I went to Indiana University-Bloomington for my Bachelors. My degree is in International Studies, sometimes I wish I paired it with something else or was more focused on accomplishing a dual degree with minors, but I think I made the most of it by taking courses I knew would enrich my education. I didn’t fall into the trap of taking (excuse the term) B.S. electives, I knew how much money I was spending and I didn’t want to waste $500 on a yoga class if I could help it!

My college experience was difficult for me, I’m not going to pretend that it was the best time of my life because it wasn’t. It was difficult for me to take a break, I became obsessed with school and the fear of failure. I thought for sure that if I went out for a night I would drastically effect my grade. It wasn’t until my junior year that I began to enjoy my professors (not associate Instuctors) and the subject matter; prerequisite classes were a joke to me. I think the instructors do a greater job of teaching what’s not important rather than what is. Once I got past my first two years at university I began to find comfort in my education and what I was doing for myself. In actuality I was bettering myself, it took me a long time to realize that.

My perfectionist spirit and do or die mentality caused me to things I wish I hadn’t. My sophomore year of college was one of the most difficult for me. I lost over 25 pounds and I became incredibly underweight, I came home for Christmas in December 2005 looking sickly and unhealthy. I logged over 3 hours working out most days, and it was a very unhealthy lifestyle. Not only did I hurt my body, but I also hurt my mother. I remember walking in from a long drive home to find my immediate family with my grandparents welcoming me at the door, my mom gasped when I walked in the door. Some of them looked at me like it was my fault for the way I had been, I accept full responsibility for the way I became but I knew it was something I could control. With school’s demands, the demands I placed on myself, and the stress I had because of student loans and my fear for never being able to pay them off I became exercise-bulimic. I worked off absolutely everything I ate, and I went to bed hungry most nights. It was hard, and looking back it was sooo unnecessary. That point in my life taught me a lot, but I don’t think anyone in my life can or ever will understand what I put myself through during that time.

When I finally scraped myself off the ground, I knew it was time for change. I had to find out if my education from IU was what I really wanted, or if there was something else I wanted from a different educational institution. I enlisted into the Indiana National Guard. It was the greatest thing I’ve ever done, since then I’ve come to realize what I wanted to do. It’s pointed me in the direction I want to be in, and I’ve met so many people along the way. Were it not for my enlistment, I never would have looked outside the box. I never would have understood the difference between “Real” Mainstreet and the Mainstreet people think they know of. All too often we’re subjected to what we know. Well, stepping outside of my comfort zone away from security helped me to realize how differently people live. Getting to know people I’ve trained with has helped me to have compassion for those who have less or different lifestyles than my own- thank you battle buddies. With my education and my personal experiences I feel like I’ve come appreciate diversity more than if I had stuck around the region I grew up in, thank goodness for direction…right?

I was so tired of doing what was expected of me- get an education and a job, all else will fall into your lap. That wasnt’ good enough for me, I knew that more meant something else. Enlisting was always on my mind even before I graduated high school. After my sister was deployed it was out of the question for my parents. After much contemplation of my life’s direction I decided to do it, and it worked out in my favor. I do have quite a bit of people to thank for the things I have accomplished. I thank my mom, dad, and sisters constantly. I never want them to think I don’t appreciate them, and I never want anyone to think I don’t value what they have to say. I’m opinionated but I do like to listen. I promise! 

My fitness kick has always been important to me, I think it’s a constant thing and I hope it never goes away. I’ve been running since I was 16 or so. I began running more consistently in college when I began registering for races, after I began those running became so much more fun. Training was always on my mind, if I wasn’t training I was still running. Through time I’ve realized that quality is more important than quantity. Less time in the gym has provided me greater appreciation for life outside of the gym, I’ve spent too much time breaking a sweat in the walls of a gym. It’s kinda sad to think how much time I’ve lost because of it. Running is what works for me, and I hope my body allows me to continue the love of my life. Were it not for a distance run my self confidence would be much lower. My legs provide me strength, and I feel great about that!

My sisters and I all have our fitness passions. My older sister, Jennifer, is also a runner. We’ve run races together, train together, and complain about our running pains together. We both have a love-hate relationship with running, I think every runner does. It’s no joke, running hurts! It’s so worth it, though! My younger sister, Kristin, used to be a runner. She’s into weight lifting, body sculpting, and she hopes to compete in the future. I think my sisters are amazing, they surprise me on a rolling basis both good and bad. They are my powerhouse as is the rest of my family. I’m not sure that they know it, but I’m secretly cheering for them on the sidelines.

What has your life journey been like? Did you always know what you wanted to do? Drop me a line!