I grew up the middle of 7 children (5 girls and 2 boys) in London, Ontario, Canada. My mother, a figure skating coach, used to bring us all to the arena, and in time I learned to ice skate.

In elementary school I ran as part of our curriculum, and as a great way to cross train for figure skating. By the time I hit high school, I also saw it as a way to make new friends. In grade 10 I joined the high school cross-country team, and quickly replaced my skating time with running time. I decided to quit skating the following holiday season, and joined The London Western Track and Field Club.

I kept up my running throughout high school, racing at track meets, and regional championships, until I earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a frustrating freshman cross country season, I won my first conference championship in the Steeplechase, and went on to win several more titles in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and in cross country. In 2007, after representing the Mocs for 4 seasons, I graduated from UTC with an economics pre law degree.

I moved on to law school at the University of Ottawa, and Michigan State University, graduating in May 2011 with two law degrees. It was during this time that I turned my focus towards road racing, and developed an affinity for the open road. With a hefty work load, and ever increasing mileage I'm sure the tenacity I draw on to run marathons was forged during this time.

Finding where I belong physically, mentally, and within my sport has been incredibly empowering. It has helped me to live, and train with purpose, and has seen me through to some of my proudest moments, both in, and out of my running shoes. Since finding my way to running, I have had the privilege of representing Canada at the Chiba Ekiden relays (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014), at the 2013 World Championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, in the Marathon event, and at the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto, Ontario, in the 10, 000m. My roles as a criminal defense attorney in Tennessee, and now Canada's fastest female marathon, and half-marathon runner, make for an amazing "double life" that I take great pride in.

I didn't know it, but my road to Rio, and every step in between started all those years ago in London, Ontario.