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Q: You%u2019ve navigated multiple careers from healthcare to fitness and now restaurant ownership. What motivated you to reinvent yourself at each stage of your journey?A: I love pushing myself mentally and physically, and I adapt to change very well. Being a single mom, I%u2019ve had to adjust to different circumstances, like going through a divorce and becoming the sole provider for my household, dealing with layoffs during COVID, and taking over a business on my own. Q: How did your early experiences with various jobs shape your outlook on independence and the value of hard work?A: I started my first job around the age of 5. I lived near a gas station, and they paid me $5 an hour to clean the outside of the building. I%u2019d wash windows, clean the gas pumps, and sweep up trash. My savings grew, so my dad helped me open a checking account. I had my own checkbook and learned to balance it, which taught me the value of a dollar and how to manage money. Q: What drew you to pursue a career in healthcare, and what did you learn about yourself during your time as an ER tech and Unit Clerk?A: I love helping people. I%u2019m extremely empathetic and want others to %u201cfeel good.%u201d I chose the medical field because I believed there would always be job security. The biggest lesson I learned was to never take a day for granted.Q: When you were diagnosed with lupus, how did it impact your life, and what inspired you to turn to fitness as a source of empowerment?A: I was 25 years old, recently divorced, with two children under 5. My kidneys weren%u2019t functioning properly, and I was retaining 35 pounds of water. I was put on steroids and diuretics, but I knew their negative side effects from my work. That%u2019s when I decided to make a change. I had been an avid runner but hired a personal trainer and nutritionist to help me get started. I educated myself on nutrition and healing, and by eliminating certain foods, I significantly reduced inflammation and lupus symptoms.Q: Becoming a certified personal trainer and gym owner is no small feat. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when building your fitness career?A: When I started, the fitness scene was still new, and Facebook was the main social media platform. I gained momentum by appealing to women, especially moms. I secured sponsorships with companies like ProSupps, Nuts N More, and Lenny & Larry%u2019s. My biggest challenge was stepping back to focus on my younger boys, who were both diagnosed on the autism spectrum and had busy therapy schedules. It was what needed to be done, and I%u2019d do it a thousand times over.Q: As a fitness model and personal trainer, you%u2019ve inspired many people to embrace a healthier lifestyle. What advice would you give to someone just starting their fitness journey?A: Set realistic goals. Many people try to work out 7 days a week on a strict diet, but it%u2019s often unsustainable. Be honest with yourself and your trainer. If working out 3 days a week is realistic, start with that. If a strict diet isn%u2019t realistic, try tracking macros instead. Health and fitness should be a lifestyle. Setting yourself up for success is key.Exclusive InterviewMOSTMAGAZINEMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 62 69