I was introduced to the bodybuilding and fitness world in 1990 when I was only 18 years old. I first walked into a Gold's Gym in the small town of Salinas, California. I naturally had a petite frame but I wanted to be toner and stronger.

Upon joining the gym, I was immediately put through an APEX Nutritional Program and fitness routine. I learned how to eat healthier and how to use the weight equipment. I mainly grew up on fast food, Ramen noodle soups, twinkies, donuts, candy and white rice, processed foods like hot dogs and spam, wonder bread, soy sauce, french fries and my mom seemed to fry everything in lard and bacon. I think the only thing that saved me from becoming obese is my mouse appetite as a young girl and my asian heritage. All of these foods were eliminated from my diet from this point on. Inner willpower and new found knowledge got me in incredible shape.

My body transformed within weeks of the nutritional program and I loved the way I felt and looked. I quickly became friends with the local bodybuilders who took me under their guidance and showed me how to effectively train. I was a natural at this and best of all I loved it! I found an inner passion to not only be fit but also a desire to help other people become fitter and healthier; so, I put nursing school on hold and, in 1994, took my first fitness certification: AFAA- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.

In 1995, I relocated to San Diego, California and literally fell into the professional world of bodybuilding. I landed a personal training/aerobics instructor job on my second day being in San Diego at the California Health Spa. The owners, Tanja and Al Olano, took me in like I was their own daughter. I didn't want to train myself at the same gym I worked at so I joined another gym at Gold's Gym in Pacific Beach. Within a week, I quickly began training among the greats of that time: Jimmy Quinn, Milos Sarsev, David Fisher, Sue Price, Diana Dennis, Roger Stewart, and Nassar El Sonbaty; just to name a few. I also met Olympia icon/TV fitness host Cory Everson while on the set of the show the Renegades starring Lorenzo Lamas. It was my first television appearance. It was an amazing experience for a small town girl!

In 1996, I moved to Marina Del Rey and you guessed it, I started training at The Mecca- Gold's Gym, Venice, California and met many more athlete greats, trainers and celebrities. I soon had the desire to want to learn more about the body and decided to go back to nursing school. I relocated to Monterey, California and joined Gold's Gym in Seaside and soon after was sponsored by baseball hall of famer, Reggie Jackson, and had personal trainer Michelle Ivers prepare me for my first bodybuilding competition. I had no social life for the next year as it was juggled with training sessions, eating meals and the nursing school program.

I finally did my first bodybuilding competition in 1998.

My list of Bodybuilding and Figure competitions, accomplishments and other experiences:

-Monterey Bay Bodybuilding and Fitness Classic 1998- 3rd Place Lightweight Bodybuilding Division

-San Francisco Bay Bodybuilding Championships- 1998- 3rd Place Lightweight Bodybuilding Division

-Sacramento State Championships- 1999 - 1st Place Lightweight Bodybuilding Division

-GNC California State Bodybuilding Championships- 2000- 3rd Place- Lightweight Bodybuilding Division

-USA Bodybuilding Nationals- 2000- 9th Place- Lightweight Bodybuilding Division

-June 2002 passed the California State Registered Nursing Boards. Then, specialized in trauma/emergency care. I initiated a fitness program for beginning stage Alzheimer's patients through the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) at the Salinas Adult Day Care Center, organized flu clinics throughout Monterey County and also worked with Behavioral Health helping with mental health disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and split personality disorders.

-March 9, 2004, my son Lucas Christopher Sanson was born.

-Utah Spring Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Classic - 2004- 2nd Place- Figure Class A Division

-GNC California State Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Championships - 2005- 3rd- Figure Class A Division

-New York Team Universe Figure Nationals- 2005- 11th Place- Figure Class A Division.

I am passionate about health and fitness and follow a healthy lifestyle and exercise program daily.

Despite taking a few years off from competing after passing the Registered Nurse State Boards, giving birth, and relocating to Los Angeles, sticking to my NOWES system, I remained in great shape and avoided the effects of a yo-yo diet, diet pills or weight fluctuations that plague many athletes who jump in and out of competitions.

The main reason for that is my adversity to the concept of an "off season," always eating right which doesn't mean at all boring, bland or weird, just staying as close to nature as one can reasonably be.

