My Story
By my sophomore year in college, I had my entire life planned out. I was going to grad school for public health, I would continue researching women's health, specifically, the societal impact on women's body image and food choices. I would have a successful career, climbing the ladder, eventually leading the organization.
Until one day, shortly after graduation, I met someone who completely changed the trajectory of my career. That someone was an entrepreneur, president of a small startup company in software, software for the endurance industry. At the time I had no idea what I was getting into, It was like God knew, endurance, through and through, would be a monumental part of my story.
Within days I was working side by side with race directors, some of the largest in the United States, for races I participated in. I was starstruck, I felt like I was living a dream, there was no way this was real life. A few weeks later, I found a crack and it shattered me.
I was two weeks out from a marathon I had been training hard for. I had been working with the race director for a few weeks, I was 100% involved now, emotionally, mentally, physically. On an 18 mile training run, my last long run before race weekend, I broke, physically, a fractured pelvis; From doing what I loved the most, running.
No accident, no fall, just sidewalk running. I vividly remember the moment, like it was yesterday. The pain I felt deep in my soul for the following weeks scarred me more than anything.
When I heard the words, “ Running isn't the cards, a 5K, 3.1 miles, is the longest distance you should ever run. Have you considered weightlifting?” it felt like my life shattered before me. The heaviest weight I'd held in my hand was a 5 lb dumbbell when I used to do my mom's 80's strong leg tapes with her in our playroom. Heck no, I haven't considered weight lifting. Running or bust.
I came to a hard realization in the weeks to follow, my entire life revolved around running, I used it to cope, I used it to exercise, I used it to hide, I idolized it beyond anything else. It was in moments of reflection like this, I was growing, yet all I could feel was pain. I was broken, mentally, physically, emotionally, not only could I not run, I had to face truth, and that is raw. I never developed myself as a person outside of running, and I had no idea how to. Broken.
Fast forward a few months later, hours of testing, and several specialist, the verdict was in, I was diagnosed with osteopenia a myriad of hormonal imbalances, which eventually led to a diagnosis of premature ovarian failure, at 23. I was a 23 year old going on 80 and I couldn't wrap my head around it. What I did know, I was not going to accept the future that was painted for me, there had to be another solution other than prescription drugs and low impact exercise.
Redefining Healthy
My health journey blossomed from this point on. I dug deep into my work, research, and all things wellness. Fitness was my first opportunity. I went from swimming, riding, to eventually running again. Welcome to triathlons. I learned how to balance the weight bearing exercises with swimming and yoga. Next opportunity, nutrition. Each failure was a new experience, one step closer to understanding my body while adding to my long list of what not to do in a race, training, and recovery.
And then I found CrossFit and weightlifting, a pivotal point in my fitness and nutrition career. Through mentors, experience, and all the educational content I could get my hands on, I started developing a unique awareness to the women’s body, we do not operate like men, we shouldn’t eat like men, and we definitely can’t train like them.
After years of building a solid foundation, I had finally regained confidence in myself and my body. I walked out of my bone density scan four years after a diagnosis with normal bone mass for my age and some solid muscle to prove it.
Strength In Light is a concept derived from two core principles which lay the foundation for success with our nutrition programs.
~ The meaning behind the brand ~
Strength
Synonyms: courage, toughness, vigor, health, energy, moxie.
You will grow physically and mentally stronger as you work to develop and structure your life to provide the energy and confidence you need to achieve your goals.
Light
Synonyms: Luminous, rich, clear, radiant, glowing, ablaze.
Through small, yet effective, changes you will bring light to your circumstances, while finding the light from within to create a momentum that will drastically impact your behavior & lifestyle.
The result when you find Strength In Light? More energy, less stress, better sleep, increase vigor, moxie, fat loss, body awareness; You will find joy in everyday activities, and yes! you can have your favorite treats too!
You have the light within you, it's been there all along. It's time let it shine! Find the program that's right for you.
