How did you get interested in bodybuilding/working out?

Growing up I was the last person who would ever have been accused of being athletic. I was teeny, scrawny, had a Heart Murmur and was allergic to anything that involved sweating. I was also a compulsive over-eater, which was compounded by Bulimia. After 15 years of suffering through my self-destruction I was able to overcome the disease although I struggle with it everyday. When I feel like I may falter, I just look myself in the eye & yell, Stop it!.
After I married, my husband, Patrick, and I became downright fat. Patrick was eventually diagnosed with morbid obesity at 510; 302 lbs; 43% bodyfat and at 53; 188lbs. and 38% bodyfat, I learned that I was "significantly obese." I hadn't realized that so much weight had crept on. There was no more time to waste. I knew that if we didnt do something together that neither one of us would make it. That something turned out to be Bodybuilding.
Since then I am proud to say that between the two of us we have lost about 250 lbs. My weight is now increasing once again, but its all lean mass. Bodybuilding has done so much for my self-esteem.
We have been able to do so much because we changed our lives. We are now both Paid Call Firefighters; Emergency Medical Technicians; Apprentice Stunt Persons & Certified Personal Trainers. Not too bad for folks who once became winded due to the exertion of feeding themselves & broke their mattress because they were so fat. Ive even done 3 Full-Body Burns so far. If we can do itanyone can.

How was your first show like, any interesting experiences?

2001 Ironman Magazine Naturally, Culver City, CA; GREAT! I was so happy to be there although I was nervous about the posing routine. To get over my nervousness I kept imagining myself trying to do my routine at my former weight of 188 lbs/ 38% bodyfat. The image conjured was something akin to Fantasia's Ballerina Hippo's. What a riot! Who could be nervous when their so busy laughing at themselves? I was also surprised at what a family atmosphere there was backstage. Such awesome people in this sport!

What do you like and dislike about competing?

The rare occasion when competitors are not friendly backstage. This is not the kind of sport where psyching out ones opponent is going to change the outcome. I try to remember that some of these girls are just carb-depleted and really not bitchy all the time...or not. ;.) Who knows. I just make a big point of being nice to everyone. I truly love competing so I have no reason to be grouchy.

What are your future goals in this industry?

I want the O. ;.)

What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

Same thing, but needing fewer "other" jobs to get by. I'd better invest.

Please tell us something special about you that most people wouldn't know?

I love doing stunt work. My very favorite thing to do is (no joke) be set on fire. I have done 3 Full Body Burns so far & I can't tell you how peaceful it is. It's very much like SCUBA diving, at least until they put me out. When they put me out I can feel all of everyone else's panic transferred onto me & I just want to say..."Slow down, it'll go out when there's nothing left to burn." :.)

Any additional notes? People you would like to thank?

My family: My husband, Patrick who is my spotting partner, photographer, tan application guy, Guy Friday, "honest" critic, email manager, & if you saw his head at the 2004 Arnold Expo with my website shaved into it then you know I have no better publicist. My daughter, Kimberly, for putting up with long nights at the gym during contest prep., contest food, hectic schedules, and a Mom who sometimes has to wear clothes that she'd rather not have her teenage boyfriends see someone else in. And my dog for sacrificing her after-dinner table scraps during contest diets (there's nothing left on the plates when your that hungry).

To IFBB Pro, Dave Fisher for all the years of help teaching us how to compete, pose, diet, tan, every little thing we needed to know & for getting me to the national stage. He taught us all the things that make an amateur into a pro.

To IFBB Pro, Joanna Thomas for helping me so selflessly with this last diet even though she was getting ready for the O. And to both of us for having the fortitude not to kill each other when we were both dieting. I guess we should thank Patrick for that. ;.)

To Steve Wennerstrom for being such a positive influence and a true blue friend. There is too much to say on this, so I'll leave it at that.

And finally.. to all the fans, friends, photographers, fellow-competitors, judges and service providers who did even the smallest thing that helped Team Miller get to the Pro ranks. Much thanks and respect to you all.

Competition History:

-2001 Ironman Magazine Naturally 1st Place Open & Novice LW
-2002 Border States Classic Overall Open & Novice LW
-2002 Tournament Of Champions Overall Open LW
-2003 NPC California Championships 1st Place Open MW
-2003 NPC USA Championships 1st Place LW
-2003 NPC National Championships 12th Place LW
-2004 NPC National Championships 1st Place MW *earned Pro card*