I got into bodybuilding about 10 years ago, and looking back, it’s been a journey of transformation in more ways than one. My start wasn’t easy. Like many of us, I had a rough upbringing. My parents fell into drugs when I was just 11 years old, and coming from a big family of eight siblings, most of them followed the same path. By the time I was 14, I was placed in foster care after nearly losing my life to someone my parents owed money to.
Growing up, I struggled a lot. I questioned my worth constantly—wondering why I wasn’t enough, why they chose drugs over us. I dealt with severe social anxiety from missing so much school, from second grade all the way through high school. Without the chance to make friends or build confidence, I was lost. But even when I felt confused and angry after getting out of foster care, I knew one thing—I couldn’t give up. Somewhere out there was a better life, and I just had to find it.
That’s when the advocate program, similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters, came into my life. I met Kevin, who quickly became my best friend, mentor, and father figure. He was the first to show me that giving up or taking the easy way out wasn’t an option. He believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, reminding me that I had so much to offer the world. At 15, he signed both of us up for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and boxing. I fell in love with it instantly—finally, something I could channel my energy into.
But life threw me a curveball. About a year into training, I developed a severe case of tennis elbow that left me bruised and in constant pain. Doctors told me I could never do anything physical in sports again unless I got surgery. That news crushed me, and I spiraled into depression for about a year. I gained weight, lost my motivation, and felt more lost than ever.
But one day, I woke up with a thought I couldn’t ignore: I’m not ready to quit. That spark inside me hadn’t gone out yet. I began watching rehab videos on YouTube, determined to heal my elbow and get back to training.
In my first week back at the gym, I met a man named Luis. He was paralyzed from the waist down, but he was there every single day, working out and pushing himself, then taking a 45-minute bus ride home. I couldn’t help but ask him why he was so relentless in the gym. His answer changed my life. He said, “You don’t always get to choose your cards in life, but it’s your job to wake up every day and make the most of the hand you’ve been dealt, no matter what it takes.”
That conversation opened my eyes. My views on the world shifted, and I realized I had a lot of work to do—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I started showing up at the gym every day, not knowing much, just asking people for advice, for spots on my lifts. And the more I showed up, the more I felt alive. The gym became my sanctuary, a place where I could work on myself, surrounded by people who were doing the same. The love, support, and community I found there fueled me to never give up.
Fast forward 10 years, and I’m now 27. I’ve competed in men’s physique bodybuilding several times, and fitness has completely transformed my life. I’ve become someone I’m proud of, and I’m excited for what’s to come. Through lifestyle coaching and sharing my experiences, I’ve been able to impact others, helping them realize that change is possible no matter where you start.
People often ask me what I love most about this sport, and the answer is simple. We all struggle with self-love or confidence at some point, and fitness—whether it’s bodybuilding, CrossFit, mixed martial arts—gives you a space to focus on yourself, even if just for an hour or two. It’s a time to truly love and invest in yourself.
My next goal is to get back on prep in the coming months and hopefully place again at a national qualifying show. My dream is to earn my Pro Card by my 29th birthday and one day open my own coaching and wellness center. To anyone out there feeling stuck or afraid to take that next step—don’t let fear or excuses hold you back. You’ve got this, I promise.
