Recently I was described as someone who “perseveres, adapts and moves forward” and I would say that is pretty much a great way to sum up my life. At the early age of 7, I learned of the heart ache that comes from losing a parent… my father, an Air Force pilot was killed during routine training flights. I have a crooked sternum and rib cage due to a football accident as a child. I have had “seven”; yes I said seven varicose veins stripped from my left leg at the age of 16. And like many girls in high school and college I battled with eating disorders that have continued well into my adult life. Luckily for me all of this equates to turning obstacles into triumphs. My personal motto: “IN DREAMS AND IN LOVE, there are no impossibilities”.
I have always loved learning and teaching. In school I always excelled in Math and Science. For my bachelors degree I majored in Kinesiology --- I fell in love with the mystery of the body. During my four years at the University of Colorado I began teaching group exercise classes. My favorite class to teach--- the ROTC “Military” boys. It was during my junior year that I met my husband, who graduated a year before me as a United States Marine Corps Officer. Two short months after my graduation we moved to Okinawa Japan for three years.
While in Japan I worked for Marine Corps Community Services as their Group Fitness Director for the 7 Marine Corps base gyms. I also created the Marine Corps, Mom's N Babies Getting Fit Program, which consisted of educational lectures, group exercise classes, yoga and personal training for pre/postnatal moms. Today the program is implemented in several Marine Corps bases. During my free time I began to pursue my passion for fitness competitions and entered my first two, taking 2nd the first year, and 1st the second year…I was hooked.
We returned to the US in 2003 where I entered and won the NPC Mid-USA Fitness and Figure Championships, qualifying me for National level shows. I suffered a bad hamstring tear in my only competition of 2004, and it continues to affect my competitive decisions. In 2005 I began training with Mike Davies --- Fitness Factory, and watched my body change “shape”. I placed higher and higher in national level shows and my 2005 accomplishments summed up nicely…I placed in the top 5 in all 4 national level shows I competed at, and obtained a huge goal of mine and graduated with my Masters degree in Sports Medicine. Although in 2005 I only missed my PRO card by one point, I knew God had a reason for everything…and right then he was saying be patient.”
In 2006 the re-occurring injuries from the lasting hamstring injury eventually lead to my pulling out of the fitness component of Team Universe Nationals in July. However I pushed through and decided to compete in just figure. I WON my class with a perfect score, and my PRO card. Mike Davies held true to his promise of helping me to turn pro within two years…together we did it in 23 months. I knew I was where I needed to be, this was God’s path for me.
I was honored to be chosen in 2006 to represent the United States at the World Nationals in Spain. The country was beautiful and the experience unforgettable.
As the years come and go life just gets better and better. I am “asking, believing and receiving” all the joys of my actions. My husband is my biggest fan in all of my adventures, and I made my professional debut as a figure competitor at the Arnold Classic in 2007. 47 competitors applied, and only 17 were chosen to compete.
Away from the competitions I founded and own “Strength & Grace Fitness” a premiere personal training / nutrition company, I co-own the rights to three “Max Muscle Sports Nutrition” franchises, and I am the Co-Founder of “Fit & Healthy Schools” non-profit. I am currently in the process of launching my own “NEW” company Corry Matthews Enterprises, Inc. I am also a member of the prestigious Gold’s Gym International Fitness Institute and train at the Gold’s Gym in Woodbridge Virginia where I am a personal coach / Level 3 trainer.
I believe God only gives us three answers to prayer:
- “Yes”
- “Not yet”
- “I have something better in mind”
I am glad I can share my life with all of you! As the Secret says “Energy goes where attention flows”. Keep focusing on your dreams and watch them come true.
Live with Gratitude ~
Corry |
