Getting married, three Rising Strength events and running in the Boston Marathon for the Oral Cancer Foundation have made this without a doubt the busiest and best year so far.
I was so fortunate to start off the year by hosting a great self-defense class at the Easton YMCA with LeCarlo Beaty. LeCarlo, as always, did an amazing job with making the women feel comfortable and encouraged everyone to have fun all while teaching life saving self-defense. We had an awesome turn out and I am so grateful for the support the YMCA has offered over the past years in allowing me to host these classes.
One of the women who attended the class at the YMCA asked if I would teach a class for her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop. Go Mom! The topics discussed at the classes can often scare many parents but these are conversations that unfortunately we need to have. The statistic is still 1 in 4 women will be a victim of an attempted or completed rape. Starting these conversations early is critical to changing this. At the class we focused on trusting your instincts and believing in yourself. Thank you to Matt Herron who taught this class and traded his time for Girl Scout cookies!
In April, I had the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon for the second time for the Oral Cancer Foundation. It took me three marathons to qualify for this Boston Marathon and I could not have been happier to be out there again. For a runner, there is no better event than the Boston Marathon. From the start to the finish for 26.2 miles you are being cheered on by the people of Boston and being inspired by all of the runners along the way. While I was on the course I saw a police officer running in full uniform, disabled athletes that defied all odds against them and prevailing each mile and countless runners fulfilling a dream. Running for the Oral Cancer Foundation in honor of mom is something that I will forever be grateful for. Due to the amazing sponsors Forward Science, Caliber Home Loans, Higginbottom Orthodontics, ShoreGate Partners, MDSW Law, SamSport, Benson and Mangold and DS Smith, and many personal donations we were able to hit our target goal of raising $5,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation!
Huge THANK YOU to Forward Science for your continued support and closing the gap with a generous donation that made us reach the $5,000 goal! I am very grateful to have Forward Science on our team in the fight against oral cancer! Their life saving devices, products that help with the effects of radiation and commitment to raising awareness are pivotal in this battle.
Five days after getting married, I had the opportunity to go back to the Senior Summit to share my story and teach a self-defense seminar with John Givens. John is an incredible teacher, owner of a local MMA studio and all round great guy! This was the second year in row that I have had the opportunity to be a part of this great event. I am so proud to live in a community that values seniors and all those who provide care for them. In the class, like many others, several women shared their stories of survival. I am grateful that we provided them an outlet to share, heal and feel empowered through self-defense. Thank you, John for teaching a great class and donating your time to the community!
I can’t thank my husband, Eddie, enough for all of his support in every single one of my endevours. I am extremely lucky to have such a supportive and thoughtful partner. Getting married was absolutely the best part of 2019.
