Growing up in a small farming community in Kansas, my childhood was rooted in hard work and rural simplicity. I spent much of my early years helping my parents on our cattle farm and in the fields. Sports were not a significant part of my life then—though I did dabble in coach-pitch softball for a couple of seasons. It wasn’t until high school that I discovered a love for athletics, trying my hand at tennis, cross-country, basketball, and track. While I wasn’t particularly skilled in any of them, I loved the camaraderie and stayed committed for all four years.
High school was also the time when my artistic side truly began to flourish. As a child, I enjoyed arts and crafts through church and Girl Scouts, but in high school, I gravitated toward graphic design and airbrushing. Competing in art shows fueled my passion, and I dreamed of pursuing a career in graphic design.
Then, everything changed after my first year of college when I took a self-defense course at the local YWCA. That class introduced me to Hawaiian Kempo under Sensei Steve Twemlow at the School of Martial and Meditative Arts in Topeka, Kansas. As someone who grew up watching Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme, I was thrilled to finally learn real martial arts. I threw myself into the classes and quickly became obsessed. One evening, after a Kempo session, Sensei Steve invited me to stay for a grappling class—and that was the moment Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) entered my life.
Grappling became a consuming passion. It shaped my life in profound ways, leading me to switch my college major to Athletic Training so I could better understand injury prevention and recovery. Later, I earned a master’s degree in Sports Studies to prepare myself for potentially running my own school one day. By this time, I was a professional MMA fighter, yet I still knew very little about proper nutrition for performance. That gap in knowledge inspired me to pursue a PhD in Nutrition and Human Performance.
While working on my PhD, I faced a significant setback: I tore my ACL, which ended my MMA career. However, I continued to train in BJJ, earning my blue belt after eight years as a white belt, and later my purple belt as I completed my PhD. During this time, my focus shifted to building a career as a college professor, which limited my training to 2-3 sessions per week.
Years later, as a professor at Central Missouri University, I met a new colleague, Mike Israetel. Mike’s presence and friendship reignited my competitive spirit, and he encouraged me to compete in my first International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) tournament. Renaissance Periodization (RP), where Mike worked, sponsored me for the event. That tournament was Masters Worlds, where I won my weight class—without even realizing the significance of the title at the time. Up to that point, I had mostly competed against men due to the lack of female competitors in local tournaments. Winning my division at a world-level event was a transformative experience.
This newfound focus on competing in larger IBJJF tournaments also marked the start of a new chapter in my professional life. I joined Renaissance Periodization as their first female coach, initially working with postpartum clients. Over time, I fell in love with helping clients achieve their performance and lifestyle goals. To better serve them, I earned a graduate certificate in Dietetics and became a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics.
As an independent contractor, I gained the flexibility to dedicate more time to my two great loves: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and art. My passion for art was reignited after a trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, where childhood memories of watching craftspeople inspired me to try glassblowing. A quick Google search led me to Public Glassworks in Kansas City, where I took a beginner marble-making class. That one class sparked a new obsession.
Today, I continue to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, winning World Championships and helping thousands of clients achieve their goals, whether it’s winning titles, staying active with their grandchildren, or improving their overall health. Meanwhile, my artistic journey has expanded beyond glassblowing to include resin art, fabric creations, and even welding. With my own art studio, I’ve found a way to balance my passions for creativity, martial arts, and helping others achieve their dreams.
Life has been an incredible journey of growth and transformation, and I’m excited to see where the next chapter leads.