CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE July/August 2020 | Page 43

Jeni Briscoe
competitors but a sold out theater! Our little
town embraced the sport and we have never
looked back. Every year the numbers grew and
grew and we kept selling out the show.
I've worn many hats over the years. I sat on
the executive of the last organization, judged,
coached, even hosted the Canadian Nationals
with my friend Tamara Knight. We had earned
the bid to do it a 2nd year when the CPA was
formed. We both decided it was better for the
athletes and the sport to switch and be a part
of the
Canadian Physique Alliance. Athletes could
still move on and earn the all important IFBB
Pro Card and have a path to grace the Olympia
stage. All the added shows, qualifiers and
opportunities for Canadian athletes to compete
just made sense. It was a great move.
I started going to the gym in high school. My
main reason was to take the aerobics classes
and stay fit. As I got going I did notice some
of the women lifting and even a few getting
ready for a show. I started to buy muscle mags,
lifting with the power lifters at the gym and
the rest is history. In 2000 after watching a few
bodybuilding shows in Prince George, I decided
to enter one. Heavy weight bodybuilding,
placed 3rd and continued on to nationals that
year. Even though I was way too small, I enjoyed
the whole process of it all. I'm still friends with
people Ive met back then at those first shows!
In 2003, they introduced figure and I decided to
get back on stage. Winning the tall class at the
Provincials that year and eventually earning my
pro card in 2007. I've been competing in the pro
ranks ever since.
I was living in northern BC and had no options left
for shows anywhere near us PG was cancelled.
I inquired about hosting our first show in 2001
in Fort St. John and was approved to help grow
the sport in the north. Our first show had 17
I think being involved with all aspects of the
sport has helped my team and I organize very
well run shows, from backstage efficiency,
professionalism, and of course prizes and
trophies. I've been to many shows, even winning
my pro card and not earned anything but a little
trophy. I know how great it feels to win prizes
and make the wins even more special. Athletes
work hard to hit the stage, they should get a
little something extra. Plus my core team of
volunteers have been with me for most of the
years and they are like a well oiled machine.
They look after the athletes, keep everyone on
time and ready to hit the stage! The feel is very
good backstage of the Northern Classic Shows.
Last year we branched out into our 2nd location.
Grand Prairie Alta. So we now host two shows.
The Fort St John Northern Classic Naturals and
the Grand Prairie Northern Classic Open. I enjoy
hosting shows and hope to continue for many,
many years to come! This year we moved the
GP show to Oct 24, 2020. Hopefully by
October we can host the show and keep
everyone involved healthy and safe.
2021 will be my 20th year of hosting shows and
I'm super proud of that and all that we have
accomplished over that time. Can't wait to
celebrate our 20th anniversary!!
Huge thanks to the CPA, the judges, stats
people, photographers, tanners, hair/makeup
people, volunteers and of course the athletes!