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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWWhat inspired you to enter the world of bikini bodybuilding, and how did it feel to earn your IFBB Pro Card in 2023?I had been lifting weights and going to the gym for over 13 years when people at the gym started encouraging me to compete. At the time, I had no idea what bodybuilding was. The suggestion kept coming up, so I decided to look into it. When I turned 40, I made the decision to compete in a show as a %u201cbucket list%u201d item. I ended up winning the novice division and placing second in both the 35+ and 40+ categories. After that, I thought I should take it more seriously and do another show. I found a %u201creal coach,%u201d Ryan Hinton at Legacy Physiques, and started competing more seriously. After competing in 7 national shows, I finally won my Pro Card at North Americans in 2023.Winning my Pro Card was an incredible feeling. After competing for so many seasons and coming close several times, it was exciting to finally achieve that goal. Being among professional bikini bodybuilders is such an honor. This sport is about more than just athleticism; it%u2019s about consistency, dedication, and staying disciplined with diet day in and day out.As a partner at Post House in Sag Harbor, what sets this boutique fitness gym apart from others in the fitness industry?Post House is not a traditional membership gym. We are open to everyone and welcome all. We offer curated classes led by expert trainers, as well as private training sessions. We are the hottest health space in the Hamptons! At Post House, you can train hard, learn new techniques, be guided by excellent trainers, enjoy awesome music playlists, and become part of a community of health-minded individuals who want to live their best lives.How did your background in real estate development begin, and what has been the most rewarding project you%u2019ve worked on in the Southwest?I%u2019ve always loved residential properties and architecture. Even as a little girl, I was obsessed with driving through upscale neighborhoods and looking at the beautiful homes. I dreamed of designing my own home %u201cwhen I grew up.%u201d I%u2019ve been hands-on in all of our home projects, and that eventually led me to start my own development company last year. Right now, we are focused on senior living communities, creating functional yet beautiful homes for retirement individuals.What was the motivation behind founding Tickle Water, and how did the idea of creating a fun, healthy beverage for kids come about?My son, Jayger, was the inspiration. I always drink sparkling water, and one day I gave him some to try when he was about four years old. He took his first sip, laughed, and giggled. I told him the water was %u201ctickling his tongue,%u201d and the name Tickle Water stuck. I realized that if we could make water fun for kids, we could encourage them to drink more water, consume less sugar, and avoid soda. That%u2019s how Tickle Water was born. We created five delicious flavors with no sugar, no sweeteners, no preservatives, and a softer bubble for younger palates.How did you feel when Tickle Water was acquired in 2021, and what did you learn from the process of building and selling a successful brand?I felt proud, accomplished, and thrilled! The beverage industry is extremely tough, with more than 90% of new beverages failing. To have my brand acquired was a huge achievement, especially since I started from the ground up and took it all the way to an acquisition without any outside investment.However, I also felt a bit sad. After eight years of dedicating 60 hours a week to Tickle Water, it had become such a big part of my identity. I went through a period of disillusionment after selling the brand, unsure of what was next for me. Bodybuilding helped me navigate through that. It gave me a new set of tasks, goals, and purpose.With experience in the luxury collectibles world, what were some of the most memorable auctions you managed for Antiquorum?I loved managing the sales in Geneva and Hong Kong. It was always thrilling to work with international clients and witness the process of setting up an entire auction in just a few days. The fast pace, the client services, and the hospitality side of auctions were my favorite parts. There%u2019s no room for error in an auction, so you always have to be on top of your game.54 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 58