Born in Nottingham, England in 1974, my parents and I moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1978. Winnipeg is a very friendly Canadian city but we soon found out that the mosquitoes had a voracious appetite for British blood. Within 2 weeks, the folks quickly made the Executive decision to keep heading West to beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Later that year my brother was born and the four of us have remained in the Vancouver area ever since.

I am currently self-employed and operate a Personal Training company in the heart of downtown Vancouver called ‘Bound For Fitness. In 1998 I was diagnosed with Bio-Chemical Depression. This common affliction results from insufficient serotonin production in the body. The condition manifests itself as mild to dramatic mood swings and unexplained sadness. Luckily, I was encouraged to see my family physician before reaching the proverbial "rock bottom". Our family doctor has known me since I was eight years old. He was patient, persistent and very understanding. He recommended regular exercise and an overhaul of my nutritional habits. Aware that I was not going to achieve this on my own, he suggested a personal fitness trainer. That particular moment set in motion dramatic, positive changes in my life that I am grateful for every day. I can honestly say fitness does become an obsession and before long I was on a six-month stretch of 1 hour sessions, 3-4 times a week. Within a two year period I had accumulated every fitness subscription, as many fitness books as I could find, and of course, "Arnold's Encyclopedia to Body Building".

WHAT NEXT?? …….Study!!

The next step was to resign from my sales position and study to become a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer. This gave me the opportunity to help others who were in the same situation I was in just 2 short years earlier. I am happy to share my story. Hopefully it will encourage others to lead a healthy lifestyle and give some hope to those that may be suffering from undiagnosed Bio Chemical Depression.

The changes in my life brought with them a new circle of friends, most with the same health and fitness interests. I also met several Fitness & Figure competitors. I remember being in awe of their incredible physiques. Competing soon became my focus. I trained relentlessly and presented my best physique at a WNSO (World Natural Bodybuilding Organization) Fitness, Figure and Bodybuilding Championships. My hard work paid off and I placed a very proud third! I haven’t looked back since…..

My family has been very supportive as well as my dear love Robert Charbonneau. I do hope to marry and have children one day but until then keep an eye out for me in the Figure-Tall Division!