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Unbeatable Determination

6/22/2015

6 Comments

 
 I met Natalie about 3.5 years ago when our sons both played hockey together. Natalie is such a beautiful person inside & out. It is truly an honor to call her friend. She is a single mom to an amazing boy named Sami. Everything she does is for him.

Natalie's journey started at the beginning of that hockey season. Our team held a "parent/son" skate session just for fun. Natalie desperately wanted to be able to skate with Sami, but due to her physical incapacities, was unable to.  Natalie told me it was a devastating moment, to see her baby out there by himself, while all his teammates had their parents with them. She went to her car & just broke down in tears. She knew at that moment that something HAD to change. There were so many times where she couldn't participate in things with her son & as his only parent, it just wasn't okay. This was her rock bottom.


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Natalie decided that day, to change her life for her son. The journey has been tough, but she has the strongest sense of motivation & determination I've ever witnessed. It has been a complete transformation, not just weight loss. She is healthier & looks younger at 42 than she did at 22.

 There were about 6 months from that turning point to the end of the hockey season & NONE of the parents on our team (myself included) could believe the transformation in just that short amount of time. After the season was over, Natalie had lost enough weight that she could now ice skate with Sami!!!
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Natalie didn't stop there though. To this day, she continues to follow a strict dietary regiment & work out routine. She is extremely active & often goes on bike rides or hiking trips or just a run in the evening. (typically joined by Sami) Natalie has dropped a total of 94 pounds & has gone from a size 24 to a size 14!!! She did this with the help of an amazing product called Isagenix. However, none of this would have been possible without her hard work, unwavering determination & ultimately, her love for her son.
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It was such an honor to be asked to take part in Natalie's journey & to photograph her amazing progress so far. I can't wait to capture some amazing moments with her & Sami in an upcoming session this summer! CONGRATULATIONS Natalie!!! I am so proud of you & so inspired by you.
6 Comments
Joe Lauber
6/22/2015 03:41:40 pm

WAY TO GO NATALIE!!! Please know how proud I am of you and how happy I am for you...and Sami!! Carry on forward...it just keeps getting better :) Joe

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Sherry
6/25/2015 06:53:04 pm

Congratulations Natalie. Your story couldn't come at a better time. I just completed my first 3 days on Isagenix. My weight loss goal is a daunting 100 lbs. After reading your success story it makes me feel even more confident that I can do this. "If it is to be, It's up to me!" Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us.

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Paul
6/26/2015 03:37:48 am

I am just blown away by these stories. Congratz on your new you. Your a rock star.

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Liza link
3/20/2016 10:51:33 pm

WOW! Congratulations Natalie! What an amazing accomplishment!!! Amanda these images are gorgeous. What an amazing opportunity you had to be able to photograph her! Best St. Clair MO photographer ever!

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Heather
3/22/2016 09:00:29 am

Wow!! This is a great story and such a defining moment for this woman. I am so glad you were able to capture this journey in photographs for her.
If I hear of anyone looking for a St. Clair MO Photographer I am going to send them you way.

Reply
khrystal
4/27/2016 09:01:40 pm

Wow! Are you in the Franklin CO area? You are such a TALENTED photographer.

Reply



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