About Me - Leanne Fulton (Avery)

I am a 39 year old mother of two little boys aged 7 and 9 (well maybe not so little anymore). I am blessed to be surrounded by the most amazing network of friends and family a girl could ever wish for.

What an amazing journey I have had so far - in 39 years I feel I have seen so much - experienced a lifetime - but still with so much to learn!

From the Beginning:

As a young girl I was always heavily involved in all sorts of sports. From Little Athletics from the age of 5, then into netball, softball, touch football just to name a few.  This I continued unti I was around 18 years of age - then everything just got a bit too busy. Between work and social life I just didnt make time for it anymore.

By the time I was lucky enough to have my gorgeous boys - I was in a destructive part of my life, and lost all self confidence. I went fro a healthy and happy 65+ kilos to well over 85 kilos, unhappy and disconnected. My weight, my confidence and my direction fluctuated so much over the coming years I truly felt that I had lost my direction and where I was going.

I think the before and after photos below say it all...

In 2008 I had a major upheaval in my life and reconnected with my high school sweetheart - Rob. We had always been close friends but finding each other again was a wish come true. In 2010 we made a conscious decision to change our normal lifestyle to one of that of health – giving up smoking and starting a new gym routine.

It was at this point Rob started mentioning body building and the different competitions he had heard about. In April 2010 we joined our local gym.

After training for a few short weeks I had decided to train to enter my first competition in September 2010 – the INBA Titles as a Novice Figure Competitor. What an amazing experience and the start of a very fulfilling journey.

I then competed in the IFBB Qld Titles on the Sushine Coast in October 2010 and then at  Fit-X in Melbourne in March 2011. As they say – caught the bug! The support network I have found from not only the amazing friends and family around me but other competitors in the sport is second to none.

I feel truly blessed to have travelled the road I have travelled - to end up on the Sunshine Coast and joining in with a sport that is so invigorating and inspiring.

Through my journey I decided to launch the Inspirational Bodies profile site - initially under the website www.leannekavery.com  I wanted to share with everyone the amazing stories and inspirational people that I had met along the way. The goal was to be able to inspire one more person to get off their butt and know that if I could do it then any one could..... just check out some of the stories!!!! This would be one of the things I am most proud of - the site is dedicated to inspiring others - telling their stories - sharing their journeys.... and unlike other sites I do it completely free of charge, in my own time and make absolutely no money from anyonein doing so. I do it because I love what I do, I do it because no one else is doing it, and I do it ultimately to make a difference in someones life.

Within only the first 4 months of launching the site grew so big I had to move it to its own dedicated server just to handle the traffic and enquiries coming through it. I then decided to split it again and have part of the site such as the Social Network, Forum and Online shop remain on www.leannekavery.com but move all of the profiles to www.inspirationalbodies.com

My number one goal is to make my site the strongest and most influential site in this sport. I want to profile the best of the best - but I also want to profile anyone and everyone that has a story to tell - a journey they have been on - and has something to share.

Achievements

IFBB Fit-X Competition - 6th Figure Novice

IFBB QLD State Titles 2010: 4th in Figure Novice

INBA QLD Natural Physique Titles 2010
My very first competition
6^th in Figure International
4^th Place in Novice Figure Tall.

Most Memorable

My most memorable moment in the sport would absolutely have to be coming off stage after being placed 4^th in my division and seeing the face (and tears) in Robs eyes. Then to top it off have some of my dearest friends and my amazing parents make the trip to watch my debut into the body building arena. Nothing could top that – to see how proud everyone was… WOW

It's hard to believe it can get better than this.

Well it did - I found the most inspiring and amazing trainer in Kelli Johnson. Not only is Kel an amazing trainer but also a Pro Figure Athlete... there is nothing better than training with one of the best - to know that she has actually walked the walk and got up on stage herself - knowing exactly what each of her girls is going through. There are so many 'trainers' that have never experienced what it is like to get up on stage - to go through the intense diet - the emotions - I am truly blessed to have someone like Kel as not only my trainer but an awesome friend.

Combine Kels experience with the motivation and inspiration from Rob and the amazing friends in this industry - then I just cant go wrong!!!

My most memorable event outside of the sport recently would have to be the marraige to my life long soul partner Rob. His continuous love, support and belief in me makes every day brighter than before! Not only have I been blessed with the best life partner ever - I have also the most admirable Step-father for my two boys.

Why do I love this industry?

I have never been involved in any sport that has the level of support and encouragement from all likeminded wonderful people. The other competitors, their drive, their dedication and determination is purely inspirational.

I also love the boost it gives to me internally – both in strength and confidence. To walk off that stage at age 39 looking the best and strongest I have ever looked in my life is truly empowering. I have a long way to go but I am now focused on the right path – and know in my heart of heart I can achieve what I set my mind to.

Goals/Aspirations

My number one goal is to make my site the strongest and most influential site in this sport. I want to profile the best of the best - but I also want to profile anyone and everyone that has a story to tell - a journey they have been on - and has something to share.

It's not all about winning a bucket of protein powder and plastic trophy - it's about the journey - the experience - and the self improvement we all make when we walk the walk. Whether they have done 1 show or 100 - anyone who takes on this ride is in it for themselves - its dedication - devotion - sacrifice - and satisfaction.

Anyone can have a personal tragedy, anyone can be diagnosed with a debilitating disease, lose someone close to them, or have a hard life - ultimately it comes down to SO WHAT!!!! The important this is the WHAT!!!  What are YOU going to do about it, what are you going to change to be the best you that you can be, what are you going to do to make your story different to others!

I take my hat off to each and everyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and be proud of who they are - but also to those who havent that have achieved their own level of greatness!

I may never take out the Overall Titles - I may not even win my division - but the journey I am on I am proud of - I am blessed to have met the amazing people I have met - and I am going to use their stories to inspire me each and every day!!!

My plans ultimately include having Inspirational Bodies clothing line of some sort - so no matter where people are training or working out - then they can also inspire others simply by what their profile says....

I have an amazing career with Matrix Australia - the best job I have ever had. I am surrounded by the most beautiful group of women in our team - who inspire me each and every day!

Finally I have massive plans over the next 12 months. At this point of time I can devulge too much information but just  say watch this space.