Bio

My passion for fitness started at an early age.  I was always active, and tried several different sports.  By the time I reached high school, I had narrowed them down to track and field, swimming and speedskating.  I enjoyed being competitive, and working hard to achieve my goals.  After high school, I attended community college, then joined the Marine Corps. It was there that I was re-introduced to weight training.  As military police, I always wanted to be stronger and faster, and thought that lifting weights would be a great way to accomplish that!  A few fellow Marines taught me the basics of weight training.  I was hungry for knowledge, and I ended up as a personal trainer at a local gym.  A fellow trainer invited me to a local NPC competition, where I first fell in love with “figure”.  I was in awe of the beautiful, muscular, lean physiques on that stage.

I made it a goal of mine to compete!  As I embarked on training and dieting for my first show, I had no idea that it would go past getting on stage once.  I started training in the basement of my apartment building, and doing cardio outside.  I poured through magazines, such as Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness Hers, and Natural Bodybuilding and Fitness, as well as websites like Bodybuilding.com, to find inspiration and motivation.  I even cut out pictures of all of my favorite competitors, and glued them onto pages of my food journal!

My first competition was full of mixed emotions for me.  I looked at my friend Amber, who came to help with my hair and makeup, and wanted to leave, after I saw the other competitors.  I didn’t think I belonged there.  She made me stay, and I ended up winning my height class of nine.  What a feeling, I LOVED being on stage. I was hooked!

I have been competing since 2006, and have grown and changed not only as a competitor, but as a person!  Competing really showed me what I was made of, and gave me a confidence that helped me in other areas in my life. I have worked with a few different trainers along the way, and each of them has helped me immensely.  I enjoy the discipline and drive that it takes to live a healthy lifestyle, and try to be a positive, healthy, fun, fit role model for other women.

I have been working with Shawn Myzska of www.explosiveedgeathletics.com, for almost 3 years now!  We have really made some good improvements to my physique over the years, and I am thankful to have such a motivating, inspiring, caring individual whom I trust, to bring me into my contests in peak condition.  Shawn has always had my best interest at heart, and I thoroughly have enjoyed working with him!  I am always looking for a new challenge!

I have a wonderful support network in my life. My parents have never been anything short of incredibly supportive, and encourage me to follow my dreams. I am lucky enough to be engaged to an AMAZING man, who makes me want to be a better person, and who has really pushed me to work on my weaknesses and supports me through it all!  I have a super fun group of friends, many of which compete as well, and some that I consider as close as family! I am incredibly thankful for all of my blessings!

Join me, as I continue to pursue my passion for fitness and make my mark in the fitness industry!

Tara