"Whatever she makes her mind up to do, she does--and does it well. She was always active. She was into everything, really. She just gave everything her all. That's the way she was from day one."

Ann Karinch, her mother

Well, it's a pattern. Achievement, that is. And while Maryann is proud and happy of her accomplishments, she knows who helped her along the way. The point is: Achievement has enduring value and is a true source of happiness if it's a shared accomplishment--otherwise, it's just a moment in time.

First grade at age 5 (mom and cousin Karl Karinch helped her learn to read). High school student council at age 13 (friend Jean Krause nominated her). Ranked first in her class by second semester, freshman year (had friendly rivalry with her buddy, Russ Hartman, now an expert in Native American art). Held on and graduated valedictorian of her high school class. In the meantime, starred in her Senior Play, Pygmalion (directed by her beloved English teacher and friend, now deceased, Hubert Patrick Conner). High school was a high--DAR Good Citizenship Award, Betty Crocker Homemaker of the Year, and ranked in the top 2 percentile nationwide in a military aptitude test for mechanical ability (her father told her she could be anything, do anything, except maybe play for the NFL). And an academic scholarship to The Catholic University of America.

In collegiate gymnastics, an immediate star, achieving the rank of top female gymnast in the Washington, DC Metro Area (thanks to diligent coaching from Jone Dowd). First woman sports editor of her college newspaper (her best friend, Patti Mengers, now an award-winning journalist, believed in her writing ability more than she did). Inducted into the honorary fraternity for journalists and earned a national award for journalism for breaking the news on the "look and feel" of Washington, DC's new sports arena.

After college (at The Catholic University of America), Karinch managed a theatre, then became a fund-raiser. "After that, I decided to start my own business," she said. "I turned 30 and wanted to be independent," so she launched a public relations career.

Lebanon Daily News

Began publishing articles. Set a goal of writing a book (thank you, Anthony Robbins). First book was inspired by the extraordinary stories of U.S. Army personnel who served at the evacuation hospital in Somalia.

Lots of awards in bodybuilding, competing in events sponsored by the National Physique Committee (NPC). Did well in powerlifting with the American Drug Free Powerlifting Association (Go Wagners!).

One of the few women on one of the teams that actually completed the first Eco-Challange in Southern Utah (Jim Newman, team captain, had faith). Earned and maintains certification as a personal trainer from the American Council of Exercise (ACE).

More books, more extraordinary people. Living happily in the Rocky Mountains with one of the most extraordinary, Jim McCormick. (www.takerisks.com).

In December 2003, launched The Rudy Agency (Mom's maiden name is Rudy) to serve other writers with passion for their message (www.rudyagency.com).

"Stretch your imagination about what's possible!"

Maryann Karinch
Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur