Every so often we get to do something that makes us infinitely proud. Sometimes it’s receiving a note that someone found a great trainer on our site and has been able to change their life. Sometimes its hearing that one of our professionals on the site has been able to quit his $10 hour job at the gym and go independent because he has been getting clients from Fittron.
But few things can compare to the journey we are about to commence today.
Jorie Salyers, a 24 year old woman from Washington DC, is a former United States Marine and aspiring fitness competitor and model. For doing what so few of us have the courage to do, for standing up for those who cannot, for protecting our freedom, for spending years of a precocious youth in a war zone, and for symbolizing what this great nation is all about, Jorie Salyers has our respect, admiration, and gratitude.
Now out of the Marine Corps, Jorie begins her new life, a life that began in the sands of Iraq and hopefully ends on America’s biggest fitness stages. Jorie has decided to become a fitness competitor. Somewhere along the crucible of life as a US Marine, Jorie developed a passion for fitness and competition. Maybe those long desert nights bring out a sense of revelation and meaning that few of us can ever imagine and you quickly find your purpose. But we’re just speculating. We’re going to let Jorie tell you her story.
Begining today, January 5th, 2010, Fittron.com will be chronicling the journey of Jorie Ann Salyers as she embarks on her goals of becoming a fitness competitor. Like any road in life, the path is long and difficult, and the ending uncertain. Like anyone who set up to accomplish anything of significance, there have been bumps along the road and the journey has been far from easy. But with the individual we have at hand, someone who found the resolve to stand and defend this great country, we have no doubt that Jorie will accomplish her goals.
We will be updating regularly with pictures, articles, events, happenings and more. And Jorie wants to hear from you. She doesn’t have all the answers. She wants suggestions, questions, comments and more.
So are you ready to be a part of this incredible journey?
Then let’s meet Jorie…….
Jorie Ann Salyers – Age 24 – Washington, D.C.
Aspirations: Figure Competitor, Fitness Model, Trainer, Life Motivator
I am a native of Columbus, Ohio, raised by my mother, Julie, in a full household! Jelena, Jorie (that’s me!), Jarren, Jendy, and Jhent. Whew, get all that?
My family means the world to me, and they are my heart and my motivation in everything I do. To protect this beloved “heart” of mine, I joined the Marine Corps at age 19. I needed to do something in my life that made me like I had a purpose. A purpose I had been seeking since 9-11. I wanted to be someone others would be proud of; to my siblings, to others my age, and to myself.
I deployed for the first time in 2006. Shortly before this deployment is where I developed my intense passion for fitness (and love for the Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding – Thanks Arnold!) This deployment in Ramadi, Iraq, was consumed with lifting and fitness. To be honest, it’s what pushed me through the deployment. It was a focus, a goal, an outlet; which sometimes can be easily lost out there.
Returning from Iraq, my mind was set to become a personal trainer, but I wanted to lead by example first. Without a doubt, I was going to compete. How could I help people reach their own fitness goals until I had met my own?
As fast as I had sprinted upward to reach my goals, I came crashing back down. I was relocated to Virginia from California, which set my ambitions to a standstill. From this relocation – I deployed yet again, buried more of my service buddies, had surgery on my right foot disabling me for a half year, and had a humiliating encounter of sexual assault.
The low that I felt was indescribable. I did not believe I was going to be able to re-establish the self-esteem and confidence in myself to tackle anything, let alone getting back in the gym. My dreams were vanishing; they had vanished. My hope for me – had vanished.
I am now at a point in my life that a lot of those things have a found peace – I believe time is to be credited for this. I exited Active Duty Marine Corps in September, 2009. Utilizing this time to recollect, I have felt the same glimmer within myself I used to feel. For the first time in months, I stepped inside a gym. For the first time in months, I had hope for re-establishing who I am.
It is my goal now to take this journey step-by-step, until those steps are across a stage. I believe I am re-finding this passion, this drive of mine, for me. I am doing this for me, for my “heart”, and for anyone, who has maybe lost their way before.