From Dream to Stage: My Honest Bodybuilding Story

• From Dream to Stage: My Bodybuilding Journey

When I first stepped into bodybuilding, it wasn’t part of some lifelong plan. Back in 2019, I was just a trainer who got told I had a “good physique.” A gym member suggested we all compete together, and with that sense of support, I said yes.

The funny part? Everyone else backed out. It was just me.

I tried three times before I finally made it to the stage. The first time, I set a show date but came down with the flu and couldn’t go through with it. The second time, my entire left arm went numb for a month. I had no choice but to shift my focus to physical therapy and step away from prep. The third time, I finally hired a coach. At first, I thought this would be the difference-maker. But instead of helping me progress, he repeated the same macros, had me pricking my finger daily for blood sugar checks, and even told me I could compete when I was still well above 16% body fat. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t ready, and I felt completely unseen.

Maybe you’ve been there too—trusting someone with your goals only to feel ignored, or putting in work but not getting the guidance you actually need.

During that third attempt to compete, my aunt was dying. I flew back to California to say goodbye, and in the middle of grief and family goodbyes, my dad found me a little local gym. That’s where I met Stacy—a coach who finally saw me. She focused on whole foods, consistent posing, and real discipline. I was waking up at 4 AM for cardio, lifting right after, and checking in with her posing coach multiple times a week. For the first time, I felt supported in a way that actually moved me forward.

That first show, I placed second. I’ll never forget the shock of standing on stage and realizing I had actually done it—after all of setbacks, injury, doubt, and loss.

Fast forward a few years: I competed again, this time while balancing a husband, four stepdaughters, 10 cats, plus foster kittens, and all the chaos that comes with a busy life. I wasn’t perfect. I had 2 foster kittens pass away from panleukopenia. I had days where I wanted to quit. I wondered if I was too old. But I didn’t stop. I kept going. And I placed first in my division!

What bodybuilding has taught me applies to any goal: you don’t need perfect circumstances or perfect numbers on paper. You need persistence, the right kind of support, and a belief that your dream is still worth fighting for.

The dream is still alive. From dream to stage—and one day, to pro.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “I don’t know if I can stay consistent with my nutrition… Life always seems to get in the way… I just need someone who actually pays attention to me,” that’s exactly what I help my clients with. I take the guesswork out, walk with you through the messy parts of life, and make sure you feel supported, not overlooked.

Send me a message today and let’s talk about your goals. Whatever your goal, you don’t have to figure this out alone.