CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE FALL ISSUE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | Page 108

Juan: Hello Charlene! It is an absolute pleasure having you chat with myself today. Please tell us a
little bit about your background, your history with fitness, and what got you to begin preparing for
your first show.
Charlene: Ever since I was young I have been interested in bodybuilding magazines. I was intrigued by all
the muscle and was determined to pursue it for myself.  As a young teen, I was very active.  I participated in school
sports and many other individual exercise sessions.  I was quite driven to see how I could push my body to be all it
could be. I spent years competing in MOMAR races where we ran, biked, orienteered, and kayaked through
mountainous terrain.  I enjoyed mountain biking and 'doing stairs' - eventually with a little one on my back!  Not
much would keep me from pushing myself physically.
My journey with bodybuilding and training began in 2004 at Vancouver Island Fitness, my neighbourhood gym,
where I was encouraged to try my hand at an upcoming figure competition. I am grateful to my incredibly
supportive husband, Damian, and my amazing four boys who were just 4, 7, 9 and 11 years old when all this began. 
I went on to compete many times following that first experience and have enjoyed each one.  Two of my four boys
have also become passionate about bodybuilding and it has been a joy to train with them.  I now own my own gym
and take pride in supporting others in their fitness journey as a trainer.