American Heart Association Thank you Day!

EXCITING NEWS! American Heart Association is having a Thank You party in Austin TX next week for the senators and assemblymen who championed CPR in schools, Newborn Heart Screenings, CVD Prevention Funds, and Promoting PE in Schools! I will be passing out thank you gifts to them as Your Miss Texas International 2013! This will take place at the capitol! I cant wait to thank everyone for all of their hard work!!!!!

4th of July Parade! Boomtown Mckinney!!

Hello friends!!!!

This fourth of July, I was honored to be a part of the Boomtown McKinney parade! It was soo much fun! People brought their pets and dressed them for the holiday! It was too cute! Although it was 100 degrees outside and my hair fell after the first 5 minutes, I had a blast meeting new people and taking pictures!

My Passion

It all started with a phone call from my father, telling me he had been diagnosed with a leaking Heart valve, and had been rushed to the hospital several times because he was having very intense sharp pains in his chest. I thought, there had to be some way to repair the damage. As my father continued to talk with me I learned it was genetic. I had always known my grandfather (who I never had the chance to meet) had died of a heart attack, but never thought I could lose my father the same way. The next day, the elevators were broken at my apartment, causing me to walk up 12 flights of stairs. I made it up two flights before my size 12 body collapsed in the stairwell. I was breathing heavy, and felt like a ton of bricks were on my chest. I stood up and was so dizzy that I almost collapsed a second time. I sat in the stairwell for almost an hour before a neighbor came out and invited me in for a glass of water. I knew something in my life had to change. I then met with my parents for dinner about a week later. My parents sat me down and had "the talk". They told me they were extremely worried about my health, and that I needed to see a doctor. I ran out of the restaurant crying, thinking that my family was calling me "fat." But, they were only trying to help me. For several year of life, I wouldn't leave my house, see friends or even maintain a job because I was so upset by the way people had treated me. I could feel their worried stares or I could hear their children snickering behind my back. Instead of standing up and taking control of my life, I sank deeper and deeper into a very dark place. It wasn't until I went to the doctor, where he had me get on a scale (which I hadn't been on in about 3 years) that I saw I weighed 200 pounds! He also did some additional tests and blood work to see why I was always dizzy. I returned to the doctor a week later to have him tell me I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and was becoming pre diabetic. He told me if I continued on this path I was likely to live a very short life. When faced with the decision of changing my lifestyle, or not having a life at all, the decision was CRYSTAL CLEAR. For almost 2 years I have been working on my health. I have lost 70 pounds, reversed my pre diabetes and have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It was NOT EASY, but nothing ever worth having is! I learned that heart disease in the number one killer of both men and women! I entered a Beauty Pageant  little less than a year ago, where I had already dropped 40 pounds, and over heard a mom point at me and tell her daughter "Well, you don't have to worry about her, shes FAT" There was that mean hateful word again. I was a size 8 at the time and was so proud of the weight I had lost and all of the work I had done with my platform, but that three letter word crushed me. I went back into my room and cried. After crying into my pillow, I got up to use the restroom and looked into the mirror. I sat there looking at myself for several minutes. I fixed my makeup, looked myself straight into the eyes and said "You are stronger than any word. You have come so far, don't let anyone bring you down." I went back downstairs and smiled the entire night because I knew from that moment on that no one could ever say anything that could upset me like that again. I was taking control of my health and nothing was more important than that. That one negative experience fueled my fire and pushed me to never give up. I have since spoken to over 30 middle and elementary schools, visited the capitol of two different states to speak to senators about heart healthy laws, joined the Passion Committee for American Heart Association, and have been a dedicated 7 year volunteer with AHA! Because of my experiences I want to teach as many people as I can reach the importance of heart health. I was beyond blessed to receive the title of Miss Texas International 2013 enabling me to travel across the state helping Texans learn all about heart disease and what they can do to stop the genetic chain!



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XOXO

Samantha Riddle

Your Miss Texas Intl 2013

Beat Cancer Fundraiser with Mrs Texas Intl 2013!!

Hello Friends!!

I was so excited to make an appearance with Mrs. Texas Intl 2013 Michelle! She is such an amazing women, and a CANCER SURVIVOR! As I've stated before, cancer runs in my family, so I was honored to be able to take part in such an awesome cause! I also was able to invite some of my sponsors, Melissa and Tony Casteel of It Works, to the event as well! These events are a great way for working professionals who care about our community to network!

XOXO
Your Miss Texas INTL 2013
Samantha Riddle

American Heart Association Passion Committee Booth at Line dance for Cancer!

Hello Everyone!

On Saturday I was able to work American Heart Association Information Booth at the Line Dancing for Cancer event at the southwest center mall! Not only did I get to speak to people about my personal story with heart disease, but I got to attend an event for another cause that is near and dear to my heart. One of my Aunts lost her battle to breast cancer several years ago, while another just had a double mastectomy. My grandmother was also recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer, she is currently undergoing chemo. I also got to meet a bunch of young women living in Texas who are involved in cheerleading, sports and dance teams! I think I have recruited several contenders for the Miss Teen Texas crown next year! Being Miss Texas International has truly been a dream come true, it has allowed to combine my two passions, Pageants and serving others, together!

XOXO

Your Miss Texas Intl 2013
Samantha Riddle