I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. Growing up I participated in track, (I did hurdles and sprints), gymnastics & cheerleading. My father, David Crawley, was a competitive bodybuilder while I was young so we always had a gym in our house and I was familiar with the whole weight lifting lifestyle.

I joined the Air Force when I was 18 and still stayed active with all of the PT Physical Training we had to do in boot camp. We always did Push-ups, Pull-ups, running and sit-ups. I could actually do more push-ups than most of the guys!

I found marriage and motherhood and had my first child, my son Peyton.  I married my husband, Derek Gates. He also was into the weightlifting lifestyle and decided he would do his first show. In 2001 we both did the Indiana Bodybuilding show.  Actually my father and stepmom did the show as well! Yes, I competed in bodybuilding.  I won my weight class and won the overall title Ms Indiana Bodybuilding Champion.

I ended up getting pregnant again and had my 2nd child Adelyn in November 2002.  The summer of that year I attended a local bodybuilding show to watch my husband compete and saw my first figure contest there.  I was pregnant but thought I could do that.  So after my daughter I started back training with weights.

In 2004 I did my first figure show the NPC Indianapolis. I won my class and overall title!  After that it was off to the NPC Jr. National Figure Championships and I stayed at the NPC national level after that.

I turned IFBB Pro in 2007 at the NPC Jr. National Figure Championships. I was the overall winner! Quite a big accomplishment for me. This was just the beginning of my history breaking career in the sport of Figure! I did the 2007 IFBB New York City Pro Figure as my pro debut show and placed 3rd and qualified for the 2007 IFBB Figure Olympia. Then at the insistent urging of my manager I entered the IFBB Motor City Pro Figure 3 weeks later and won my first IFBB Pro Show.  How amazing!!  However nothing topped placing 4th at my first IFBB Figure Olympia.  I still feel like I am on top of the world. I still can’t believe I went from NPC amateur to 4th Place Olympian in a matter of 3 months.  During all this I actually finished nursing school this year as well.

I am very honored to be where I am today. My life is very busy being married, a mother of two, pediatric nurse and competing in the IFBB.

I would not be able to do it without my big support group and team, so I have to thank first my husband Derek, my kids and my family and friends for always putting up with me.  My work out partners and friends Tabitha Smith and Jessica Wright (also an IFBB Pro Figure) for motivating me and getting through training, Mike Davies for being the world’s best trainer and nutritionist and my managers for their support and keeping me busy with contests!!

Thanks for visiting!

XOXO,

Jenn