I was born on May 11th in Virginia, but consider myself a Floridian. Dad was in the U.S. Navy throughout my childhood, so I lived in various places including Japan and Spain. Soon after he served 20 years in the military, Dad decided to retire and make our home in Jacksonville, FL.

I am the oldest sibling of four. I have two sisters and one brother (divorced), all of whom are married with children and live in Jax close by my parents' home at the beach. We're a close-knit family, and I miss all of them very much.

I graduated from Fletcher Sr. High School, Neptune Beach, FL in 1985. I also graduated from the University of North Florida (UNF) with a B.A. degree in communications/TV broadcasting and a minor in psychology. I am a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society.

I aspired to be a television news anchor/reporter since I was about 8 years old. I was always mimicking the anchors I saw on TV news -- reading aloud the encyclopedia or newspaper to anyone around who would listen. That person would usually be my younger sister Gila (Gee-lah) who was always kind enough to applaud after each of my sessions. Hahaha!

Though it wasn't TV, I first realized my goal in the early '90s when I volunteered my time as a radio broadcaster for the Radio Reading Service. The service provided news, weather, music and entertainment to the local and regional community members with special needs -- especially those who were blind or unable to view the news on TV or the daily paper. This was about the same time that I became serious about fitness -- and entered my first fitness competition! -- and my modeling career went from being a part-time hobby to becoming a full-time career.

My first professional modeling assignment took me to Los Angeles, CA for an international swimwear calendar shoot. I've since been featured in various calendars, magazines, brochures, radio, videos and on TV. Past clients include Walt Disney World, Venus Swimwear, Natural Muscular Development, Lowrider and Playboy. You can find more details on my resumé.

I was also a contributing writer for a local fitness publication, Hardbody Magazine. My column was known as Model with Grace, the first of which was published in the same issue that I was featured on the cover.

I moved from the beautiful Island of Oahu, Hawaii to Southern Maryland in Dec. 2004 with my wonderful husband -- a pilot in the military. We have a daughter, Armani, who will be 18 on Nov. 29, 2008 and a son, Andrew, who will be 6 on May 8, 2008.

I continued television and printwork up until I was four months pregnant with Andrew. Since the birth of my son, I modeled briefly in Hawaii but stopped modeling on a full-time basis. Instead, I enjoy the luxury of being a full-time, stay-at-home mom and "domestic engineer" (hahaha!). I am also an AFAA certified step-aerobics instructor and instructed a step class every Wednesday -- while substituting throughout the week on an as-needed basis -- at the SemperFitness Center at K-Bay, HI.

As of May 2004, I became a member of the PADI SCUBA society, certified as an Open Water SCUBA Diver! And I made my first sky dive ever -- a birthday gift from my husband (Thank you, Love!). Here are some photos for you to see. Mid-life crisis, you say? Hahaha! Nah. At least I don't think so. In all honesty, I enjoy trying new things whenever possible. If I don't like the experience, I don't repeat it. However, if I like it . . . Look Out! Oh, I just started taking golf lessons again. I almost forgot how easy it is to be so focused on the right grip and stance! Next on my list to try are snow skiing, white-water rafting and paintball war games. Yeah!!!

Though I no longer work as a model, I am still physically active and took up running in 2007. I train with weights at least two to three times a week and I run three to five miles, with my longest run being six miles, most days of the week. Running helped me lose almost all of the 53 pounds I gained while I underwent chemo (steroids in the meds). And my hair has grown back nice and full--and very wavy in the back! I have to straighten it every day to maintain the cute sleek bob I enjoy these days. I'm growing it back out, though; probably down to just below my shoulders.

You can still find me in back-issues of national publications. I'm featured in Playboy's Exotic Beauties special edition (Oct 2002), Playboy's Book of Lingerie (Nov/Dec 2000), and Feb/March 2002 issue of American Health & Fitness magazine. I've also been featured on Playboy's Nightcalls several times on XM Satellite Radio. Finally, you can find me on several Playboy videos/DVDs sold at your local music and video stores. For a full list of publications, see my resumé.

I have re-opened my calligraphy business, Expressions by Grace! Come and visit...spread the word!

I'd like to extend my warmest wishes to all of you who have had nothing but kind words of support for my career and during my chemo treatments. Thank you so very much!!! And don't forget to keep in touch!

Warmest wishes,