Discover inspiring fitness journeys from athletes around the world. Each story is a testament to dedication, transformation, and the power of the human spirit.
Let's rewind to my childhood, where my relationship with working out began. The motivation? Overcoming weight issues and forging a path to self-confidence. Little did I know, this humble start would evolve into a life-altering commitment to powerlifting and strongman competitions in my adult years.
I'm here to share a deeply personal journey that began in my 20s—a journey that saved my life and reshaped my entire perspective. Buckle up as I take you through the highs, lows, and the incredible transformation that unfolded through the power of fitness.
My fitness journey began roughly 33 years ago, right after welcoming my first child into the world. Like many women, I experimented with various exercises, hoping to discover a passion and drive for fitness. Subsequently, I became a mother to five more children, and life became a whirlwind, with fitness feeling like an arduous task on my endless "to-do" list. I eventually accepted the reality that, at that point in my life, my workouts had to be done at home. With almost always an infant, sleeping baby, or toddler around, I needed a solution to maintain my fitness, body health, and sanity.
I’ve spent over four decades dedicated to transforming lives through fitness, a journey that has been as rewarding as it is challenging. My passion for fitness stems from the teachings of my Master and Guru, Vince Gironda, whose philosophy laid the foundation for my approach to BodySculpting. Together, our combined experience spans over 85 years, a legacy that has shaped countless strategies and programs aimed at helping individuals achieve their ultimate fitness goals.p>
I’ve always believed that the greatest journeys in life begin with a spark of passion, and for me, that spark was martial arts. Over the past three decades, my journey has evolved into a multifaceted career as an athlete, actor, trainer, and coach. I’ve been fortunate to experience extraordinary achievements, but the heart of it all remains my dedication to martial arts and fitness.
My fitness journey has been a rollercoaster of sacrifice, setbacks, and self-discovery. It started back in my college football days when I committed to working out four to five times a week to maintain my competitive edge. It wasn’t just about staying in shape—it was about keeping up with my friends and pushing myself to always be better. But in 2023, things took a turn. Between the stress of pursuing my Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership (Ed.D) at SNU and a knee injury from playing recreational basketball, I found myself in a tough spot. Over eight months, I gained 30 pounds of fat, pushing my weight up to 255 pounds. I felt embarrassed every time I looked in the mirror and turned to unhealthy eating habits as a way to cope with the physical and mental toll.
During my last two years of high school and throughout college, I struggled with confidence and a sense of self-worth. I was a "life line" for my family, holding it together for everyone else while I was also struggling and felt alone. I turned to heavy drinking and partying to relieve the stress.
I’ve always been into fitness my whole life. My dad got me started in football at the age of 7 and even coached my team. From then on, I’ve stayed active, moving from football to boxing, running, MMA, rugby, and more — and I competed in most at a high level.
I started my weight loss journey in 2023 when I weighed 250lbs. After reaching a low of 125-132lbs I found bodybuilding, and it immediately changed the course of my journey. I started learning about macros, cardio, and weight training, and how they affect your body.
When I was younger, I was overweight and had very bad body image issues. I didn't know how to overcome these feelings until I decided to try running in high school. After that first run, something changed me. I felt so great and wanted to keep doing it over and over. That's when I realized that fitness was going to help me mentally and physically be the best version of myself.
I consider myself truly blessed to have grown up on a hunting farm in South Africa. Those early years were shaped by the outdoors—nature was my playground, and movement was instinctive. I was constantly on the go, swimming in
I began taking fitness seriously in 2020, during one of the lowest points in my life. At the time, I had just been diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and the only solution I was offered was a prescription for antidepressants. But something in me knew I needed to try a different path—one that didn’t involve masking what I was feeling, but instead focused on healing from the inside out.
My journey into fitness is as layered and intricate as the scars I carry—each one telling a story of strength earned, battles faced, and healing claimed. I started lifting weights at the age of 13, lit up by a photo of Arnold Schwarzenegger that ignited something deep in me. That image planted a seed I’ve nurtured ever since. By 16, I was heli-logging in the unforgiving backcountry of British Columbia, gaining strength the hard way—through labor, grit, and discipline that can’t be taught in a gym.
Fitness became my outlet when I was 18 years old, but my journey truly began long before I ever set foot in a gym. Growing up, I was painfully shy and quiet—traits that, unfortunately, made me an easy target. From elementary school through junior high, I endured relentless bullying, both physical and emotional. I remember faking sick just to avoid the torment, spending countless hours in the school counselor’s office just to escape the day. It was a dark and lonely chapter of my life.
I’ve always been an athlete. Movement, sweat, and pushing my physical limits have always brought me a sense of purpose and joy. But what began as a healthy love for performance and strength took a dark turn during high school, when I developed an eating disorder. What had once been about passion turned into obsession—especially with cardio. It became my drug, my coping mechanism. If I didn’t run, walk, or burn off what little I allowed myself to eat, I felt anxious, panicked, moody, and completely unhinged.
