My fitness journey has been anything but a straight line. It's been a winding road full of ups and downs—fluctuations in weight, shifts in mental health, and stretches of both consistency and inconsistency. I've struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I've always been on the heavier side, but that never stopped me from being a competitive athlete. In fact, being heavier just meant I had to push harder to prove that I belonged on the field, the rink, or in the gym—and I did.
Today, I’m a mom to two amazing boys who are both involved in multiple sports. Life is full, to say the least, and carving out time for myself amidst the beautiful chaos isn’t always easy. But I’ve learned that taking things one day at a time, making mindful choices, and showing myself grace has kept me moving forward, even when life gets hectic.
My love for fitness found its roots on the ice. I grew up playing competitive hockey, which I continued through college. It was during those college years that I discovered something new—lifting. That’s where I truly fell in love with strength training. Since 2016, I’ve been lifting weights consistently, and my journey in the gym has been shaped in large part by my cousin and best friend, Bailey. She’s the definition of a “Gym Bro”—strong, driven, and relentlessly encouraging. She showed me the ropes, pushed me to lift heavier, and most importantly, helped me believe in myself.
Right now, I’m rehabbing a torn calf from a softball injury last year. It’s been a process, but I’m slowly working my way back into a rhythm. Progress may be slower than I’d like, but it’s still progress. At the end of the day, I wear many hats—Mom, Wife, Nurse, and part-time gym enthusiast. Lifting is my outlet, my therapy, and my joy. While I train mainly for fun, I’ve set a small but mighty goal for myself: to step on stage and compete for the first time in the not-so-distant future.
Today, my fitness journey is all about balance. I still train with weights, but I’ve come to love and appreciate movement in all its forms—whether it's hiking, paddleboarding, or simply spending time outside with my family. Fitness is more than just a gym routine—it’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and a way to reconnect with who I am beyond the roles I play for others.
If I could offer one piece of advice to the next generation of weightlifters, it would be this: Believe in your abilities, no matter your body type. Fitness is not one-size-fits-all, and movement comes in so many different forms. Trust the process. Learn from your setbacks. And most of all, have fun while doing it.
Happy lifting,
Danielle