That same year in 2005, right after placing 11th in the New York Team Universe Nationals, I headed to Kenya, Africa for a five-week work and travel trip and I had to improvise my workouts with exercise bands, push-ups, sit-ups and yoga exercises. Once exercise becomes part of your life, like taking a shower, maintaining your home and vehicle, there is no effort to reach for the right food, if available, and spend the few minutes per day doing the planned intensive or medium intensive exercises.

In 2006, My dad had a quadriple bypass surgery. He was on the high fat diet and high protein diet but he now incorporates my diet I introduced to my family in the early 1990's. He also exercises daily and watches what he eats on a daily basis. Today he looks to be in the best shape of his life because of simple lifestyle changes.

That same year, on August 16, 2006, my sister Patricia at the age of 33 past away in her sleep from a diabetic reaction. She had Juvenile Diabetes since she was 9 years old and never learned to accept it. She was always in and out of hospitals because of noncompliance to check her blood sugar levels consistently as well as adhering to a diabetic diet. She insisted she could consume high-sugar foods which only spiraled her to need more insulin injections and experience the side effects. I think of her often and wish I could of been able to convince her to learn to accept her disease and control it through better nutrition intake instead of it taking control over her. I never got to say goodbye to her. I love you, Patty.
(Cat, Ellen, Patty)

In 2007, having maintained my physique throughout my travels, I decided to compete again in the California State Championships at only two weeks out. Since I was at the time 35 years old, I competed in the Masters 35 and over and placed 1st. I also competed in the "younger" division class and placed 4th.

That same year, deciding to live in Asia, I traveled to Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, East Malaysia and Borneo, while staying on the program, learned about the people of the world, their ways to stay healthy and learned how culture strongly effects how we perceive health and fitness.

I had the opportunity to teach many people from as many cultures, shapes and convictions I could ever hope for meeting while sharing the one common denominator; the love for better health and emotional well being, to inspire us all to try whatever worked.

After the 11 month tour in Asia, I returned to Los Angeles only having the opportunity to travel to Europe, and soon found myself training an Indian Kabbaddi team. The guys even flew in from India to play and train in Holland. After just a few weeks of intensive NFL style training and applying dietary corrections, they started to win every competition. During the following three months, they won against teams from Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Germany just to name a few, thanks to the training. It is an exciting sport and I hope it becomes more mainstream in the future.

Besides competitions, just improving your health and wellbeing should be the main goal for longevity sake and happiness. I'm convinced that incorporating my own health rules, has helped with my recovery after my car accident on March 5, 2011. I was in horrific pain and had difficulty walking without shooting pains striking down my right leg. My upper back, left shoulder and neck was extremely stiff and painful to move. I couldn't workout for months and unfortunately I was taking Naprosyn, Metaxalone, Narco, Celebrex, Lidocaine patches and had two epidurals. The medication was only a temporary pain solution with many side effects. It made me lose clarity over my life. I was also at the time going through a separation from my husband. But I had to continue on and raise my little boy. Waking up and seeing him with his big dimple smile was my light, my will to overcome my injuries.

Having the knowledge of my systematic approach to living saved me! I was able to keep control over my life and pain levels. It was difficult at times but I was not going to give up. My NOWES system kept my immune system intact, my cortisol levels down, clarity in my mind and pain levels under control. Even when I am exposed to other people with viruses and infections, the daily demands of being a mother, international travels and the normal everyday stresses of living life in Los Angeles with its pollution, bumper to bumper traffic, stress, etc., I did not become depressed, addicted to medications, obese or severly out of shape. My neck injury, stiffness and pain still continues today, but so far I am able to put off surgery yet another day.

I have learned so many new healing techniques and have met so many amazing people that have helped with my recovery. Chiropractic adjustments, accupuncture, shiraku, ultrasound, electric stem, massage, postural classes, applying heat and ice 2 - 3 times a week for the past 7 1/2 months has helped me keep my pain under control, but my healing journey still continues. My car crash was an awakening experience because it has led me to not only learn about the Wim Hof Breathing Techniques, but to live my life more fully. I feel anything is possible.

I believe the body has the ability to heal itself as long as you give it what it needs oxygen, nutrients and movement. It's the A,B,C's of living! You have the power to take control of your health. I am doing that and so can you! Start taking care of your body today.