get to know me
I know building (and keeping) the body of your dreams starts with your heart and your mind.
After years of struggling with my own issues around health, happiness, and personal fulfillment, I turned my life around by aligning my mindset, emotions, and physical health. My work is the culmination of everything I’ve learned and a guide to how I rebuilt my life from the ground up. I can’t wait to help you do the same.
get to know me
I know building (and keeping) the body of your dreams starts with your heart and your mind.
After years of struggling with my own issues around health, happiness, and personal fulfillment, I turned my life around by aligning my mindset, emotions, and physical health. My work is the culmination of everything I’ve learned and a guide to how I rebuilt my life from the ground up. I can’t wait to help you do the same.
How I got here
1980-1990A decade of traumatic experiences - domestic violence, parents fighting, cheating, drugs and partying.
1996Graduated from high school and won sole custody. Was dropped off at university with my son and only our bedroom furniture. Quit in the first week to live with a man 20 yrs older—to take care of us.
2001 Took my son to live with my parents while I shacked up with my cousin an hour away to attend university to make something of myself.
2008 My best friend moved out to get married and I fell apart again - I got addicted to a man and ecstasy and failed my last semester of university before going to law school. I got a job as a waitress.
2010 My son graduates from high school and heads to university, I graduate with my nursing diploma. I leave the ‘nice’ boyfriend and head to Cuba to visit friends living there and meet another man.
2015 My Cuban moves to Canada, he learns I am a high functioning addict, insists I get clean. I don’t, so he leaves me. I rebound into a violent relationship with a drug dealer and get hooked on harder drugs again.
2021-presentI slowly began to work on myself. I started a narcissist abuse recovery program. I trained my body harder and competed in an NPAA Body Building competition. I won my Pro Elite Card and had more plastic surgery. Slowly but surely began to realize that only changing the outside created a transformation that was only skin deep. Began developing my mindset, wellbeing, and self-love muscles alongside the physical ones for something I now recognize as real, fearles transformation.
Decided to let the old Denise go and replace her with Dee-my new fearless version.
Welcome to a brand new world!
2018-2020 I quit drugs again, lose 70 pounds and get plastic surgery to remove lose skin, all in the hopes of trying to make a man love me and stop cheating. He left me while I was still recovering —for someone ‘more fit’ as he put it. I began a narcissist abuse recovery course.
1977I make my first appearance. Welcome to the world and your dysfunctional family, Denise Marie!
1991-1995I get pregnant at 14 so I can get welfare to escape the family trauma but I end up moving to foster care while fighting my parents for custody of my son. Started stealing my mother’s drugs- my first learned coping skill.
1997-2000In and out of violent relationships. Struggled with addiction - attended Narcotics Anonymous and tried to stay clean — for my son’s well-being.
2002-2008Moved my son to university with me. Found some stability (still a high functioning addict) while living with my best friend whose parents looked out for us. GRATEFUL.
2009I meet another man. This one is kind. I get off harder drugs (not the marijuana) and go live with him in the city to attend college to get a nursing diploma, leaving my son on his own in grade 12.
2011-2014I marry the Cuban and traveled back and forth while working as nurse. I spent every penny to support him and his family. (No regrets - ask me why).
2016I convert to Islam in search of peace, only to be sexually abused by another man and abandoned by him on the streets of LA with no money or plane ticket. My son flies me back to Canada and I land in Calgary where I decided to stay.
How I got here
1977I make my first appearance. Welcome to the world and your dysfunctional family, Denise Marie!
1980-1990A decade of traumatic experiences - domestic violence, parents cheating, drugs and partying. Sexually abused by their coked up friends.
1991-1995I get pregnant at 14 so I can escape the family trauma but I end up moving between foster homes while fighting my parents for custody of my son. Started stealing my mother’s drugs- my first learned coping skill.
1996Graduated from high school and won sole custody. Moved to university with my son and our bedroom furniture. Left in the first month to live with a man 20 yrs older—to take care of us.
1997-2000In and out of violent relationships. Struggled with addiction - attended Narcotics Anonymous and tried to stay clean — for my son’s well-being.
2001 Took my son to live with my parents while I shacked up with my cousin an hour away to attend university to make something of myself.
2002-2008Moved my son to university with me. Found some stability (still a high functioning addict) while living with my best friend whose parents looked out for us. GRATEFUL.
2008
My best friend moved out to get married and I fell apart again - I got addicted to a man and ecstasy and failed my last semester of university before going to law school. I got a job as a waitress.
2009
I meet another man. This one is kind. I get off harder drugs (not the marijuanna) and go live with him in the city to attend college to get a nursing diploma, leaving my son on his own in grade 12.
