2005 Time to Step Up!
In 2005, I made the decision to step up into the National level of competition. I had heard of the Team Universe & loved the idea that it was drug tested. In 2005, it was a polygraph test which I must say was kind of nerve racking even if you knew your were ligit!

The Team Universe was in August 5-6th in 2005 in New York City at the Tribecca Performing Arts Center. As it turned out, the GNC Bodyrock which I had competed in in 2004 in DC was held July 9th making it the perfect "warm-up" show for the Team Universe so that was my plan in 2005 and it went very well!

I placed 5th as a middleweight in the 2005 Bodyrock (center in the photo to the left) but that was okay for me as my real target was the Team Universe and I had a month to make improvements.

I was having a great time training this year with my friends Julie & Allen Michaels who sacrificed just to meet me in the gym in the middle of the night as Allen called it (really more like 5AM).









Julie took the photo above & to the right one week out from the 2005 Team Universe.

Finally the Team Universe arrived & I was very pleased with my conditioning the evening before the show as I posed in the room.

The look on my face shows my excitement & I was ready to go!

This was my first trip to NYC and I got to do some sight seeing while I was there including the statue of liberty.

My visit was also not long after 9-11 so I was able to see all the damage done & all the construction currently taking place.


 




I was very excited to place fourth at the 2005 Team Universe (far right in photo) as this was my first shot at a National level competition.

 
I remember sitting in the audience after I got off stage with a great feeling, watching the women compete for the Overall and just thinking how with enough work in a few years, that could be me!

This was the first time I actually realized that I did have a chance at turning pro!