When I met my husband he introduced me to cycling, and we were on our bikes as much as possible....With 5 small children at home it was a challenge to have the time, but we took advantage of every opportunity we had.  There was joy in the challenge of going further, going faster, and conquering a new hill.  

One summer day in 2002 we went out for one of our regular rides, but I just wasn't feeling right. I couldn't even make it up a tiny rolling hill.  Several weeks later I saw the doctor for some increasing pain in my collarbone and an x-ray revealed something was wrong.  More tests and an open-lung biopsy revealed a rare fungal infection that was destroying my lung.  

For 7 years I battled health issues, was in-and-out of the hospital and on strong anti-fungal drugs which left me unhealthy & extremely overweight.  In July of 2009 I had to have the upper lobe of my left lung removed, because the medicines weren't working anymore and the infection was spreading.  I was only 39 years old and having major surgery...I was scared!  I feared that my quality of life would be dismal, that I might not ride like I did (the doctors confirmed that fear with statements like, "well, you probably won't be able to ride long distances like you were.") BUT I didn't allow myself to stay in that mindset!  I determined that I was going to work hard to get healthy and active again. There was too much life yet to live!  In fact, at my post-op visit my only question to my surgeon was, "When can I ride again?"  She looked at me with a surprised look, chuckled, and said, "Let your stitches & staples heal first."

I was determined to not stay in a limited physical condition and began to exercise and eat healthy. Since then, I’ve lost over 40lbs and 25% body fat.  My transformation was so radical that I was encouraged to become a personal trainer at the gym I worked out at. By the grace of God and a lot of work I'm LIVING life and enjoying new challenges!  In October of 2012, I competed in a Bodybuilding Figure Competition, in 2013 I completed the Cincinnati Flying Pig half-marathon, and I've participated in the Perfect North Slopes Mud-Stash 4 times.  One of my goals before I got sick was to ride 100 miles in one day. I have my father-in-law to thank for this one because he is in his 70's and rides his bike almost daily and rides in 3 major fundraising events each summer that are over 100 miles long each. In September of 2014 I met that goal when my husband and I completed the Hope Ride, a 100-mile bike ride for charity! I've become a personal trainer and a personal defense readiness fundamentals coach. I have accomplished more than I dreamed of doing even before I got sick, and I know that I still have a lot of living left to do! So do you!

I truly understand the struggle to overcome weight and health problems to achieve a healthy lifestyle and overcome limitations, and I would love to help you do the same.  

Learn more about your coach and Triune Total Body Defense here.

We would like to thank Blauer Tactical Systems^™  for use of images and videos throughout the site.