From Rock Bottom to Resilience: My Transformation Journey

January is a time for reflection and fresh starts, and for me, it’s a reminder of just how far I’ve come. My story is one of hitting rock bottom and clawing my way back, rebuilding my life piece by piece. It’s not just about fitness—it’s about survival, resilience, and the power of prioritizing yourself when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.

In my early 20s, I wasn’t just lost—I was self-destructing. I’ll never forget Canada Day 2006, the day I did my first line of cocaine. I was rebellious, caught up in peer pressure, and searching for something I couldn’t define. That first high was everything I didn’t know I was looking for, and from that moment on, I was hooked.

For the next year, cocaine consumed my life. I’d stay awake for days, too wired to eat or rest. My body was covered in bruises from malnourishment, and my heart raced in ways that scared me. I was a shell of myself, but I couldn’t stop chasing the high. When I finally hit rock bottom, I had no money, no friends, and a mountain of debt. I crawled back to my parents’ house and detoxed on their couch, alone with my shame and withdrawal.

After that, I kicked the hard drugs mostly, but the journey didn’t end there. Alcohol crept in, and over the next decade, I became a functioning alcoholic. Outwardly, I looked like I had it together—I had a marriage, a career, and a sense of stability—but inside, I was falling apart. Alcohol consumed me daily, and I was obsessed. It was my crutch, my escape, my way of coping with the emptiness I couldn’t face.

In 2017, I finally hit my breaking point. I had lost my job and was exhausted, broken, and desperate for change. I fell into a deep depression, but with the help of a 12-step program, I began my journey to sobriety. However, sobriety alone wasn’t enough—I needed something more to fill the void. That’s when I discovered the gym and embraced a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on healing every part of myself—inside and out.  

Strength training became my saving grace. At first, it was a way to channel my pain and frustration, but it quickly became so much more. The gym gave me clarity, purpose, and something I could control when everything else felt chaotic. I realized I had found my true purpose—helping others transform their health and fitness in a holistic way. Inspired by the profound impact it had on my life—not just improving it but saving it— I launched my own business to help people improve their health, fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being.

But life didn’t stop testing me. In 2021, I gave birth to my beautiful daughter, and like many women, I navigated the sacrifices and challenges of motherhood. When my daughter was barely a year old, I found myself a single parent, raising her full-time while running a business and managing a household on my own.

Those early days were overwhelming. There were moments I didn’t think I could do it—moments when the weight of single parenthood felt crushing. But by then, I had built a foundation of strength, discipline, and resilience through fitness. Prioritizing my health became my secret weapon. It gave me the energy and clarity to show up for my daughter, my clients, and myself.

Today, I’m 8 years sober. My 3-and-a-half-year-old tests me daily, my business is thriving, and I still run my house solo. Some days are absolute chaos, but I’ve learned that putting my health first isn’t selfish—it’s essential. Taking care of myself allows me to take care of everything else.

My transformation is about so much more than fitness. It’s about reclaiming my life, finding my strength, and proving to myself that I am capable of overcoming anything. Strength training taught me discipline and resilience, and it gave me the power to rewrite my story.

If you’re struggling, know this: it’s never too late to turn things around. Whether you’re at rock bottom or just looking for a change, you have the strength to make it happen. Transformation is possible, and the best part? The only way is up.

Your Path to Progress

January is a fresh start - a time to embrace small, meaningful changes that lead to lasting progress. True transformation happens through daily habits, not drastic, unattainable goals. Whether it’s meal prepping, taking a 10-minute walk on your lunch break, journaling to reflect on your day, adding an extra glass of water or protein to your routine, stretching for 5 minutes in the morning, or swapping one processed snack for a healthier option, every small step is part of your journey. Let’s focus on progress over perfection and build sustainable habits together this year! Slow and steady, wins your race.

Your path to progress is uniquely yours - celebrate the wins, big or small, and recognize the effort it takes to show up every day. We invite you to share your #PathToProgress with us for a chance to be featured in our January campaign. Submit your story, photos, or videos to info@leanfit.com, and each Friday in January 2025, one submission will be randomly selected to win a $100 LEANFIT e-gift card.