I have built up to knowing what I wanted to do with my life over a variety of ways and multiple years. I first started working with victims of domestic violence. Then I went on to work with individuals experiencing homelessness. Finally after experiencing some burnout I feel in love with fitness and became a personal trainer. Now I am back in the helping field working at a mental health clinic. I am viewing wellness through an interdisciplinary lens because humans are complex and unique individuals. When I look at the image of this belt I feel strength and pride for how far I have come by challenging the limits. When I read these framed compliments from my coworkers I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing people that see what I am trying to do. People that believe in me. When I see my Wellness Wave flier I remember I am the person that makes things happen, even when it is hard. If I see a need I want to create a solution. Even if it takes time.
My life has been a series of overcoming moments. As long as I can remember all I wanted to do was help. I wanted to show my dad, he didn’t have to be so angry that I could see he was hurting. I wanted to show my mom she didn’t have to hide behind a man that she could be courageous. I wanted to show everyone that alcohol was not the solution to whatever problems we were facing. Despite the cards that life dealt, I never stopped challenging “the way things are.” I simply didn’t by it. My father used to tell me that he didn’t have a choice, his father was an alcoholic, so he was destined to be the same. It was in his blood. Mentally, emotionally, and spiritually I was quite broken. My parents didn’t mean to hurt me, but they left me with gaping wounds that left me feeling worthless and unlovable. I was born with club feet. They told me my entire life; don’t run, don’t jump, don’t do anything strenuous, you may hurt your feet. It was message that I was broken physically too. So, I never tried. Eventually, I started drinking and smoking and basically fell into place with the rest of my family. I guess this was it after all. Until I had my daughter. That fight came back to me because I was determined to give her more. I was determined that she would grow up feeling unconditional love and without abuse. I quit drinking and smoking, and I began my search for a new way to live. I only knew what not to do, who I didn’t want to be. Today I am on the road to recovery literally. I have a family in Narcotics Anonymous that I never had in my biological family. I have support and acceptance that I never had before. I know I am loveable. I have come to discover and accept myself. I will be graduating with my bachelor’s degree with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. It broke my heart recently that my father or my brothers did not want to come. But I know I still have people cheering me on and I will still have faces in that crowd that are proud of me. I have challenged what they told me about my feet. I have been told by two different coaches that I should have been an athlete. I have four different certifications in physical fitness. I am a Sports nutritionist, Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Coach, and I am certified in Correctional Exercises. My college education focuses on psychology and sociology. What matters most to me is helping people see they don’t have to settle for the cards they were dealt. They don’t have to believe everything they are told. In the future I want to open my own gym. Not any regular gym but a gym that focuses on growth and wellness. A gym that you walk into and overcome your fears of life. I want to get my MSW and go on to become certified as an LCSW so I can run my own practice out of my gym. I will train individuals physically and mentally. I don’t care what someone is dealing with, I simply want them to know they are capable of so much more. That their potential is limitless and unknown. I hope to find others along the way that are passionate about growth and willing to step up to a challenge. I want to build a community of people like me to spread the word. A community of overcomers to change the world.