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.
I began my journey in Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 33, and now, at 50, my passion for the art has only grown stronger. What initially started as a search for a new challenge—something to fill the space after years of playing softball, boxing, and hockey—quickly evolved into a life-altering pursuit. Jiu-Jitsu didn’t just become a hobby; it became the vehicle through which I found my higher purpose: transforming lives, including my own, through martial arts.
My journey in fitness began in the water. I started swimming competitively back in middle school, joining my school’s swim team and quickly discovering a deep connection with the sport. That passion carried me through college, where I competed at a small Division III school. Even after graduating, I never left the water behind—today, I challenge myself with open water swims and triathlons.
My fitness journey began about a decade ago, during a time of significant life transition. It was then that my now-fiancé introduced me to weightlifting—a gesture that would ultimately reshape the course of my life. What started as a coping mechanism slowly evolved into a passion. The gym became more than a place to escape; it became my sanctuary, a space where I began rebuilding myself from the inside out.
I began working out in a gym shortly after high school, during a period in my life when I was underemployed and directionless. At 21, I underwent surgery for Digestive Bowel Disease and was told I wouldn’t be able to train the way I once had. That news could have broken me—but instead, I adapted. I adjusted my diet, slowly rebuilt my strength, and started seeing gains again.
For most of my adult life, I was immersed in the restaurant business. The long hours, the constant hustle, and the convenience of eating at the restaurant took a toll on my body and my happiness. I had always been an athlete—fit, active, and strong—but somewhere along the way, life took over. My career and the responsibilities of fatherhood naturally became the priority, and my health slipped to the background.
I used to believe my purpose was solely rooted in the church. I sang, preached, led youth ministries, and organized devotionals across the church organization. I found deep fulfillment in guiding others spiritually and witnessing hundreds from around the world come together to worship. It felt like I was walking in my calling.
My fitness journey is rooted in survival, strength, and the relentless pursuit of self-discovery. I began working out seriously in 2022, but the true beginning of this path started two years earlier, in January 2020, when I received a life-altering diagnosis: kidney disease caused by a rare genetic condition known as Alport syndrome.
My fitness journey didn’t begin in a gym—it began in the middle of a fight for my life. I’m a two-time breast cancer survivor, and it was during the most grueling chapters—chemo, radiation, and medical menopause—that I truly came to understand the vital role movement, nutrition, and mindset play in healing.
I’ve been involved in sports for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I dabbled in everything—from baseball to a single season of football (which I quickly realized wasn’t for me). But then I found soccer, and it became so much more than just a game. It became my escape. Soccer gave me a place to breathe when life felt overwhelming. It helped me tune out the noise and focus on something that felt right.
I was never the sportiest kid. I was born with a congenital heart defect, and had already undergone several surgeries, one of which was open-heart, by the time I was 2 years old. I hated PE. I couldn't keep up with others my age and I hated moving my body, because my body never handled it well.
Over a decade ago, my life changed dramatically. I developed severe preeclampsia and gave birth to a very premature baby. The doctors told me flat-out that losing weight after being as sick as I was would be next to impossible. But deep down, I wasn’t ready to accept that prognosis. I wanted to prove them wrong—not just for myself, but for my son. I wanted him to see that no matter how dire the circumstances, determination and resilience could overcome any odds.
I’m Clarissa, the founder of EmpowerHER Wellness, a holistic coaching service dedicated to helping women reclaim their health, vitality, and confidence. My work focuses on personalized fitness, nutrition, and hormone balance solutions that empower women to thrive by addressing the root causes of their health challenges and building sustainable habits that truly transform lives. But before I could help others, I had to embark on my own journey of transformation.
I’ve always believed that the greatest journeys in life begin with a spark of passion, and for me, that spark was martial arts. Over the past three decades, my journey has evolved into a multifaceted career as an athlete, actor, trainer, and coach. I’ve been fortunate to experience extraordinary achievements, but the heart of it all remains my dedication to martial arts and fitness.
Fitness has been the cornerstone of my life, shaping not only my body but also my mindset and resilience. My journey began in 7th grade under dramatic and life-changing circumstances. I got into a fight so severe that I ended up in the hospital. That moment was a turning point. It forced me to reevaluate everything and gave me the motivation to find a positive outlet for my energy. That’s when martial arts came into my life.
I was just thirteen when my fitness journey began. Back then, I had one big dream—I wanted to play baseball, to earn a spot on the high school team. I idolized Ted Williams, the baseball legend. I read that he did 100 push-ups every day using a stool, and I thought, Why can’t I do that too?
