18 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | MAY 2018 MOMSPIRATION Rosie Herrera fights heartbreak and finds hope through fitness. “She comes to me in my dreams. I say they are little hellos from heaven.” Seven years ago, Rosie Herrera and her husband Daniel suffered the unimaginable when their daughter, Alicia, passed away. She was a beautiful and special girl, who happened to have special needs. The family fought with all of their might to give her the best possible life. For Rosie, what happened next was deep depression and a downward spiral. “That was a dark time. There were days I didn’t want to get out of bed, I just wanted to go. But I have two remaining children and a husband who loves us.” Rosie remembers her other daughter (age 3 at the time) walking into her bedroom one day, around noon, asking if her mom was going to get up and make breakfast. For Rosie, that was it. She got out of bed. That was a start. It was going to be a long, hard road and she knew it. Both mentally and physically. Rosie had put on a lot of weight. “250 pounds, a load of depression and a load of pain,” she said. “Not only did I have this weight on me physically, I had this mental weight on me as well. You feel like you are in this state of depression, but the rest of the world continues.” As a journalist, I have had the opportunity to sit down with so many incredible people, like Rosie, and share their journey. The ones that move me most are the stories of faith, hope and transformation. These stories inspire all of us to keep going. No matter what, just keep going. “The first thing was … just planting my feet on the ground again,” Rosie said of her transformational journey. “Just sit up and attempt to get up. And that was it. There were no expectations moving forward. If I could do those few things, I would be OK.” Soon a friend called and asked her to go to the gym. “Yes, I was the big girl in the back of the room for so many months. But it gave me confidence to keep going back. I knew they were going to show up, so I would show up.” Rosie Herrera ended up losing more than 100 pounds, becoming a fitness expert and social media star, opening a gym and sharing her story of heartbreak and hope, openly and honestly with all those who seek her counsel. So here is the big question, and this is what I try to get to with all of the guests on my podcast: HOW did you transform? What are the steps you took, and how did they help you? For Rosie, here are the five steps that helped turn her life around. Carey Peña | Contributing Writer CAREY ’ S CORNER {transformation tuesday}

MAY 2018 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 19 Having lost weight and gained fitness herself, certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor Rosie Herrera is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals. Top left: Before her transformation. Top right: With her husband Jeff and two kids. Bottom row: In top shape today.