When I was a kid I was not athletic. I was always picked last for dodge ball, softball, or whatever we happened to be playing in gym. I spent my formative years being yelled at by teammates who were horrified by my lack of skillz.

Then my parents put me in Tae Kwon Do, an activity at which I excelled. I got crazy into martial arts as a kid. I haven't taken Tae Kwon Do for twenty years, but I have since studied (to various degrees) many different martial arts.

It would be presumptuous to call myself a mixed martial artist, but that is what I am shooting for. I am a CABA-certified Level 1 boxing coach and competitor with the Toronto Newsgirls under Savoy "Kapow" Howe, and am studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Elliott Bayev and the Kimonogirls. When I am in Calgary, I do the mixed martial arts classes with Lalo Marin MMA.

At age 25 I discovered weightlifting. I don't lift competitively, though for a while I considered doing that. At this point in my life I do it because it keeps me in good shape and makes me stronger. I like being stronger and in good shape. My program now is for general fitness, so I am doing a lot with olympic lifts and the concomitant assistance exercises. I know enough about biochemistry, nutrition, physiology and anatomy to know that most personal trainers are complete idiots. For the real low down and dirty on weightlifting for women (and men, too!), get thee to stumptuous.com!

There are always other activities I'm doing, including cycling and playing soccer with Pink Turf, a women's recreational league. I like being healthy, active and fit. I feel better physically and I feel better about myself. I recommend it for everybody.