Getting to know Jasmen

"It's time to come inside" we're the words I dreaded. Skinny arms and legs were bolting from whoever was "it", jumping double Dutch for hours on the block, climbing monkey bars till calluses formed, day in and day out. From sun up to sun down, not wanting to stop for a meal or even a breath for that matter, I relentlessly challenged the guys to race me and was always on the go. It did not take long for it to be realised that I was a budding athlete. At the age of 12 I officially started running track with an all girls team named Jeuness. There I was able to harness all my energy into competing. With some tweaking, tough love, and lots of coaching, coach Jean had me on my way to success. I won some races and I lost some, all in all I learned patience, dedication, and discipline from a young age. The first race I ever ran was Colgate women's games. Nerves were heavy upon me and i could barely warm up as i watched all the other girls get in their zone for their races. My form was all off, I did not know how to down start properly, I didn't even have on spikes, but all I knew was run and go for the win. The gun for my heat of the 200 meter dash rang loud through Pratt institute gym and I sprang into action like a ferocious baby cheetah. Before I knew it the finish line was behind me and I had not took first place nor second or third. Fourth or fifth wasn't mine to claim either. I came in sixth place. As a shred of disappointment tore through my chest and pierced my heart, it quickly went away when the lady presented me with a ribbon for my sixth place achievement. It was not much but at that moment I felt a small triumph that spoke to me saying " a winner is not the girl who fell and gave up, but the girl who has the courage to smile and try again tomorrow". All my lactic acid disappeared as I held my head high, accepted my WINNING ribbon, and set my heart on next weeks 200 meter dash. Following that I worked very hard, wanting so badly to get a taste of the first place pie. I went on to make it to the Colgate women's games finals at Madison square garden 3 years in a row and was blessed to win the first place prize of a $1000 scholarship. Many wins and many losses followed. I went on to compete in Empire State games in 2008. I ran and medaled at Penn relays 4 years. I was rookie of the year my freshman year in high school as well as college. I acquired many medals and trophies over the years. When I got to college I was athlete of the week many times and was an all conference runner all in my freshman year. Although many family members and friends were proud of my achievements, there was and still is a small hole in my own self recognition. I didn't meet a few personal goals as well as go as far as I wanted to. I always dreamed of going away to college and running for some big school like Texas A&M, MiamiU, Florida A&M, Louisiana State U, etc. It was a combination of not having the right opportunities, and also not realising my potential and working as hard as I possibly could. I did just enough to keep myself at a good enough place in the statistics, nothing extra. I lacked that true hunger and discipline that comes from the edges of your soul which motivates you to push on even when I hit the wall. Unfortunately my track dreams have expired but I have not ! And I have finally realised my capacity for greatness, I believe that I can get higher than the level I once dreamed of and I will. And along with wanting a better lifestyle for myself, I realised how much I want to help others, I am always here for my friends and family who need a push and I love it. I am studying to be a CPT and that is where my dream will just begin. I'm excited for my growth and growth to come. I will be charting my success, goals, workouts, diet, fitness info, etc. I hope you all enjoy my journey. I'm going after this dream harder that I went after my track dreams, I want this really bad. I will be charting my journey because I want to motivate others and show them that it is achievable, I am a real person and I am working at this one day at a time.That is all it takes. The past is the past, if you want something whether its to lose weight, tone up, etc. start today, start NOW. Don't let anyone or anything stop you, discourage you, or turn you back. Anyone can give up, giving up or not starting at all is easy and an attribute of the weak. But a true winner is the one who persevered through those uncomfortable exercises, worked hard, dug deep, and made it through. I'm not asking you to have a fitness, or athletic background, that does not matter, I repeat DOES NOT MATTER. What ever shape, size, or fitness level you are at, this blog is simply catered to the ones who are ready to make a commitment and try. The ones who are willing to take a leap of faith and get that first foot step through the door. I am here to support and uplift those people. I am not a certified personal trainer yet. But stick with me and read my workouts, diet suggestions, and advice and you will see improvement. I'm headed to the top and I hope your coming with me ! Fasten your seat belts and don't even blink,  this plane is preparing for a quick and powerful take off.