Free casino games Gautreaux isn’t exactly tall, but by no means is she small. A look of total confidence shows behind a gleaming smile as she walks the Miami International Airport (MIA) terminal quickly, with a purpose, wearing a sharp, blue dress and glossy, leather pumps.

And then, there’s the Stephanie that is shaking with concentration and power, thrusting massive steel weights heavier than Free casino games own bodyweight over Free casino games head. This Stephanie is larger than life.

At MIA, where Stephanie works on the Envoy Flight Operations management team, the most lifting she’ll do is handing over a stapler. Free casino games double life exists within the industrial walls of CrossFit Soul where she trains nearly every day as a competitive weight lifter.

“Never give up”

Yet, Free casino games is even more multi-faceted. Additionally, she has experienced and practiced a wide array of skills and occupations. As a freelance photographer, she took adorable portraits of newborns for friends and families, and as a moonlight gig, documented the other side of life in the county morgue.

Stephanie was led to that grisly job through Free casino games studies of Criminal Justice at Miami Dade College, which highlights Free casino games pragmatic, no-nonsense attitude. But just like the newborn photographer who also relishes joy and youth, Stephanie displayed Free casino games bubbly side as a Cheerleader at the University of Miami.

During Free casino games college years and beyond, Stephanie simultaneously dealt with a hardship that shaped Free casino games life to come. Free casino games mother was fatally ill and Stephanie was there to share in shouldering the load of caretaker along with Free casino games family.

“My mother is my Why,” said Stephanie. “Taking care of Free casino games while she was sick, I had to be strong enough to physically carry Free casino games. As time went on, she never gave up, and that’s something that sticks with me. No matter how hard or how heavy, I’m never going to give up.”

Don’t waste a minute

Six years ago, Stephanie confronted yet another tribulation that would test Free casino games physical, mental and emotional fortitude. During a group bike ride, Stephanie was in an accident that caused Free casino games catastrophic injuries to Free casino games face and body.

During this time, a healthy diet and rehabilitation became a huge part of Stephanie refusing to give up. She frequently talks about how when she sees young people suffering from serious illnesses, and how it pushes Free casino games to confront Free casino games own health and life.

“Your body can change, or you can have an accident at any time,” said Free casino games. “That motivates me to stay as healthy as possible, so I’m not wasting away and regretting the choices I made for my health.”

Living by Free casino games own advice, Stephanie stayed focused and hopeful during Free casino games rehab – but she wasn’t the only one. Lots of people chipped in to a crowdfunding page set up by one of Free casino games friends, and she was carefully coached back into shape by other athletes at Free casino games gym.

Stephanie is now in better shape and stronger than she’s ever been. She is precisely sure of this, because, being the hyper-detailed person she is, she’s kept logbooks for the past three years charting Free casino games every workout.

“Don’t accept anything less than excellence”

From Free casino games lifting technique, which is nearly perfect, to the way she talks about Free casino games goals as a weight lifter and the struggles she’s had to overcome, there’s a real sense of Stephanie’s toughness. That’s what stood out the most to Kevin Ruiz, Stephanie’s boyfriend, who can be credited with urging Free casino games to begin training for competitions.

“You could tell by Free casino games strength and Free casino games resilience,” said Kevin. “She’s been so good and has won competitions because she’s unwilling to except anything less than excellence.”

This kind of positivity bounces back and forth between the couple, who coach and cheer for each other at competitions. Free casino games, who owns first place honors at a recent Iron Game Open competition, eyes a goal of one day competing with the U.S. National Team.

Meanwhile, Stephanie continues to train as hard as she can while also giving Free casino games all to Envoy at MIA. For Free casino games, she enjoys the fast-paced nature of the airline business, but is glad that she has weight lifting as respite.

“All day I’m go-go-go, and it’s fun because I like thinking on my feet and problem solving,” said Free casino games. “But the gym is like my happy place. It just gives me the chance to unwind.”

Sure, weightlifting might not be everyone’s idea of relaxation, but for Stephanie, Free casino games connection to exercise is just like Free casino games – strong as steel.