A LITTLE ABOUT ME...

"Facing fears is one of the most important steps to grow as a person. I believe change is necessary to experience life to one's fullest potential."

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA until the age of ten. I was extremely active and definitely sporty, a slight tomboy but has my girly side too. I grew up with 2 older brothers, a sister, and a younger brother. Football was always on TV, and we were always playing sports outside. That's where my love for athletics started. 

As a child I was highly involved in dance. I competed in ballet, tap, jazz, and point. I'm a performer at heart and I'm very competitive with myself. I'm always thinking, analyzing, learning, and improving. I love people and am extremely thankful for all of the wonderful people in my life. I wouldn't take anything back, because everything I've learned in my life has made me into the woman I am today.

In 1999, I enlisted in the US Marines. I served 4 years as an aviation ordnance(wo)man. I also learned a lot about myself, dedication, motivation, and determination. More than anything, self-discipline. During that time, I met many inspiring and motivating people. It was an experience I will never forget. Going through boot camp, the struggles, the sacrifices...let me just tell you, is not something for the weak minded. If you make it through that, I promise, you can make it through any defeat. I really think it challenged me to take a look at my weaknesses and focus on becoming a woman. A true woman of strength both mentally and physically. Once a Marine, always a Marine.  

COMPETITION...  

While in the Marines a few veteran male bodybuilders had told me they thought I had potential in competing. I was nervous, but I decided to accept the challenge. So at 20 years old, I stepped on stage in South Carolina on Parris Island. In my first show I took 3rd in middleweight bodybuilding in 2000. I then pursued a National Qualifier, and placed for Nationals. While prepping for that show I knew I was hooked. In 2001, I pursued fitness. Then fitness had branched off into figure where I decided to try something without a routine. I competed Nationally in figure for 10 years. A long journey it was. Competition to me was more than a trophy. It taught me how far I can push when I set a goal and achieve it.  

PERSONAL TRAINING... I wanted to teach people what I learned through learning my experience. I started training people on the military base.  I spent hours reading books, learning about all areas of fitness. I wanted to have expertise in different fields, from rehab to sports specific conditioning. I always say, if you can put your mind to it, you  can do it. When I got out of the Marine Corps in 2003, I started training clients in the gym. 

When I was 25, I referred to an incredibly intelligent and gifted coach who was also an NPC judge. He really opened my eyes and helped mentor me to become the best trainer/coach I could be. With his help, I was not only competing at the highest level, but I was also successfully coaching competitors for shows. A year later I was referred to a top level coach who trained nearly every Mr. Olympia. I'm beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to have worked with legendary coaches and to have been mentored under their expertise. Without these people, I wouldn't have the precise knowledge that I have obtained from countless hours learning how to coach and definitely wouldn't have gotten to where I am today.  

Competing for over 17 years and finally returning to the stage as a physique competitor, missing my pro card by one place at the 2017 North Americans was nothing less than amazing!!! I am so blessed to be a part of the IFBB. It's unbelievable!

"Knowledge is power. I dedicated most of my adult life to learning the anatomy and physiology of the human being. I also gravitated in college to psychology and human behavior. The combination of my understanding of both the mental and physical being helps me to better coach and assess the client I am working with. I am a big believer in balance in life, a balanced diet, and balance in training. The key is to keep the body healthy and the metabolism constantly stimulated. Let's preserve the muscle and burn the fat."   

I am also fortunate that I invested in my artsy side by getting involved in permanent makeup tattooing aside from the fitness world. It has been a true blessing to improve people's confidence in multiple ways. 

BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS AND NEVER GIVE UP, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE FIGHT. -Kelly Lynn