Welcome to my “Healthy Recovery” blog.
It has taken a lot of careful consideration to determine if I want to take my story public. I figured that this was a good compromise because this format still affords me the opportunity to remain “anonymous” per se. There is some comfort in that.
My story: it’s complicated yet simple. I will start with where I am today and I may choose to go back and document the past piece by piece. This is a big step for me, so I am going to choose to keep it simple for now.
Fall 2011 I moved back to Atlanta. This is my second stint living in the City of Atlanta. I gave up my six figure corporate job in January 2008 to pursue a long term career in the health, fitness and wellness field. I am now an American College of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer and Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Instructor. I started my own in home personal training business and was working at 3 different studios in Atlanta to keep a roof over my head and food on the table.
I spent several months looking for the “perfect” place to live. A loft-style apartment in the center of Buckhead is where I landed. Floor to ceiling windows, metal 2 story staircase, pendant drop lighting. I could lay in my King size bed with a serene view of the property and pool area. Nighttime was the best. The city lights, buildings and sounds of the bustling city. I was a happy, happy girl. I would come home every night from teaching classes smiling from ear to ear. I had finally found a profession that I LOVE. I had finally found a way to move out of my parents house and make the finances work.
Then, one night it all changed. I contacted a neighbor to see if he wanted to go grab a quick scotch. He already had plans, but arranged for me to meet up with a hostess at a hotel bar within walking distance. Great – I thought at the time. A new point of contact and she even lived in the same building. I did my hair and makeup, threw on a dress and walked to the hotel bar solo.
I remember every single detail of the evening. I know exactly who I was talking to. I know exactly what we were talking about. Somehow I was coerced into taking a sip of his drink. Naively, I took it. It seemed to make sense at the time with the flow of conversation leading right into it. From there – everything is black. Complete darkness.
I woke up. I was drugged. I was sexually assaulted. I lost more than my dignity and self confidence that night. I almost lost my life. The person responsible for this crime almost killed me.
This is MY story on how I am picking up the pieces to my broken life. My broken state of emotional, mental and physical stability.
