My fitness journey definitely hasn’t been linear. I was diagnosed with Scoliosis at 6 months. I was in a body brace full time until I had half of my hip bone fused to my spine to stop the worsening of a 45 degree angle in my spine prior to my first major growth spurt. It worked to “straighten” me out and I wore a body brace until I quit growing. My doc pushed me to be active, even learning to bowl in a body cast! He said movement was what would help reduce pain and being strong was my only option! I was a varsity golfer, basketball and volleyball player in high school and played competitive volleyball until about age 40.

Before I moved to MN in 2016 I was “crazy” fit and active. I ran 3 miles every other day with a dear friend, participated in group fitness classes and lifted at a small gym 5 times a week (trainer was a good friend, I even helped her edit her book about faith and fitness!) I also cycled as much as I could, played volleyball year round and softball in the summers, coached sports for my daughter and hiked as much as possible too.

The move was tough, I changed jobs and moved from a small town where I lived for 20+ years and knew everyone, to Rosemount. I relocated for a new job which meant a new school for my 3rd grade daughter. I jumped right in and began coaching basketball and volleyball in RAA, but my daughter didn’t share my love of sports, so that stopped.

I tried Anytime and SNAP fitness and the Y too. Didn’t stick. I would try to walk and work out at home. I hated it. I gained weight and tried every product and program out there. Nothing stuck.

But then, my daughter started playing tennis in 2023, so we played and played, A LOT; until I ruptured my calf in Sept of 2023. All I can say is I hope it never happens to anyone. Recovery was months of therapy, which turned out to be amazing and reignited my love of fitness.

I met Krista Kay, who had recovered from a foot injury and she kept encouraging me to go to the Warehouse with her. I kept declining, until finally I became her “get fit with a friend” partner in February of 2024. I can’t thank her enough for introducing me to this amazing community!

In May of 2024 my father had his 3rd stroke, I have watched him go from a tough farmer (I was his only farmhand growing up) to not being able to get out of a chair without help. He is in ongoing therapy and he always says “toughen up, buttercup” to anyone that will listen. So even as his health is declining, he motivates me to work on functional fitness for a strong body as I age.

Oh, and my mom fell out of her car, drove over herself and broke both of her legs in May of 2024 while trying to get to the hospital to see dad. It’s a long story but for a couple of weeks I was juggling both parents near death at a small hospital in Iowa. Short version is they are healthy and living together in a nice assisted living apartment and all is well. I’m responsible for all of their finances and I try to get down to visit them every few weeks.

My daughter is still playing tennis and we enjoy hiking and food prepping together. She knows we will “hang out”, get coffee or hit Target anytime (well, anytime AFTER my Warehouse time!) She’s a senior and heading off to college (we have had a ton of fun exploring) in the fall!

Oh and I changed companies (after 30+) years in July 2025 and dealt with the sudden loss of a dear friend, and I’m thankful for the Warehouse community’s support through all of it. I made it a priority to attend classes even if I was at 50% energy and walked out in tears.