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MELINA PERRON ,
BODYBUILDING
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CARMEN TOCHENIUK ,
PHYSIQUE
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While many IFBB pros develop their ability to step on stage from a foundation in athletics , Melina Perron took quite a different path . In fact , she was once obese , weighing 285 pounds on a 5 foot 2 frame and working from home as a freelance photographer . Her involvement in bodybuilding began in 2009 , when she saw an advertisement for a sales position at a fitness club . “ One of the members noticed my build and said I had the type to be a bodybuilder . We started training together and he put me on a diet ,” says Melina . Through one of the most incredible transformations you ’ ll find anywhere , she lost fat , gained muscle , and became a Canadian Women ’ s Bodybuilding champion . A native of Saskatoon who now lives in Langley , British Columbia , Melina is a fourtime Canadian Bodybuilding champion .
Melina takes great pleasure in helping others achieve their own weightloss goals , and she ’ s known for her light-hearted attitude : “ I ’ m the new health care system ; I ’ m cheaper ,” she says . She specializes in one-on-one consulting . More information can be found on her Instagram page @ melleekat .
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MINDI O ’ BRIEN ,
PHYSIQUE
There are few names in women ’ s fitness as recognizable as Mindi O ’ Brien . Her list of accolades represents an extraordinary competition career , in addition to her being one of the most legendary coaches in the business . Did we mention she is the namesake for one of the most prestigious women ’ s fitness competitions in Canada ?
Mindi is not just an IFBB pro , either ; she was the very first Canadian IFBB Pro Fitness Champion . She has competed in the Ms . Olympia competition an astounding 11 times and in the Arnold Classic nine times . Mindi is not only a Canadian National fitness champion from 2004 ( with unanimous first-place scores ), but also a two-time North American fitness champion . She was awarded the 2006 IFBB Overall Best Fitness Competitor GeneX Award and more recently the 2016 Olympia Image Award .
Mindi is one of the most successful trainers in Canada , operating her fabled Team O ’ Brien Fitness for athletes who have reached exceptional heights in competition . She has graced the cover of numerous fitness magazines and is frequently an emcee and guest promoter at fitness events . She is also the promoter of the “ Mindi O Show ,” an OPA provincial qualifier held in Niagara Falls , whose website is mindioshow . com . Mindi is a BPI Sports sponsored athlete .
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Known as “ The DNA Diva ,” Edmonton ’ s Carmen Tocheniuk is both an IFBB pro and three-time Canadian Bodybuilding / Physique champion . Growing up , Carmen had a particular affinity for competitive figure skating . Her entrance to fitness came after a devastating life event , when she was in a horrific car accident as a teenager that left her with a broken back . She suffered an entire year in a body brace . She then discovered Karmalife DNA testing ( karmalife . ca ) in 2005 and used it to support her competition career . Recently , Carmen competed in San Diego in the IFBB Ultimate Warriors Pro Women ’ s Physique competition , where she finished sixth out of an expansive field of 20 competitors , with equally high marks for both judging and finals .
Carmen is a highly soughtafter personal trainer who , in 2006 , was one of the first in the world to regularly implement DNA testing with her clients . She is a foremost international expert on developing custom diet and fitness plans for clients , based on their unique DNA profile . Carmen represents BioX Performance Nutrition supplements and can be found online at her Instagram page @ karmalife _ dnadiva .
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MARIA SHARP ,
FIGURE
Maria Sharp has an unmatched track record in Figure as the seven-time Canadian champion . The origins of her foray into fitness are truly a family affair , as she was inspired to begin training for competition by her sister . Maria was having her kids at the time , but she knew that , after they were born , she would take on the challenge . Maria is quick to share the credit for her enduring success with her trainer of many years , Darren Toma from Custom Built Training . She says that her genetic composition made her a more suitable fit for Physique rather than Figure , but Darren was able to “ beat her genetics ” and transform her every time she competed .
After 11 years of competition , Maria stepped on stage for the first time as a pro at the 2017 Toronto Pro SuperShow . She finished 16th in her Pro Figure debut there , but in just two months , she skyrocketed up the rankings and placed second at the IFBB Vancouver Pro contest . Maria is a sponsored athlete with Suit Lady and Drip Fit and an Absolute Touch athlete . Maria ’ s Instagram page can be found at @ mariasharp _ ifbbpro .
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