My adrenaline began to rush. I could feel the heat from the bright lights on my skin. I could hear the crowd cheering. My coach, friends and family were yelling my competitor number, 244. My smile was radiating from ear to ear. My red lipstick was gleaming and my red bikini was dazzling. As I took my first few steps across the stage I felt like I was right where I was meant to be. I felt so beautiful. I felt so alive. Being a bikini competitor was merely an item on my bucket list, but the moment I stepped on stage I knew I would be competing for years to come.
I began playing sports shortly after I started walking. Growing up, my parents strongly encouraged me to stay active and make healthy decisions. In high school I played softball, and ran cross country and indoor track. I was not skinny by any means, but had a healthy, athletic build. After leaving home (Columbia, MD) and moving away for college at East Carolina University (Greenville, NC), I began putting on weight. I was making poor decisions in the kitchen and rarely working out. Finally, I became frustrated with what I was seeing in the mirror. I decided it was time to work on some things. It was time to change my bad habits into good habits. I began researching healthy eating and shortly after that I was experimenting with different recipes. I taught myself how to cook and I was truly enjoying the dishes I was making. I found a basic weight lifting program online and began weight training and doing cardio.
While researching fitness online a number of women with beautiful physiques caught my eye. They were bikini competitors. You are probably thinking of bikini contestants at a pool party or a bar. Those are not the bikini competitors I am speaking of. The category “bikini” is judged on hair, make up, posing and grace, muscle tone and leanness. I began to follow multiple bikini competitors online. Their stories and regimens fascinated me. They were so dedicated and committed to making themselves better and hoped to inspire others. I wanted to do what those women were doing. Finally, in December of 2014 I committed to my first bikini competition.
I began the preparation for this competition in February of 2015. I began prepping my meals twice a week. I prepped for five meals a day. I also continued my weight training and began doing cardio a few times a week. I started working with a coach. About eight weeks into training with my first coach I decided to go another route. I met my next (and current) coach, Michael DeStefano, through a friend of mine who also competes. Soon after working with my new coach he increased my carb intake and decreased the amount of cardio I was doing. After working with him for just eight weeks my body flipped. Not only did he help me with my diet and training, he also helped me with my confidence. I had no idea how competitive I could be on stage. He had high hopes for me and continuously encouraged me. He saw how strong I was physically, but also mentally. He helped me recognize my strength and my potential.
At this first bikini competition I brought home first place in “open” and also first place in “novice”. I was in shock. It was one of the best days of my life. Being on stage is one of the most exhilarating feelings I have experienced. The adrenaline rush I had after getting off stage was even stronger than the rush I felt when I stepped on stage. I went on to compete again, four weeks after my first show. I also brought home hardware from that competition. After my first two shows, I started a power lifting style training program and I increased my food intake. Soon after, I decided it was time for me to transition from bikini to figure. Figure competitors are typically leaner and more muscular than bikini competitors.
In a little over two months I make my figure debut. Also, three weeks after my figure debut I plan to compete in my first power lifting meet. I am truly looking forward to what the future holds for me in figure, as well as powerlifting. As I look back and reflect on my journey I recognize how my goals have changed. At the beginning of my journey my goals were purely appearance based. I wanted to lose weight and feel happier about what I saw in the mirror. Currently, my goals are based on physical and mental strength. Lifting heavy and sticking to a meal plan requires discipline, focus and mental strength. If you tell yourself that you are incapable of doing either, you will fail, but if you have confidence and great fortitude you will be successful in everything you do.
After learning an abundance about nutrition, weight training and the human body in general, I decided I wanted to coach women. I am currently helping bikini competitors with their competition preparations. I am really enjoying this new experience. Watching other women transform and become physically and mentally stronger is empowering and motivating. I can relate to these women because I am also in preparation for a competition. I know what they are experiencing and I am available to support them at all times. I hope to turn my passion into a career.
For all women new to weight training: Do not be afraid of the weight room. Do not be afraid to have muscles. Do not let anyone tell you that women should not lift weights or that lifting weights makes you look manly. Do not become obsessed with the number on the scale. It is just a number. Take progress pictures and let the changes in the mirror do the talking. Keep your head up and act like you own the gym, even if you do not know your way around yet. Everyone starts somewhere. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Be proud of who you are and the work you put in. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are powerful.
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