Body image has always been something I have struggled with since I was a kid. From a young age I was always 15-20 pounds over weight and it didn’t seem to be something I was able to control.   Like most people, I had this fantasy of the way my body could look like if I just went to the gym and worked out… I mean, how hard could it be? So with what little knowledge I had in my back pocket from YouTube videos and fellow gym-goers, I would haul my behind into the gym and push, pull, swing whatever piece of iron I could get my hands on – while aimlessly dreaming of the body I so desired to have. Like most people who have big dreams with no plan, I seemed to be going nowhere fast. I was fortunate enough to have a friend introduce me to Jamie, as she had just finished competing in her first fitness competition with amazing results. My first session with Jamie proved to me that he was extremely knowledgeable about health and fitness – and his evidence based approach really taught me to understand my body and learn how to improve my  physique by doing the right work outs in the gym and eating the right foods based on my fitness goals. Jamie made a point that I knew he would always be there for me when I needed his guidance and I can confidently say he was true to his word. Over the period of a year and a half I had seen Jamie every few months, and once I decided to take my goals seriously I was able to drop from 165 to 145 pounds while maintaining muscle mass and having abs for the first time in my life! Weight lifting is a sport, and any athlete who ever achieved any level of success in their sport all have the same thing in common – a supportive coach to help guide them to their goals. I can proudly say if it wasn’t for Jamie I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the physique I have now, and is why I continue to seek his guidance as I continue to embark on my new fitness journey.