Hi Everyone!

It’s been awhile since my last blog, but I just wanted to thank all of you for tuning in.

So much has happened this year…

After competing at the Arnold Classic/Figure International as a Pro Figure competitor, I decided to crossover to the new IFBB Pro Bikini division.  To make a long story short, I was fortunate enough earn my Olympia qualification as a Pro Bikini competitor at the New York Pro. That makes it 2-for-2!… Two years in a row competing in the Olympia–Last year, as my first year as an IFBB Pro, competing in the Pro Figure division and then this year as an IFBB Bikini Pro! … I am truly blessed. What was truly special about this year is that it was the very 1st Bikini Olympia in the history of the fitness industry and I was honored to be a part of it and in the elite line up of beautiful and talented women!  What an amazing experience!

Check out my stage shots from the inaugural Bikini Olympia 2010 (Just click on the blue text)

There’s so much to tell about my journey as an IFBB Bikini Pro this year (and I will share it with you in my future blogs), but I wanted to dedicate this blog to my Uncle John and great Auntie Loling. As I was preparing for the Bikini Olympia with only a couple weeks before showtime, my Uncle John became very sick.  I drove down to San Diego to visit him in the hospital and see the rest of my family.  At the time, it looked like everything was going to be ok.  He looked good. He was talking and understanding all the conversations that were going on and he even had his sense of humor and being somewhat of wise guy making funny comments. But earlier the following week, he went into cardiac arrest and by the week’s end he had passed away… Just 5 days before I was to leave to Vegas for the Olympia. I was unable to say my final goodbye to him as his funeral was held during the Olympia Weekend. Plans had changed and none of my immediate family was going to be able to make it to Vegas to watch me compete at the very 1st Bikini Olympia.

To make matters even worse, the same week he passed, I found out that my great Auntie Loling’s cancer came back and she was terminal.  Needless to say, it was a very tough week and my mindset to compete at this history making Olympia was not there until days before stepping on stage when I was to finally arrive in Vegas.  I pushed through and did my best to stay focused.  I kept my family close to my heart and in my thoughts. I imagined the energy they would be sending me if they were seated out in the audience supporting me.

I guess the reason why I’m sharing this with all of you is because with death and illness surrounding my life at this moment, I want all of you to appreciate the family, friends and loved ones you have.  Take the time to tell them how much they mean to you because “tomorrow is not promised to anyone.”  That saying has never hit me so hard until now and it’s really made me look at myself, my life, and my goals and really put things in perspective.

I’ve always believed in the saying, “Every moment that passes is a yet another moment to turn things around.” All of you out there have that power to make things different for yourself with each passing moment. If you’re not happy with your body or your health… If you’ve always wanted to do something or have a goal but was too afraid to make the first steps in that direction… if there’s a relationship that needs some changing or some repairing with a family member, friend, or partner… NOW IS THE TIME to start taking those baby steps in the right direction to make it happen.  Always be true to yourself! … OK! I know I sound like an over zealous life coach spouting every motivational quote I could thing of, but I know you all get the point. Just take the time and do what’s important to you.

Well, until next time, I appreciate you all for taking the time to read my blog and letting me share with you this very personal subject that has impacted my life. It’s good to be healthy in body, mind and soul.  I wish that for all of you.  Talk again soon…

With the utmost respect and sincerity,

Sherlyn