Summer Days...

I am so lucky that since I began representing Canada at an international level oh say, eight years ago my summers have been increasingly dominated by travel to exotic locations, amazing memories with great teammates & coaches, and of course, (more so lately) kicking ass!

My first summer on the Junior World Team I remember hustling across town making two jobs, waking up at the crack of dawn for morning work-outs and practice at night. I worked maintenance on campus and served at Earl's in the evenings and on weekends. The constant blur of my summer was dictated by footwear, going from runners to steel-toed boots to heels and back but of course, I was happiest with my wrestling boots wherever in the world they took me.

Now six years later my summer has started the same way, with an amazing training camp and competition in Germany & Austria which has set the tone for the months ahead. My summer competition schedule is tightly-packed with major events and for one of the first times in my life I will be putting aside all other major commitments and focusing 100% on wrestling. In the past while competing, I have attended university full-time, or worked and most often juggled all three. This summer I have decided to cool things off a little and give myself the time to really dedicate myself to becoming the best wrestler I can be. The new FILA rankings have me down at #2 in the world and I feel I have the ability to turn some more heads at the big competitions down the line.

Over the next three months I will have three major competitions. First up is the University World Championships in Pecs, Hungary. Then at the end of July I will be competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Finally my 'summer' wraps up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan at the Senior World Championships.

As far as a day-to-day schedule goes, I have trimmed down many of my 'hard' commitments but love keeping busy volunteering at various events, reading & blogging and connecting with old & new friends. Me & my partner recently moved into a new house and we are in full-swing of reno's which is also adding a little something-something to the days.

All in all, it's going to be a great summer and I'm so excited to step out onto the mats and represent this great country!!!