I got the all-clear from my doctor, I picked right back up. I ended up losing 104 pounds.

And the best part? My kids were proud of me. I had the energy to play with them instead of just sitting and watching. I wasn’t just surviving anymore. I was living. It hasn’t been perfect. I’ve had setbacks, injuries, and plenty of hard days. But this has become a lifestyle, and I keep going so I can be the example they deserve. One day, I want to be the kind of grandma who’s out there keeping up — not sitting on the sidelines.

I stepped into coaching because I wanted to pay it forward. I know how overwhelming it feels to start, and how easy it is to give everything to everyone else while leaving nothing for yourself. But I also know how incredible it feels when you finally put yourself on the list. I joined this team not only to help others get there, but to keep myself accountable right alongside them.