SELF-MADE WOMAN

How much effort do we have to actually put in to reach success? Success isn't based on material things but defined as an accomplishment of an aim or purpose. 

Although I've been documenting my journey for awhile now, I still have so much to learn. Fitness opened up unimaginable opportunities for me, and am grateful that I can inspire others to do more of what others expected of them. I want to show that this lifestyle is such a precious one that not many people ever get to live because they think it's too hard. Let me cut to the chase: it is hard. It's going to be difficult. Guess what? It's going to be WORTH it. 

Now people ask if I'm a fitness model. In a way, I am. For some reason, being labeled as a fitness model gives me an unsettling feeling because I'm really a blogger. I've worked with different types of people & brands who want to turn their own efforts to success. There's a lot of pressure for me where I felt like I wasn't good enough to work with certain brands. 

I'm absolutely blessed to work with a company that allows me to be myself and that's Finish Line. 

Photography by Ron Holden @HoldenFocus

Before Finish Line, I became uncertain with my journey..asking if this is the right industry to be in. I had many thoughts in my head like: Am I fit enough? I hope braces won't affect my chances. Am I pretty enough? I knew I should have done more cardio. MUST DO MORE SQUATS!

I wanted to be what other people wanted me to be, and I briefly lost sight of my dream. 

“She pulled back her hair, set her sights on God and vowed to finish her race in victory...”

Photography by @Erikumphrey

I quickly snapped out of this world where it made me feel less than, and turned to my faith to restore what was internally damaged. Screw being commercialized, I've created something special on my own terms. I don't want to be a model, I want to be a role model. If I'm going to be in the front of the camera, there's going to be meaning behind it. This is my chance to express my passion for fitness & style.  I want to be something young girls can look up. By doing this, I had to love myself-flaws and all. We should aim for progress not perfection. 

I am headed towards success when putting effort to love myself mentally, physically & spiritually. I am a self-made woman.