Age: 21

Hometown: Montgomery, AL

College: Auburn University

Year: Senior

Major: Nursing

Sorority: Kappa Delta

Instagram: @mccoyevans

What does “Strong” mean to you and what makes you a Strong Girl?

Strong is not only having the power and being physically able to do things that are physically demanding. It is also about having the mind set. The mind set of saying to yourself “I can do this”. What I have learned in the past and still even struggle with is that negative thoughts CAN defeat you. You must think positively to accomplish your goals.

What makes me a Strong Girl is that I won over the negative. I have fought depression and I have won. I would love to help anyone I can to fight the negative. I finally found a place where I love myself, not from what is on the outside but what is on the inside.

What is your favorite thing about The Strong Movement™?

One of the things I love about The Strong Movement, is the fact that it focuses on the mind set of a strong girl.

When did you discover fitness & healthy living and decide to make it part of your lifestyle?

Growing up, I’ve always had fitness in my life. I grew up dancing and playing volleyball (weird combo, I know). But I really took it and ran with it recently. It started Summer of 2015 when I realized I wasn’t taking care of myself and the sad thing was, I was graduating college Spring 2016. It hit me that I was fixing to be on my own in the real world and I was always sick and not even feeding myself. That’s when I put my food down and found my trainer Jerrell Simpson (@trainer4au), I found the Strong Movement, and Ailis Garcia. Without these people, I would not be where I am today in fitness.

How has exercise and healthy living increased your confidence and self-esteem?

It has increased my confidence because I see how my strength grows. My trainer kept giving me things to accomplished and instead of being scared and giving up, I did them. It was so encouraging that I kept doing more and more and seeing how much stronger I am getting.

What challenges and/or injuries have you had to overcome on your fit journey?

THE SCALE! Oh how I dread that awful thing. Since I started out anorexic and skinny my weight was pretty low. Once I started working out my weight boosted and I cant tell you the stress I felt. But I had to trust that I was gaining MUSCLE and not fat.

What do you wake up looking forward to and excited about everyday?

I recently got a puppy so I am really looking forward to being able to run with it. Exercise is something I look forward to every day because it makes me feel so good!

SPEED ROUND…

Favorite Workout: My favorite type of work out is spinning. I grew up dancing so keeping up with the rhythm of any song is very natural to me. Spinning is a great exercise because it gets your heart rate up and tones your legs (aka the part of my body I love to work out the best)

Fit Goal: : I have actually reached my goal of being able to do vertical ab crush ups on the boxing bag! I saw a video on Youtube and practiced all the time. After many falls to the head and my growing strength I hoped on one day and was able to do them!!!!! Don’t ever give up on your goals. Visualize you being able to do them and you WILL BE ABLE!!!

Favorite Fruit/Veggie: WATERMELON!! Oh my goodness I love fruit but watermelon has to take the cake for the best fruit ever.