FRANCISCA DEARMAN 
"My fitness journey started in October 2020. I was going through with some rough times. I was just diagnosed with PTSD AND severe depression. The way I was coping with the issues, alcohol. I gained a lot of weight and recognized I did not just want this for me, or our children. So I made a big hairy audacious goal of doing a bikini competition. I of course in Fran fashion made this goal public on Facebook to all of my friends and family. I needed the accountability and I needed it now. I realized not everyone wanted to hear about my journey, so I started an ig page for just that. Since October, my life has done a complete 180. I have found that I was masking my PTSD with alcohol verses facing them. Some days are harder than others, but I have surrounded myself with a positive support system. My eyes have been opened to realize that I, my health and my wellbeing are priority and not last thought. I wake up every morning thankful to be alive and grateful to help others who have been in my position. Even if it’s just being there, so they know they are not walking into battle alone. Life throws a lot of curve balls and if I have learned anything about this process, it’s not what happens to you that defines you, it’s what happens after. Do we stay down or do we get back up and fight? I fought."
