I was born in the small town of Oneida, Tennessee, where I spent the first 13 years of my life. My family has always prided themselves as down home country folk, and Oneida has always been the place to find friendly southern people. Before I turned 14, I moved to another small town in Kentucky. I always believed there couldn't be too many differences between the people of the two states that border each other, but I quickly learned that wasn't true. Everyone teased me  over my deep southern draw, big hair, and tight jeans (Yes, I was still stuck in the '80's during the '90's). I've never had a problem with being teased because it was all in good fun. I did, however, manage to meet people that changed my life. I was a little "wild child" in my old home state, but my new found friends got me into plenty of high school activities. I was a cheerleader, a drama coach, & competed in the National Forensics League . I was also the winner and Miss Congeniality of our little hometown pageant.

After high school, I decided to attend a university.While in college, my most exciting times were winning several bikini contests in the downtown clubs. There wasn't very much to do beyond that and I managed to get burned out on going to school, so I took some time off. I then started working as a bank teller in Lexington, sitting behind a desk all day. Doing that every day for a year helped me put on quite a bit of weight. I've always averaged a size 8, but within that year, I had ballooned up to a size 13/14. 

Then I began attending our local gym's kickboxing class. Despite my fear of trying something new and breaking out of my lazy routine, I decided to go for it. After about a month of hard work and eating right, I felt like I wasn't seeing any results, and was a few classes away from quitting. Just as I was about to give up, the weight seemed to disappear. My endurance and strength improved and I felt very energetic. So, I became addicted to this hard core kickboxing class, and I've been doing it now for about five years.  Months after I started kickboxing, I began weight training. Before I knew it, I could see muscles!!  I then happened upon a photographer in CA, started taking pictures and being published in a number of magazines, cards, and calenders, and built my own site. I've also managed to meet several great people along the way! I realized that I would always strive to be fit and to look my best.  It's truly been an overwhelming experience to watch my body change so drastically.  I feel like I've become a new woman, and I've just received my BS in Psychology with a minor in sociology!!  

I have never, in my life, felt as wonderful as I do now. I love being fit and knowing that I can protect myself. I've gained this and so much more since I've been working out. Before, I had not realized that I had so much discipline and inner strength. I know now that I can do anything in this world if I just put my mind and my heart into it. And so can everyone else. We just need to look inside ourselves to find that determination and hang on to it.

Cristy Lake