Athletic Background

I am a formal bodybuilder and powerlifter. I began competing in 1987. In 1990, I won first place in the heavyweight division and Best Female Poser at the Sandhills Bodybuilding Championships. Throughout my powerlifting career, I broke 10 North Carolina State Records, the APA National Record, and in 1997, I broke the World Record at the World Power Lifting Alliance. I am also the 1984 Association of College Unions International (ACU-I) Table Tennis Champion.

My love for sports deepened in Junior High School when I started cheering for the basketball and football teams. I continued to cheer for both sports until I graduated from high school. I was successful in track and field during my high school days, with the shot put being my main event. I have competed in several 5K’s and 10K’s races since 1999 and completed my first half marathon in 2014.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and my Master of Arts (with honors) in Clinical Psychology from North Carolina Central University. I received a doctoral degree (with honors) in Sport and Performance Psychology from the University of Western States and a doctoral degree from a non-APA Clinical Psychology program.

I earned a certification in Reality Therapy from the Institute for Reality Therapy under Dr. William Glasser's tutelage – the creator and founder of Reality Therapy. I have worked as a graduate assistant at my Alma Mater in Advanced General Psychology and an adjunct professor in General Psychology. I am a Licensed Psychological Associate and a Certified Mental Game Coach Professional. I also hold a certification in sport-fitness psychology, behavioral therapy, and cognitive therapy. My psychology background, certifications, coupled with my sport-fitness expertise, makes me uniquely qualified to teach sport performance skills to athletes on all levels successfully.

While completing my studies and performing research, I became a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society and was recognized as one of the Outstanding Young Women of America. I was awarded recognition in the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and I worked as a research associate at Duke University Medical Center.

Education Background