I’ve always believed in the power of vision, discipline, and relentless dedication to achieving greatness, not just in fitness but in every aspect of life. My fitness story is deeply intertwined with my philosophy of living by the "6 F’s to Success"—Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance, Fun, and Fulfillment. For me, fitness is a cornerstone of this equation, one that has shaped not only my body but also my mindset and my purpose.
I’ve spent over four decades dedicated to transforming lives through fitness, a journey that has been as rewarding as it is challenging. My passion for fitness stems from the teachings of my Master and Guru, Vince Gironda, whose philosophy laid the foundation for my approach to BodySculpting. Together, our combined experience spans over 85 years, a legacy that has shaped countless strategies and programs aimed at helping individuals achieve their ultimate fitness goals.
My fitness journey began in 1982 when I was just 14 years old. Like many teenagers, I wanted to get stronger, and at the time, bodybuilding seemed like the natural path to achieve that. Hitting the weights and watching my strength grow was exhilarating, but little did I know that this was only the start of a much larger story.
From as young as five, I was on the go. Gymnastics, tennis, soccer, basketball, swimming, softball—you name it, I was likely playing it. Each sport brought its own demand on my body, which I felt with each dive, sprint, or stretch. By 14, I was a catcher for a competitive softball team, pushing my body to its limits. Then came the pain—an intense, radiating ache down my legs that left me terrified. At that age, fear was my first response; I didn't yet understand if I would walk pain-free again or what was even causing this discomfort.
I know what it's like to feel "less than." Growing up, I wrestled with self-identity, constantly trying to figure out who I truly was. In high school sports, I was always the smallest, definitely not the smartest, yet I always pushed myself to become the best version of me. Then in 2008, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and it was there that I saw how my past struggles were beginning to shape me. I wasn't the fastest, strongest, or the sharpest among my peers, but something set me apart: a sense of awareness, empathy, accountability, and resilience. That’s what marked me as a leader.
I’ve always been into the gym, always active, but it was during Covid that I decided to take my fitness to the next level. That’s when I discovered the world of Natural Bodybuilding—where athletes are tested for banned substances by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). I remember hearing someone say that becoming a Pro Bodybuilder at the age of 50, especially for someone just starting out, was nearly impossible. I took that as fuel. I love a challenge, and this was one I wasn’t going to back down from.
I started my fitness journey in 2021, and like many people during that time, I needed a way to break free from the isolation and depression that COVID brought into our lives. Zumba was my first step, a fun way to meet people and try to shed some weight. I did manage to lose a bit, but nothing too drastic. In 2022, I decided to step it up and joined group classes that included strength training with resistance bands, alongside Zumba. That’s when I started to see real improvements—not necessarily in weight loss, but in how my body felt. I was developing endurance, becoming more flexible, and noticing small but important positive changes in my daily life. But the weight? Still stubborn.
My fitness journey has been a rollercoaster of sacrifice, setbacks, and self-discovery. It started back in my college football days when I committed to working out four to five times a week to maintain my competitive edge. It wasn’t just about staying in shape—it was about keeping up with my friends and pushing myself to always be better. But in 2023, things took a turn. Between the stress of pursuing my Doctor of Education in Administration and Leadership (Ed.D) at SNU and a knee injury from playing recreational basketball, I found myself in a tough spot. Over eight months, I gained 30 pounds of fat, pushing my weight up to 255 pounds. I felt embarrassed every time I looked in the mirror and turned to unhealthy eating habits as a way to cope with the physical and mental toll.
My fitness journey began in 2019, and it was the wake-up call I needed. I was overweight and knew I had to take control of my health. When the world went into lockdown and many people were gaining weight during COVID, I made a different choice. I dialed into my fitness and nutrition, thanks to an incredible online fitness community. Meeting Coach Sam was a pivotal moment for me. She opened my eyes to a new, healthier way of moving and fueling my body, and it changed everything.
Let's rewind to my childhood, where my relationship with working out began. The motivation? Overcoming weight issues and forging a path to self-confidence. Little did I know, this humble start would evolve into a life-altering commitment to powerlifting and strongman competitions in my adult years.
I'm here to share a deeply personal journey that began in my 20s—a journey that saved my life and reshaped my entire perspective. Buckle up as I take you through the highs, lows, and the incredible transformation that unfolded through the power of fitness.
My fitness journey began roughly 33 years ago, right after welcoming my first child into the world. Like many women, I experimented with various exercises, hoping to discover a passion and drive for fitness. Subsequently, I became a mother to five more children, and life became a whirlwind, with fitness feeling like an arduous task on my endless "to-do" list. I eventually accepted the reality that, at that point in my life, my workouts had to be done at home. With almost always an infant, sleeping baby, or toddler around, I needed a solution to maintain my fitness, body health, and sanity.
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