I have seen you around for a couple of years. Tell me what you do at the Arnold Sports Festival.

I currently put on the Amateur Strongman World Championships. I put on the professional Strong Woman event. This year we are adding the World’s Strongest Firefighter (on Sunday).

Tell me about your journey. You just don’t walk in off the street and end up in your position.

This is going on 25 years of being in charge. This is my twentieth year at the Arnold. I first started with 146 athletes worldwide. I now have over 20,000 athletes, in 26 different countries.

Is this a volunteer position or do they give you some cheese for this?

Sidebar: She answered this question while showing me her badge.

I own the company.

All this time you’ve been sitting on this and haven’t said nothing?

I thought you knew.

Let’s talk about challenges and barriers to entry.

I am a black female. Very black. Ninety percent of my clientele are Caucasian. Fifty percent of them are male. I have been climbing hills all my life. I started out climbing an icy hill. I am constantly digging my way up.

Is this a year around thing for you?

Yes. We have about one hundred and seventy events per year.

That’s the administrative and the money side. You look like you can lift a little something yourself.

I started out as a competitor. The opportunity came for me to purchase the company. I have been promoting events since 1997. In 2000, I purchased the company 100%.

What advice would you give to your younger self or someone else coming behind you?

Never give up. Always grow. Don’t leave any doubt.