For much of my adult life, I thought I was fit and ate well. I worked outdoors with horses, hiked, hunted, and stayed active—but everything changed after I became a mother. Suddenly, I stopped exercising and struggled to feel like myself.

I didn’t yet understand what I know now: that the body, brain, and gut are deeply interconnected, shaping each other’s health and overall well-being. How we eat directly affects how we feel physically and mentally. Supporting gut health through proper nutrition can improve mood, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity, while poor choices can have the opposite effect.

A turning point came when a CrossFit gym opened in my small town. I went on day one—and never looked back. The early days were tough. I had to force myself to go, I was scared of failing, and every workout felt intimidating. But each time I showed up, I met my fear, learned my limits, and discovered strength I didn’t know I had. Over time, what started as a challenge became empowerment—and I always left feeling stronger, both physically and mentally.

As my fitness improved, I discovered triathlons and endurance racing. I have completed a 70.3 Ironman and a full marathon, experiences that taught me how to fuel, train, and recover optimally while balancing life’s demands. These experiences shaped my understanding of what it truly takes to perform at a high level and transform your body sustainably.

After a few years of consistent training, my weight and body composition weren’t where I wanted them to be. That’s when I shifted my focus to nutrition. Learning to fuel my body for performance, build muscle, and optimize fat loss transformed not only my physique but also my awareness of how food affects energy, mood, and performance.

This journey inspired me to study the science behind it. I earned my Master of Science in Nutrition and Human Performance, Valedictorian, with a concentration in Nutritional Wellness from Logan University. I an NBC-HWC, and teach Nutrition at UNM. Now, I combine my personal experience and scientific expertise to help athletes and individuals improve body composition, optimize performance, and build sustainable habits that last—empowering them to reach their full potential, physically, mentally, and emotionally.