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Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in fitness and become an NPC Bikini Athlete?I%u2019ve always loved health, fitness, and being active! Growing up, I was a competitive athlete, playing softball, basketball, and running cross country. As an adult, I turned to running, CrossFit, and eventually fell into the sport of bodybuilding. I thrive on new, competitive challenges%u2014they keep my fire burning. Right out of high school, I got bilateral Bell%u2019s palsy, which rocked my world and stole all the confidence I had built up in my younger life. Fitness has been my biggest healing tool over the past 20-plus years, and I couldn%u2019t imagine life without it. Initially, the physique of a bikini athlete inspired me to take the leap. As I got started, it became so much more than that! Being a bikini athlete requires structure, discipline, and a big emphasis on nutrition, which excited me. The confidence and strength it has built inside of me are second to none.Q: How do you balance your roles as a wife, mother, and business owner while maintaining your fitness regimen?I wish I could say I have balance, ha! It%u2019s forever a juggling game! To be successful at anything, you need discipline and structure. Time-blocking my day seems to work great, although there are always curveballs with life. I wake up with intention every morning and set aside a couple of hours for myself. Most days, it%u2019s from 4 AM to 6 AM, which I call %u201cmy golden hour.%u201d I mentally plan out my day, meal prep, get steps in on our treadmill, and stretch/roll/cold plunge. My gym time is usually while the kids eat their breakfast and get ready for school or after I drop them off. Summers are a bit more challenging, but I make it work. Having a home gym has taken so much stress out of my fitness equation. I%u2019ve also found that if I complete my workouts in the morning, it frees up my day so I can be present and productive with my family, work, and life. My husband and I own our business together, so we see each other most days. We also have set rituals, like having an afternoon cup of coffee together and talking about our day.Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you%u2019ve faced as an athlete over 40, and how have you overcome them?Life gets busier the older you get. Some younger athletes don%u2019t have families or careers yet and can focus solely on bodybuilding. I see that as a challenge for myself and try to work smarter, not harder. Of course, being over 40 comes with its own obstacles, but embracing every part and all the hard work is magical.Q: Can you share your daily routine, including workouts, meals, and family time?My morning usually starts around 3:30 to 4 AM. I get up, have a cup of coffee, and spend my two hours stretching, rolling, cold plunging, meal prepping, and walking for at least half an hour on the treadmill. I eat five meals a day, all balanced with carbs, protein, and fat. My first meal, whether I%u2019m in prep or not, is typically cream of rice with a bit of nut butter and protein on the side like chicken or tilapia. I have an egg sensitivity; otherwise, I would be eating eggs! Around 6 to 6:30 AM, I start getting my kids up and ready for school. My gym time is either at home while they are eating breakfast or right after I drop them off at school. After the gym, I%u2019m off to work, where I see my husband. Sometimes at lunch, we walk together to get some extra steps in. I always pack all of my meals in a little cooler before I leave for the day to stay on plan easily. After picking up the kids from school, I usually make them a healthy snack, and we sit at the kitchen table to talk about our day. We always try to have a home-cooked family dinner together. The kids have watched their mom and dad eat healthy foods, and they emulate the same. Unless there%u2019s a late night with football practice, I am in bed by 8:30 to 9 o%u2019clock. Six and a half to seven hours of sleep is where I thrive!Q: What advice do you have for women over 40 who are looking to start their fitness journey?You can absolutely do it, and I encourage it! Fitness and nutrition, in my opinion, are the keys to a long, happy life! Forty is still so young!Q: How do you stay motivated to continue competing and training at such a high level?My crazy competitive nature keeps me going! I have a hard time stopping until I%u2019ve reached my goal. The structure of bodybuilding brings a sense of calmness and organization to my life. I also have the most supportive husband and kids! They%u2019re so proud of me and encourage me every step of the way. My family holds me accountable and doesn%u2019t want me to give up. I couldn%u2019t ask for more.64 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 49