About Me

I'm Bri.  This past January I turned 30 and had what I would consider to be a slight meltdown regarding my impending 30s.  I was nowhere near where I though I'd be at that point in my life.  Granted, yes, I'd accomplished quite a bit, but I still had a long way to go!

I was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up along Lake Erie.  I was never very athletic growing up, though I tried my darnedest!  From swimming to softball to basketball I tried my hand at just about any sport they would let me play.  And I stunk at all of them!  I've always been musical, playing piano since I was 3 and singing throughout elementary school and high school.  When I was told that my "athletic career" was shortened due to a bum knee, I turned to theater and music.  I found that I was much more adept at those things and made my way through highschool performing in musicals, singing in the vocal ensemble, and even venturing into the local theater scene.

I met my husband during my Freshman year of college.  Although we met down at school, we grew up less than a mile away from each other.  Shortly after we met he decided school wasn't for him and he became an ironworker.  I moved back home so I could be closer to him, and graduated with my teaching degree in 2006. 

Tim and I in my younger (and much fatter) days.

Currently I teach special education to 5th-6th grade students.  I went back to school and finished my Master's in special education in 2011.  In 2014, I finished up my coursework in Educational Leadership and earned my Supervisor of Special Education certificate.  I'm currently in the process of looking into Doctoral programs.

In my spare time I do my best to keep busy.  We have a 5 year old daughter who helps out quite a bit in that department!  Along with running after her, I've also taken up running on my own.  As part of a whim four years ago I ran my first 5k with two friends of mine (after a total 5 days of training).  Although I didn't do well, running became an escape for me.  Since then I've run several more 5ks.  I ran my first half marathon in August of 2013, two weeks after recovering from a stress fracture in my foot.  In October 2014, I accomplished something I never imagined would even be a goal for me:  I ran a full marathon.

In April of 2013, I was also introduced to a local organic fitness group called Team Adrenaline.  We are those "crazies" out there working out in any weather.  Since starting with them I have gained a second family and completed even more crazy events like the Barber Beast on the Bay, Touch Mudder, a many other "crazy" things.  We joke about "drinking the Kool-Aid" but finding them was one of the best things that has ever happened.  They offer a level of camaraderie and support I never thought possible and push me to levels I never thought possible.

On top of running and exercising in general, I love spending time with my family.  Even if it is just dinner or watching a movie, being around them helps remind me of who I am.  I am fortunate to be surrounded by some pretty awesome people.

I started this blog in response to a need I felt to tell my story.  Others may think it boring, but it is what it is.  I have started on the path of transformation, and wanted to share it with those out there who may be on their own journeys.