It’s that time of year again, where we all talk about what we are grateful for. Personally, I think it should be a year-round practice… Always show gratitude and appreciation to those that help, support, and lift you up. It is the least you can do.

I am thankful for my family. They are the ones who have shaped me into the woman I am becoming. Not one single day goes by where I don’t think about how incredibly blessed I am to be encouraged and pushed by my family to pursue my dreams, no matter how risky. We all know things often don’t turn out the way we expect them to… My family has always been there to help me up, dust me off, and keep me moving down the road.

I am thankful for my Powerlifting & CrossFit communities. Each of the communities provide unwavering support, inspiration, and acceptance. Within the communities, individuals are the ones making this journey with me… Namely my guardian angel, Rob, and my coach, Matt. These two men have taken me under their wings and have enabled me to tap into a side of myself that I truly did not know existed. There really is a fire inside of me and it is not going to be put out. If I could give everyone in the world two things, it would be to feel the same passion about something that I feel on a daily basis, and to know what it feels like to have people believe in you, sometimes more than you believe in yourself. So thank you to my support system, because without you this would be impossible.

Last, but definitely not least, I am thankful for my friends. It’s really wonderful to have the best friends that I have. Despite my slight (maybe an understatement?) obsession, leaving parties early, sometimes choosing training over socializing, etc., they are there for me at the drop of a hat to cheer me up or bring me back to Earth, depending on the circumstances… Just like best friends.

Friday, Nov. 22nd marked the day that is exactly 4 months before my 24th birthday. Maybe you don’t know the significance of me turning another year older… I’ll explain. The Powerlifting world recognizes a “Junior” age category that is from 20-23 years old. I hold American Records in that age category and once I turn 24, I can never touch those records again. Know what that means? It means that I have until March 22, 2014 to defend my American Records and then after that, I graduate to the “Open” class which includes EVERYONE (yikes!) and my Junior American Records are anyones for the taking. Records can only be set in sanctioned (official) meets, so I basically have 2 opportunities – the Southside Winter Classic on December 7th, and the Arnold in February.

This week is my favorite week of every cycle. It’s two weeks out from the December 7th meet here in Anchorage and I get to lift some nice and heavy weights this week. The excitement (for me, at least) started last Friday when I got to Squat 300-pounds for a double (video below). Then today I did two Deadlifts at 340-pounds (video also below). My body is feeling really good lately – I’m recovering well and feeling stronger every day.

This is a really lengthy post, but I guess that’s what I get for a 2-week long dry spell. I ordered the first round of Cannonball shirts for my Arnold 2014 fundraiser. They will be arriving December 3rd and I can’t WAIT to distribute them! Here’s a peek at what they’ll look like (this is men’s fit.. There are also ladies’ fit shirts coming):

That’s all I can handle writing for now. I promise to NOT go 2 weeks without writing ever again. You all are the best and I can’t THANK YOU enough.

I’m now an official AMRAP Nutrition sponsored athlete – check out their delicious Refuel bars: http://www.amrapnutrition.com/products/

“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” – Chinese Proverb