The stress of a domestically violent relationship had taken its toll on me.  The bruises and tears of months of arguing and fights had me beat physically and barely surviving emotionally.  I felt helpless.  I was convinced that I was ugly, worthless, and no one would want to love me.  After threatening to kill me by almost beating me senseless with a baseball bat, I finally left my fiance.  I had no money to start over and no one to turn to for help.  All I cared about was that he wouldn't find me.

A doctor I worked with introduced me to the Challenge.  What did I have to lose?  I lost everything already.  I didn't have a lot of money...I didn't even have a little bit of money, but I did my best to start eating right, and taking supplements.  Little did I realize I was embarking on a journey of transformation and healing.
 
While reading Body for Life, I found myself dreaming big dreams.  I felt like Bill was talking directly to me.  I learned so much about proper nutrition and exercise.  By setting goals and taking the necessary steps to achieve my goals I learned to believe in myself.  I was making a huge investment in myself and my future.

Two weeks into the program my ex hadn't left me alone.  I moved again but he found me a couple weeks later.  He threatened my life when I wouldn't go back to him.  I was furious.  There was no way I was going to let anyone get in the way of my goals and my dreams.  I filed a domestic violence injunction against him.  It was at that moment that I took my power back.  I felt an inner fire burning within me, screaming to break free.  That positive energy couldn't flow through a weak, worn out body.  But after four weeks and losing a little fat and gaining a little muscle, the juices were starting to flow and I could feel it!

The tears subsided and my transformation began to appear before my eyes.  I woke up one morning and caught myself smiling while I was flexing my triceps.  I never had real tricep muscles before....but more importantly I was actually smiling.  Enjoying the miracle of being alive. No longer being afraid and looking over my shoulder.  My life was a gift and it was up to me to shape it and take care of it.

The next eight weeks brought an explosion of energy and vibrance to my life.  I stopped fighting against myself and accepted and loved who I was.  God gave me this body for a purpose and I was working with it to create a work of art, grace and style all my own.

I even entered a bench press competition at my college.  I noticed there was a women's catagory so I went for it.  When I checked in on competition day I found out I was the only woman who entered!  Twelve weeks ago I would've backed out, instead I encouraged other girls there to enter.  None of them wanted to.  Most of them had been coming to the gym for months but they didn't think they could even bench the bar.  Then I realized most of them didn't do any weight training at all just the treadmill and stairmaster.  I could tell they didn't eat well either, their tell-tale boney arms were buried under baggy sweatshirts.

I made a very powerful statement that day, and it was so much bigger than my uncontested win.  When the girls asked me what it took to get me where I am, I told them my story and about the program that transformed my whole life.  It takes patience, persistance, and hard work.  There are no shortcuts.  Starving your body only slows you down more.  You've got to accept the body you've got and work with it, not against it, to achieve a body and a LIFE you will love.

I am a Champion because I surpassed my goals and believed in myself.  My goal was to lose 15 pounds of fat and gain 10 pounds of muscle.  In 12 weeks I have lost 16 pounds of fat and gained 11 pounds of muscle!  I have dropped from a size 12 to a size 8.  Learning how to set goals helped me complete this competition and achieve the feminine and muscular physique I have today.  I have learned how to keep my life organized by setting goals. Now there is nothing I can't acccomplish by taking the necessary steps to reach those goals and dreams.

As a Champion of the Body of Work Challenge, I think it's important to believe in the work of this program and to be a spokesperson for it everywhere I go.  I am committed to sharing this program and the difference it's made in my life with other people, especially those suffering from eating disorders and life crisis.  I have shown that I can inspire others to accept the challenge, set goals, and achieve their dreams of a lean, muscular body and a committed, strong mind.  By sharing my story and the message of this program, I continue to transform my life and share my fire, the miracle of being alive, with everyone I meet.

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