By Carol Courtney Anglin

Story of Faith, Hope and Charity!

Cindy “Rodeo” Steedle is best known for her starring roles in VH1’s, Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, I love Money, and Charm School with Sharon Osborne where she charmed her viewers with her winning personality, charisma, and hearty laugh. Others may know Cindy the Personal Trainer, Fitness Model and International Spokeswomen for fitness companies; however, when looking deeper one would also find Cindy, the activist; a person who uses her notoriety to bring change to peoples’ lives and knowledge to causes very close to her heart.

When I interviewed Cindy, she was excited about her new venture.  “I have a business relationship with Nutrition House Lifestyle Store and would like everyone to look out for Rodeo’s Cross Fit Circuit Training Studio, that’s currently in discussion to open in 2011. “The in-house store will carry Rodeo’s Signature Series Nutrition Spa Products, as well as my Fitness attire. I am really excited about these projects.”

With Cindy’s strong, confident attitude and body, one would believe her life was always filled with excellent health and happiness; so when she began to tell me of the tragic life she lived originating from a broken home, I was curious to find out more. “I had a sad, lonely childhood.  My parents divorced when I was six years old and I witnessed a lot as a child growing up”. She managed to stay positive and rise above her situation only to face death on numerous occasions. 
“While training with the Jr. Olympics I dove off a platform and landed wrong, causing me to be confined to a wheelchair while my feet were reconstructed. I had zero feeling in my feet.  I had to learn how to walk again”. A few years later she was diagnosed with cancer.  “I thought I was dying and now facing this, I wondered whether I was being punished in some way.  I had experienced a loss of a child, and was trying to hold on to a marriage that sadly ended.  I became so depressed.” One day as Cindy looked in the mirror, gazing at a reflection that was 75 pounds overweight, she realized it was time she made a change. 

Cindy struggled through many years as she got back on her feet, but never gave up.  “When one door closed another one seemed to just miraculously open. I had to keep going for my son. When I looked into his big blue eyes, I knew I did not have any other choice”. She landed in Hollywood and became known for being the classiest lady with her cowgirl hat.  She appeared on multiple VH1 Series; from the VH1 Rock of Love Reality Shows with Bret Michaels and Rock of Love Reality Stars.  She was also featured on VH1’s hit show and first release I Love Money, and then was chosen to work closely with Sharon Osbourne on VH1’s Sharon Osbourne’s, Charm School hit show. Rodeo, Sharon Osbourne and Bret Michaels still remain very close today. Rodeo was also featured on VH1’s Rock of Love Girl’s 2010, Where are they Now? She still appears in many magazine ads with her positive smile, but as an actress she still struggles.

“People think because you are on television, billboards and in magazines that you’re making a lot of money, but that is far from the truth.  However, eventually all those free ads finally have paid off.” It was the magazine ads that got her on TV and began her journey to stardom straight to Hollywood from the Arnold Schwarzenegger IFBB PRO Classic 2007.

The whole time, while standing on the stage competing in the Arnold Classic for the first time ever Arnolds NPC Figure Competitor Competition and looking out at over 25,000 people Rodeo thought, even though she did not take the first place trophy in her class home “It’s okay, I’m going to Hollywood.”  She said, “WOW!  Arnold shook her hand and said Ms. Cindy, we all know you as RODEO and soon the world will too. ” Arnold stated “I personally know that you’re making a difference in lives around the world and “YOU ARE A PRO!  Do not think anything different.” So Cindy walked off stage, and 51 Minds Entertainment along with VH1 Network flew her straight to Hollywood.

Today Cindy has her focus back and has surpassed where she left off back then. Cindy mentioned how she got to the Arnold Classic. She couldn’t have done it without the help of her personal trainer IFBB PRO BODY BUILDER Rashid “Rocc” Shabazz and his wife Gina Shabazz at Fitness Pro Wellness Center, LLC located in Roswell, GA. In 2005, she started out with her first personal trainers, Ronald “Roc” Jones and Chris Trice located in Georgia. They helped her take first place in Body Building competitions.  It was then that Cindy chose to further her career and be a NPC Fitness Figure Competitor.  Today Cindy has gone from a size 16 to a size 6. She’s now thinking about going back on stage to compete in the NPC while traveling nationally as a motivational speaker; better health through better nutrition and exercise. “As a certified personal trainer, I have in-depth knowledge on fitness and nutrition. I want people to know that they do not have to be picture thin to be healthy. If you eat a healthy with high protein and include a fast pace cardio walk on a daily basis, you can still have a lean body. It’s all about eating properly”. 

Cindy says her heart is in the right place. She has learned from suffering not to take anything, not even being able to take an ordinary walk, for granted and she continues to help people whenever she can. She visits and gives back to the United States Troops on an ongoing basis. Cindy visited the Walter Reed Medical Center in 2007 and 2008 and she’ll be traveling soon with the USO handshake tours. She dedicated to holding fundraisers. The proceeds go to helping the Breast Cancer Foundation, as well as, working with other organizations like the, Save the Horses (savethehorses.org).  Animals at, Save the Horses Foundation, are saved from being slaughtered.  Cindy works with many Foundations. “I would like my son to carry on with my legacy of helping and caring for people and animals. I want to be his role model in that sense. I want him to carry on when I’m no longer here.”

What we can expect to see in the future? “I am working on my first ever calendar Rodeo – Fit Diva Over 40yr; for 2012 and 2013 the calendar will include the most gorgeous fit women; all over the age of 40. I want people to know that you can be fit at any age. I also have a TV series I host coming out on a major network called SICK SPEED TV, produced by Jeff Beal Hardline Productions, LLC and Elan Brooks with Sentry Studios. It’s a fun lifestyle entertainment show based on motor sports and luxury automobiles.” She spoke heart to heart about the ongoing production of “The Voice Within” her own signature television show, where people can be inspired by stories of hope, facing their personal fears, visions and dreams. She clearly wants people to get the message that success lies within reach through peace and happiness. This idea came to her back in November 2010 while sitting in church with her Entertainment Talent Manager who, she’s partnered up with at Hardline Productions, LLC. Together they are in the process of building her staff in order to bring her show to life. She’s said “My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all who has helped me grow into an inspirational role model. Not long ago I placed my heart in God’s hands; and I believe that people can have and hope for anything, no matter what things may look like at present, if they just keep moving and don’t look back”. 

You can book Rodeo and get more information by going to www.CindyRodeo.comhttp://www.thevoiceshow.tv/index.html. Follow Cindy on Twitter at @CindyRodeo and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CindyRodeofans , www.DreamItMakeIt.com