Michelle's Story
Go to My Resume

My life was not easy, there is much here I knew was best not to tell. I believe that this moment is what counts. You must let go of the negative things in your past, hold on to the positive and remember the essence of who you are. Your body is a symbol of what is going on inside you. You can heal yourself through things that empower you and helping others is the path that makes you feel as HIGH AS THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN. So remember that "the pinnacle is you". I hope my story will inspire you to be your full potential. And remember body, mind and spirit are one.

The Early Years
I was born in Bethesda, Maryland. My parents moved to Los Angeles, California when I was only six months old. I was raised on the sunny beaches and lived what most people see as the California dream, however there is much to be said for that lifestyle. My mom pursued acting and modeling and my father surfing, stunt work and entrepreneurial ventures . Thanks to my Nana who also lived in Los Angeles, I did ballet and piano where I really excelled. I also learned belly dancing and Spanish dancing at an early age. I eventually tried out for the Olympics. My dance lessons helped my floor routine. I made first place on the local level and second for the state.

Due to financial hardships my dream of becoming a "prima ballerina" was sacrificed. I was fortunate to have earned my toe shoes and dance for the Hollywood Bowl. I was always the star of the show and loved to perform. Not being able to afford those lessons was a very big loss for me. I always dreamt of the day I would do those things again. Although I stopped my lessons I continued to be a ham. I loved the camera. While visiting my relatives in the Washington, DC area, my grandfather would allow me to use the video camera. He'd set it up and I'd spend several hours creating commercials and shows. I was an only child who was very good at entertaining myself and others. I coordinated shows for the neighborhood kids and created full productions. I even charged for them.

I eventually landed several national commercials. I had principle parts. It was in my preteens that I just couldn't bear the teasing from other kids, so I quit. I ended up taking an interest in sports. I was like a tomboy only I wore dresses. Except on the field, of course. I played softball for many years and was pitcher, centerfield and number one batter. I even pitched for All Stars. Aside from being good at sports, I had a quest for knowledge. I was an honor roll student and In 6th grade attended a magnet school. I was gifted and talented and had a high IQ.

TOUGH TIMES: The Terrible Teens
My teens were difficult time for me. My father moved away to EUROPE when I was 14. My 9th and 10th grade year, I lived in Beverly Hills and attended Beverly Hills High school. I went to school with many celebrity kids. In 11th grade, things became very tough at home. I had always dreamed of living near my relatives so I moved to Maryland to live with my relatives. I desperately wanted a family life and craved stability. My 11th grade year I made Varsity Cheerleading and was voted for Vice President of Student Council. I ended up moving back to California and attended El Camino Real High School in Calabasas, California. The area I lived in is considered the Malibu Canyon area. I spent a lot of time learning how to surf. On the outside I appeared confident, but inside and l did not know where I belonged. I always had an active social life, but I struggled with my self-esteem.

Young Adulthood and the Birth of My Daughter:
I attended Santa Monica College and took many classes, including stage make up. This inspired me to go to Cosmetology School. I had planned to major in Child Psychology. My mother began struggling again and with no father or ties in LA, I decided it was best to make the big move to Maryland.

It was in 1989, that I returned to my roots in Maryland. It was the year I also did MISS MARYLAND. Even though I was a healthy weight I felt overweight and ugly. Loosing that competition made me feel worse. I started teaching aerobics hoping to keep my weight down. In my early twenties, I met my daughters father after a class. Ironically, my car battery died and he helped me push start it. It's amazing how fate is. Having a child was a major turning point in my life. I felt so much purpose and absolutely fell in love with my child, I gained 40lbs during my pregnancy. Didn't work out at all. After her birth, began working in an office. I was driven to succeed in Corporate America. It was a constant battle climbing up the latter trying to prove myself. I worked my way up from being a receptionist to a Marketing Director. I worked so hard that I really suffered physically and mentally.

Fibromyalgia and My Fitness Career:
At 27, my body began having muscle spasms and was freezing up. I started loosing my focus at work. I was exhausted most of the time.The fear made me want to find other things to rely on so I began to investing in massages and do yoga. Just breathing deeply gave me instant relief. I thought I would never be able to weight train again since I had trouble recovering after my work outs. I continued to do only yoga for years. I went from doctor to doctor. I even saw a psychologist and begged her to evaluate me. The conclusion was always stress and anxiety. With time and research I began to understand the connection between the mind body and emotional patterns that manifest themselves in your body.

LETTING GO OF THE PAST: NEW HORIZONS
The largest healing catalyst in my life began when I ended my marriage. I will admit it was tough letting go of the LIFESTYLE. I ended up selling the express massage and spa business I had started and allowed myself time to heal. I spent hours soul searching which involved traveling, meditating, reading, writing in my journal, and exploring.

I started teaching YOGA for my apartment building. I got completely high on the experience. I enjoyed teaching people how to relax, trust themselves and let go. I started doing workshops and talked about my experiences openly, sharing my most vulnerable parts of myself. People were so inspired by my openness. From there I began teaching other formats. It was fitness competing that took me back to weight training in a way that was effective and results driven.

For fun, I began FITNESS COMPETING. I didn't think I had a chance being 10lbs overweight and not being able to see any definition. Four weeks later, I competed and won 2nd Place. This all happened shortly after winning Miss Georgetown. All of this helped restore my confidence. I needed to let go of feeling fat and ashamed of my body. Standing on stage in a bikini forced me to! Everyone around me was commenting about my physique and asking me how they could get into shape.
I could not help but move my career into designing results-oriented NUTRITION & TRAINING PROGRAMS that are now one of the most popular things I do.

THE OUTCOME:
Now I feel the best I have ever felt. I certainly didn't know I would end up doing what I do now, but all the puzzle pieces amazingly fit. I've learned how to manage Fibromyalgia by not over training and watching my stress levels. Being a single mom, teaching classes, running programs, along with competing takes an abundance of energy. Without proper nutrition and spa treatments, I couldn't do it!

The most amazing thing I believe in now is ... we must trust the signs our body and mind give us about when we are and are not on the right path. Fitness is a great way to tap in!

May you find your path to becoming Happy, Healthy & Hot!

Michelle Beaumont