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Can you describe what led to your %u201cmoment of reckoning%u201d at 48, and how it inspired you to start a new chapter in your life?At 48, I had a wake-up call when I looked in the mirror and realized that, after years of focusing on my interior design business and raising two children, I had completely neglected myself. The vibrant, confident woman I once knew had faded. It was a defining moment when I understood that I needed to prioritize myself again and take control of my health and well-being. That realization ignited the start of my fitness journey, setting me on a new path toward reclaiming my confidence and womanhood.How did you balance running a successful interior design business and raising two children while also embarking on your fitness journey?Balancing it all was definitely a challenge, but I realized that prioritizing my health didn%u2019t mean sacrificing other parts of my life. I learned to schedule fitness as part of my daily routine, much like an important business meeting. With two children and a thriving business, time management was key%u2014I made sure to carve out time for workouts, meal prep, and self-care while still giving my family and business the attention they deserved.What challenges did you face in reclaiming your confidence and sense of self after years of focusing on others?The biggest challenge was getting past the mental blocks%u2014the self-doubt and the feeling that it was too late to focus on myself. After years of prioritizing everyone else, it was difficult to shift my mindset and believe that I deserved to be confident, healthy, and sexy. It took a lot of mental work to get past the fear of being judged and to embrace this new journey wholeheartedly.How did running two LA marathons contribute to your physical and mental transformation?Running the two LA marathons was a pivotal experience in my journey. Physically, it pushed my body to new limits, and although I didn%u2019t see immediate changes in my appearance, the mental transformation was profound. The discipline, endurance, and sense of achievement from completing those marathons gave me mental clarity and a renewed sense of purpose. It also taught me that transformation is as much about mindset as it is about physical changes.What role did your fitness coach play in your six-month preparation for your first fitness competition?My fitness coach was instrumental in guiding me through that six-month preparation. They not only pushed me physically but also helped me stay focused mentally. With their support, I transformed my diet and training regimen, learning what my body was truly capable of. My coach helped me break through barriers and fine-tune every aspect of my fitness, setting me up for success in my first competition.How did you feel during your first professional photoshoot with George Kontaxis, and what made you decide to take that step?My first professional photoshoot with George Kontaxis was a huge leap for me. I had always been shy in front of the camera, but I felt it was time to step into the spotlight and celebrate my transformation. I wanted to show myself%u2014and other women%u2014that it%u2019s never too late to feel sexy and powerful. It was an incredibly empowering experience, and seeing myself through the lens of that photoshoot was a turning point in how I viewed myself.As a designer, what inspired you to create your own outfits for your photoshoots, and how did that enhance your overall vision?As an interior designer and former fashion designer, I%u2019ve always had a strong creative vision, and designing my own outfits for the photoshoots felt like a natural extension of that. I wanted my outfits to reflect my strength and confidence, so I put my heart into every detail. Creating these pieces allowed me to craft a look that felt authentic to who I was becoming, blending my passion for design with my journey of self-expression.InterviewExclusive72 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 58