What would you recommend to others who want to be fit and healthy?

Trust the process and know that the benefits go beyond physical. Being fit and healthy not only makes you look good but feel good as you become stronger both physically and mentally. Every time you hit a PR, complete a new obstacle, or see changes in your physical appearance, you change how you see yourself and what you are capable of doing, which translates into all aspects of your life.

How does fitness positively influence your life?

I used to struggle with depression and eating disorders. I started obstacle course racing and powerlifting as an outlet and to fix my relationship with food. What I found was that I really needed to fix my relationship with myself and with my confidence. Fitness helped me do that. Now, as an American Ninja Warrior athlete and coach, I have found confidence and physical ability like never before and the ninja community has become the family I never had.

If you were the next Ms Health and Fitness, what would you do with $20,000?

I currently run a Ninja Warrior nonprofit, Neighborhood Ninjas, that provides ninja mentors and unique ninja-warrior based experiences for kids who have experienced foster care or trauma. I would use the money to open my own ninja gym that offers trauma-informed practices to help these youth develop resiliency, positive coping skills, growth mindset, and a community that can become family.