Growing up, I was never gifted athletically.I couldn’t catch a ball to save my life, and I was always the last person picked for team sports.It may not seem like a big deal, but it really took a toll on me as I was ridiculed and deemed inferior to my peers. Luckily, I grew up as a competitive swimmer where I learned the importance of hard work and dedication. During my final years of high school, I became extremely dedicated and would go to practice 8 times a week year round.I loved seeing myself improve every day as I put in the hard work.I may not have been the fastest swimmer on the team, but I definitely had one of the biggest hearts.But as high school was coming to an end and college was in the near future, reality struck.As much dedication and commitment as I had in the sport of swimming, I just was not fast enough to swim at a Division 1 school.
I started college at Missouri State University in the Fall of 2011, and a part of me felt empty as I was no longer involved in competitive swimming.I missed the feeling of putting my whole heart into something.I started going to the rec center at my school, but like most girls I had no idea what I was doing and thought an hour on the elliptical every day would get me“toned”.It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I became familiar with the weight room and learned the importance of health and nutrition.I started seeing results both in and outside the gym and I loved it. But something was still missing.
I had seen Tayler Parry at Golds Gym multiple times and knew that she trained girls to compete. I finally worked up courage to ask her about competing, and I knew from the beginning that this experience was going to be something I would never forget. I got a lot of raised eyebrows and laughs when I told people I was going to compete since I’ve always been the shy, awkward and insecure type. I was told,“Don’t expect to place” and “That doesn’t really seem like you”. Despite the negative comments I received in the beginning, I only used those comments as motivation to succeed. I told myself that I would give 110% to this process and that’s exactly what I did. I didn’t cheat once on my diet or skip any of the dreaded cardio sessions. I pushed myself every day to be the best possible version of myself. I stepped on stage feeling proud of my accomplishments and CONFIDENT for the first time in my life. Taking home 3rd and 4th place for my first show was just icing on the cake. Joining Team Taylermade was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have gained strength and confidence throughout this process and I no longer feel like something is “missing” in my life. I have learned to never let people doubt me or make me feel inferior, because anything is possible when you believe in yourself.