2010
My son graduates from high school and heads to university, I graduate with my nursing diploma. I leave the ‘nice’ boyfriend and head to Cuba to visit friends living there and meet another man.
2011-2014
I married the Cuban and traveled back and forth while working as nurse. I spent every penny to support him and his family. (No regrets - ask me why).
2015
My Cuban moves to Canada, he learns I am a high functioning addict, insists I get clean. I don’t, so he leaves me. I rebound into a violent relationship with a drug dealer and get hooked on harder drugs again.
2016
I convert to Islam in search of peace, only to be sexually abused by another man and abandoned by him on the streets of LA with no money or plane ticket. My son flies me back to Canada and I land in Calgary where I decided to stay.
2018-2020
I quit drugs again, lose 70 pounds and get plastic surgery to remove lose skin, all in the hopes of trying to make a man love me and stop cheating. He left me while I was still recovering —for someone ‘more fit’ as he put it. I began a narcissist abuse recovery course.
2021-presentI slowly began to work on myself. I started a narcissist abuse recovery program. I trained my body harder and competed in an NPAA Body Building competition. I won my Pro Elite Card and had more plastic surgery. Slowly but surely began to realize that only changing the outside created a transformation that was only skin deep. Began developing my mindset, wellbeing, and self-love muscles alongside the physical ones for something I now recognize as real, fearles transformation.
Decided to let the old Denise go and replace her with Dee-my new fearless version.
Welcome to a brand new world!
before
after
Self love is one of my guiding principles, in everything I do. From setting boundaries and choosing healthy environments, to feeding my body with nutrients instead of garbage.
My Signature Program, Transformation 2.0 is more than a fitness program. It is a healing journey that helps you love yourself where you are. It digs deep to find the moments in your past that you started doubting your worth based on your body size. The moments that have led you here, looking for a weight loss program to fix everything.
JOY is the not prize at the end of a weight loss journey because it is something already inside you.
SKINNY might be what you are looking for, but a journey to SELF LOVE is what you want.
My Guiding Principles
FAITH
I belive faith can be found in our hearts and our heads. Faith is trusting (heart) and believing (head) whole heartedly that everything always works out for our benefit — even the tough stuff. It’s about acknowledging our fear without letting it control us.
HEALTH
Healthy does not necessarily mean skinny! If skinny is what you desire—ask yourself, why? Is it connected to not feeling ‘good enough’? Is it attached to your self-worth? Striving to be healthy detaches your worth from the body you live in. Choosing health is real self-love.
FUTURE THINKING
The best YOU is the one that is ahead (not some version of yourself from the past). When you know who you want to be, you can make decisions from that version of yourself, not the person you’re ready to leave behind.
GRATITUDE
Cultivating gratitude shifts our focus from what we think we lack to what we already have. By appreciating all of the things in our lives, both good and bad, we open ourselves to joy and contentment.
AUTHENTICITY
Embracing your authenticity is a defiant act of self-love. It’s a rebellion against the pressure to conform. Be true to your own personality and values — don’t pretend to be something you are not.
RESILIENCE
Our challenges do not define us. Our ability to find strength and purpose even in the darkest times reveals our true character.
SELF-COMPASSION
Everyone has limitless potential. The key to unlocking it lies in the gentle act of treating ourselves with kindness and understanding. That relentless loop of self-criticism amplifies our shortcomings and diminishes our feelings of self-worth. Meeting our mistakes with forgiveness allows us to move forward.
FORGIVE
Forgive others. Holding onto anger and resentment impedes your own growth. Forgiving doesn’t mean tolerating abuse; it means you choose to move on from what hurt you. And while you’re forgiving others, FORGIVE YOURSELF.
Currently…
WATCHING:
Anything related to Yellowstone.
DRINKING:
Water - I know, boring but so important!
READING:
“Conversations with God” by Neale Walsh
LISTENING:
I like the quiet or sounds of nature. I only play music (or podcasts) in my car.
CRAVING:
Anything sweet!
This
or
That
(where I stand on the really important things)
COFFEE
MOUNTAINS
EARLY BIRD
TOP SHEET
SWEET
RELAXING VACAY
MOVIES
HEELS
TEA
BEACH
NIGHT OWL
NO TOP SHEET
SALTY
ADVENTURE VACAY
TV SERIES
FLATS
This
or
That
(where I stand on the really important things)
TEA
BEACH
NIGHT OWL
NO TOP SHEET
SALTY
ADVENTURE VACAY
TV SERIES
FLATS
COFFEE
MOUNTAINS
EARLY BIRD
TOP SHEET
SWEET
RELAXING VACAY
MOVIES
HEELS