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I spent most of my childhood years (6-13) living in Saudi Arabia (talk about culture shock!), where I embarked on the beginning of my swimming career, learning how to swim in classes at school and then swimming for my school swim team. Not much else to do when you live in the middle of a big desert! We came back to the U.S. because Mom had had enough "culture" and spent my high school years in Roanoke, VA doing little more than studying in school and swimming year round.
I graduated from high school in 1993, gave up my last summer of freedom and my swimming scholarship to James Madison University, to head off to the Air Force Academy for boot camp, with my 8 white bras, combat boots and a dreadful haircut. It turned out to be one of the most challenging and rewarding things I’d ever done. All the hardships and challenges were worth it for the personal growth, relationships, and leadership opportunities I gained and most of all for throwing that white service cap in the air at graduation and looking at the school in her rear view mirror as she left. Just kidding, it wasn't that bad!
Swimming was my savior at school. At any other college, swimming would have been the focus...if you got hurt or couldn't perform, your scholarship was taken away. At the Academy the primary focus was education and the military, so swimming was a get away from it all...all pressure was off! Amazing how FOCUS changes everything!! I was blessed to have a wonderful coach who opened my eyes and body to potential I never thought I had and I ended my swimming career as a 14 time NCAA All-American, with 4 school records, and was Co-Captain of the swim team.
In 1997 I graduated with a degree in Human Factors Engineering, was commissioned as an officer in the US Air Force and headed down to San Antonio, TX to serve my country as a Manpower Officer. Kind of hard to explain, but for all intensive purposes...Organizational Consultant.
After a year I headed up to Mountain Home AFB, ID, where I spent my last four years in the military. During that time, I got introduced to one of the best kept secret cities in America, Boise, ID, the wonderful world of Triathlons, and Mr. Right. I met many great friends, worked hard at my job, got my Master's Degree, was glad for the experiences it provided me, but was ready to spread my entrepreneurial wings and move on.
After dabbling in a couple business ventures, discovering some life-changing mentors and coaches, and experiencing tremendous personal growth, I finally returned to my real love and source of passion...SWIMMING! In January of 2002, I was hired as the Head Coach of the YMCA Sawtooth Masters Program. Inspired by my enjoyment of coaching, the birth of my son, and multiple inquiries for lessons, I embarked on my dream of opening my own Swimming School, and hopefully, one day soon, my own multi-pool Swim Facility, where I can share my passion of swimming with children, teenagers and adults and teach them the intricacies and joy of this wonderful lifesaving, lifetime activity!
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