Page 51 - Demo

www.MOSTmag.com || FITNESS MAG A ZINE || 51MFM: The person who has influenced you the most?CR: Today my God influences me the most, but my mother also shapes me. She and I have been through trying times, but no matter the good and bad we have struggled through, she has taught me to survive, to fight, to believe in myself and to be all that I can be in every aspect of my life.MFM: How did you get the alcoholic and drug addictions out of your body? How did it feel to win this battle?CR: What many people don%u2019t understand about alcoholism is that %u201conce an alcoholic, always an alcoholic.%u201d Recovery is a way of life for me, and by remaining active in service and principles to live by it has given me the ability to experience life in a way that I never believed I could. Alcohol takes 7 days to completely detox from your body, and drugs (depending on the kind) can last 30 days or longer. There are various symptoms of withdrawal that will show up even after detoxing. I immersed myself into a program of action that allowed me to build a relationship with myself and God to keep me strong in this faith that no matter what happens in life, I never have to seek a substance to %u2018not feel%u2019 anymore. I feel like I am a butterfly spreading my wings, with endless room to grow and fly. It is not always easy but every day I am grateful for another day that I have the power to choose my way in Love or Fear.MFM: You mentioned a particular date %u201cApril 4th, 2006%u201d in your bio, when you free yourself from the bondage of addictions and started a clean and sober life, describe that day for us.CR: That day was the day I woke up and forced myself into an uncomfortable place. I realized I couldn%u2019t do it alone, and I was going to need help to make a life change. I was a complete mess, crying, not sure what day it was or where I was going. I just didn%u2019t want to make another poor decision; I didn%u2019t want to drink or to use drugs because I absolutely loathed every fiber of my being. I could not see straight. When I finally admitted that I had no power and needed help, it was so scary and completely out of my character, but in a way it brought relief. Basically, I was ready to look at my actions that led me to complete willingness to change. I didn%u2019t see how selfish I was in the midst of it, but that is what it means to be relieved, rid of selfish ways, and I was ready to change.MFM: Do you consider yourself a religious person?CR: I consider myself spiritual, not religious. I believe in God and am always working towards building my relationship with that God. I believe that everyone should be able to have their own experience in that way. I also find value in all the religious practices.MFM: What made you motivated to get into fitness competitions?CR: I found out about fitness from a close friend of mine, who suggested that I would be very good because of my experience competing in cheerleading, dance, and gymnastics. I was not able to continue with cheerleading because the community college I was attending didn%u2019t have a squad that I was interested in. The love I had for strength training and nutrition inspired me to look further into it.