1: What first drew you to bodybuilding?
I'VE always liked bodybuilding. I grew up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger in films and been fascinated. I then discovered wrestling and was fascinated by the wrestler Chyna and wanted to look like her.
2: What’s your ‘why’? What keeps you pushing through hard preps and off-seasons?
With bodybuilding, I found where I fit in in life. It has helped me find who I am. Even when prep gets rough I absolutely adore it. The gym is where I can shut off and grind. I was told I would never be able to do it but I’m very stubborn when I’m told I can’t do something. I’m like “watch me”.
3: How would you describe your relationship with your body today?
I love the reflection in the mirror I see today and I'm proud of myself for who I have become. I've spent so many years lost hating who I am. I had an eating disorder for more than 10 years and I was very lost. Bodybuilding very much saved me.
4: Was there a turning point where you started to see yourself as an athlete, not just a gym-goer?
Probably around 2022. I wanted to be a competitive bodybuilder, so I put on my big girl pants, walked into my local bodybuilding gym and asked for help to achieve my dream.
5: What’s something people often misunderstand about you – or about bodybuilding in general?
As a female bodybuilder, you are very much judged and highly criticised for having muscle, which I deal with on a daily basis. Usually people are intimidated. We are really nice – even though we look scary sometimes.
6: How do you mentally handle show day nerves or physique comparisons?
I’m usually OK, but I tend to pace around when I get nervous energy before going on stage. It works for me!
7: What does your ideal off-season look like, mentally and physically?
Off-season I carry a few more kilos, which I’m comfortable with. It’s definitely something you have to get your head around after being shredded. I love the off-season look now, too.
8: What sacrifices have you had to make to chase this goal?
To commit to being the best you can be I have sacrificed social life, family events and even relationships. People who don’t understand the sheer amount of dedication and time I require to be in the gym have no place within my life. I have also removed negative people from my life and kept my circle small, because I want my dream and no one is bringing me down.
9: If you weren’t bodybuilding, where do you think your focus would be?
I would probably still be in the gym, I can’t stay away from it.
10: Is there a quote, book, or philosophy you live by – inside or outside of bodybuilding?
I probably have a couple:
Strength does not come from winning, your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender that is strength – Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Be humble and never think that you are better than anyone else. We all leave this world with nothing.
11: What’s the hardest thing you've ever overcome — in life or in sport?
I was anorexic, which switched to bulimia after losing my father to cancer. And I struggled with that for 10 years of my life. I went through eating disorder clinics and mental health counselling. I was almost hospitalised as I was a heart-attack risk and overcoming that was something I never thought I would do. At my worst I remember being sat in a restaurant on my mum's birthday crying my eyes out as there was no salad – “my safe food” – and I panicked beyond belief.
12: How do you unwind or reset when you’re not training or dieting?
I like to shut off and chill with music, I have a big passion for music.
13: How has bodybuilding changed your view of confidence, discipline, or self-worth?
It’s given me my life back, quite honestly. At 35 I can say I am truly happy with who I am and how I look and bodybuilding means everything to me. I feel blessed I am able to do what I do.
14: What is your current training split and why?
I lift six days a week on split body parts, plus fasted cardio, post workout and evening cardio. I do what my coach tells me and this year's improvement from last year is crazy.
15: Do you feel pressure to always look a certain way outside of prep?
No not at all I enjoy the off-season fluff and some well-deserved chocolate.
16: Have your relationships (friends, family, dating) changed because of your lifestyle?
My mum and friends understand my process and my best friend is a bodybuilder and my biggest support. I keep my circle very small. Relationship wise, I have been single for ages because men think they can cope with a bodybuilder until it gets real in show season and you are in the gym for hours and hours and get attention. I’m not willing to give up my passion for someone who can’t support my goals. The right person will come into your life and support that, so for now I am single.
17: Can you give us one of your favourite prep meals and one of your favourite off-season meals?
I’m simple, I really love my oats, blueberries and cinnamon in prep. Out of prep I love a good dirty burger and Ice cream.
18: What’s next for you — as an athlete, as a person, or both?
My goal is to try for my NPC/IFBB Pro Card. I went into bodybuilding with a goal to eventually get to Olympia.
19: Who inspires you, and why? Could be in bodybuilding or beyond.
My biggest inspiration is Chyna (WWE wrestler). She was this incredible Amazonian muscle woman and was completely different to everyone else. The minute I saw her I was like, "I want muscles like that". Ironically I’m now her official lookalike and it’s given me so many amazing opportunities.
20: If you could send one message to your younger self, what would it be?
You will be kicked down, hurt beyond belief, made to feel worthless but it’s because they see your light and try to dim it. Never stop being a good person and spend years doubting your self worth thinking you are worthless. Everything is going to be OK.
*ALL PICTURES BY ANTHONY CHIA-BRADLEY
