Trainer, caretaker, friend, lover, dreamer, dog mama, foster care survivor and sober woman. As a child I was rebellious, lonely and afraid. I used to believe that I wasn’t capable or worthy of certain things. I fear people I love being taken away from me and that I could lose myself again. But my gift to the world is sharing my story and helping others to believe they are more than their circumstances. I am the creator of my life. I want to create something so different and so much more beautiful than anything I saw growing up. My best day was the day I got sober. I probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t but it was not easy. I had to start navigating life without numbing all of my internal pain and feelings about my past. There are not a lot of people my age that don’t drink so I try to stay busy with work and projects which is good but sometimes I take on too much. I’d tell a 12 year old me not to drink or do drugs, to be passionately curious and that she’s not alone. I didn’t have parents or positive role models growing up. I’m realizing lately how much I don’t know about life and being an adult. I’m accepting that sometimes I need to ask for help. I spend time with older, wiser people who do things and know about what I’m interested in - I learn and grow from them. It’s hard accepting that you don’t have those people who are supposed to be there for you no matter what. I mean I have people but it will never fill that void of where immediate family is supposed to be. I’m still learning how to live. Everything I know and do I had to teach myself or find someone to teach me. I’m proud that I can accept myself where I’m at. I’m proud of something everyday, even if it’s small like showing up or keeping my mouth shut. In 10 years I hope to own my own fitness business, be married, have a family of my own and a couple dogs. I really want to be a great mom one day. I believe beauty is found in kindness and authenticity. The ingredients to my happiness are friends, my dog, freedom, learning and progress. I am Micaela. I am intelligent, brave and loved. I love to smile and I’m excited about my future.