For 50-year-old Michele Tse, a personal motto
of “No limits!” has served her well for many
decades. With her sights set on a strong
placing at the 2014 Yorton Cup in Washington
D.C., Michele combined all her experience to
help guide her in search of her ultimate fitness
goal; an IFPA pro card. The IFPA is the larger
American affiliate to the NPAA and boasts the
highest calibre of natural athletes in the sport.
Her attendance at the Yorton Cup was not the only
milestone for Michele in 2014. Three days after the
Washington D.C. show, she turned an amazing 50 years
old! Quite an accomplishment for someone who only
entered her first fitness show in September 2011 in the
Novice ranks of the NPAA.
Michele has a tremendously varied athletic
background. She has competed in gymnastics, cross
country running, and also track & field. She began
weight training at the age of 19 and progressed into
competitive powerlifting in her early 20’s where she won
all three meets that she entered.
Life changed dramatically for Michele in 1987 when she
was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. The
resulting injuries ended her career as a diesel mechanic
and her ability to continue powerlifting during her 6
months of recovery physiotherapy. Medical officials told
Michele that the injuries to her neck would only return to
about 80% of her original condition.
Her fierce determination provided her the drive to regain
her strength and Michele believes the weight training
allowed her to improve her overall conditioning well
beyond her pre-accident fitness levels.
Years after completing a nutrition degree at the
University of Manitoba, Michele arrived in Calgary for
a quick trip. She immediately fell in love with the area
and resigned from her health care position to relocate to
Calgary to start the next chapter of her life. She began
consulting in a local fitness facility and completed her
personal training certification. Michele later enrolled
in a school of traditional Chinese medicine for about 3
years. It was there that Michele met her husband who
has been extremely supportive of her fitness journey and
goals.
Her preparation for the 2014 season introduced a new
balanced approach to her nutrition. She recognized
that participating as a natural fitness athlete means that
she never stops learning about her training or how to
properly fuel her body. Michele became part of Team
LEAN, based out of Hartford, Connecticut, working with
coach John Yobst, and has greatly enjoyed the online
team experience with her colleagues located in several
different cities.
During the fall of 2014, Michele competed in four
pro-level fitness shows in the United States.
• October 11th, 2014, IFPA Gaspari Nutrition Pro,
Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 4th place Figure
• October 25th, 2014, IFPA Yorton Cup Pro World
Championship, Washington, D.C., 7th place
Figure Short Class
• November 8th, 2014, WNBF Pro Masters
American/Monster Mash, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 2nd place Figure, cash prize
$500.00 USD
• November 15th, 2014, WNBF World
Championships, Boston, Massachusetts, 11th
place Figure Short Class
For Michele Tse, competing at a world-class level in
fitness shows