Joe-Anne Cowin - Figure Pro Competitor

Manx natural bodybuilder and hairdresser Joe Anne Cowin, 36, has just returned to the Island to train for the World Body Building Federation Championships in Toronto in September. Here the former Ballakermeen pupil explains how she got into the sport and why her health is so important to her.

For the past 18 years health and fitness has been the centrepiece of my life. And I have been lucky enough to develop my knowledge and understanding of exercise to help bring out the best in others. I have always been very active in taking care of myself and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and started teaching aerobics classes at the Nautilus gym when it was based in Strand Street.

It was at this time that I also became involved in personal training and started seeing the unbelievable benefits that weight-training and relevant nutrition offered women. I was hooked from the word go. But unfortunately I had suffered from a weak kidney since childhood and became very ill, which completely shelved my training for months. In 1998, when I was just 24, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Just eight weeks later I had the kidney removed.

I was utterly devastated as so much effort in the gym had wasted away and I was at my weakest. The surgeon wanted me to stay in hospital for a fortnight but after a few days I headed back home to my family where I knew I’d heal quicker. The doctors told me it would be four months before I could work fulltime again and even longer before I could get back to the gym. I was so down at the thought of this but had total respect for their opinion and completely understood what they were saying.

Over time I just allowed my body to heal naturally and during the coming months I gradually introduced light exercise back into my life. I listened to my body when it was tired, but also made sure I was eating the right foods to make my recovery quicker. But, of course, at times I treated myself as my sweet tooth is always chatting to me!

Two months later I was in Oxford opening the new flagship hair salon for Lawrence Anthony. This would be the start of an amazing career as a hair stylist for me, which is still my profession 12 years on, and something I absolutely love.

To this day I truly believe without my healthy living I would have lost my kidney at a much younger age, and my recovery would have been a lot slower if I had chosen bad nutrition over the years. My point is, choosing to lead a truly healthy lifestyle has advantages far beyond merely cosmetics - it’s not just saying ‘No’ to bad (but often very tasty) things or what you weigh on the scales - but about being healthy within.

I began my journey as a fitness pro and model almost two years ago after finally listening to my fellow pro-natural bodybuilders in my gym while living in Grand Cayman and decided to take my fitness level to the next stage. I never thought I would step on stage in front of hundreds of people... let alone in a very tiny bikini! For years I admired the pros in my gym and their dedication, but then I’d always shy away when they mentioned I had the potential. Me on stage? Never!

But soon something clicked and I realised I didn’t want to look back and say I never did it because I was frightened, and I quickly overcame my stage fright.

I started training for my first show in January 2008, four months before the big day. It was great to feel my body absorbing all the good nutrition even though it was very hard at first to be allowed to eat so much!

I ate every two hours to keep my metabolism high but it felt stange to be able to eat so many carbs. For years I’d eaten healthily but just not enough...women do have a fear of carbs after all.

But I soon learnt that without carbs I wouldn’t have the energy to train and my body would only use other sources to fuel off, such as protein - I need to build my muscles, not starve them. My trainer would even send me home on the days I hadn’t eaten enough carbs as he could tell that my muscles had a ‘flat’ look about them.

In preparation for the show I spent four hours a day training starting with cardio and abdominal training at 4.30am. I’d then head home, shower, start work at 7.30am, finish at 4.45pm before meeting with my trainer and working out from 5pm till 7pm. After that I’d go home and prepare all my meals for the following day. Many times I asked myself ‘why am I doing this?’ But I kept hearing that inner-voice saying ‘come on, you can do this!’.

The actual process of posing on stage was the hardest part. I invested in a figure coach who taught me how to be graceful and confident on stage and how to overcome nerves.

Figure competitions are part of bodybuilding shows. We represent a healthy body without being too muscular and must have outstanding feminine lines, a great presence on stage, good hair and make-up, and of course the expensive crystal bikini! So, before I knew it Universe Caribbean Championships had arrived and I was delighted to come second in my class of eight girls. My dad flew to Cayman especially to watch and was really proud of what I accomplished.

I soon set my sights on the INBF World Championships in New York City in November 2008.

Another hard 16 weeks of training went by and I stepped on stage with the biggest smile on my face knowing that, whatever the outcome, I had achieved my goal.

The stage fright was there but I had control, and felt blessed that I had found the courage to overcome my fear.

I won first place in the Figure Tall category before claiming First Overall and winning my pro card in the sport. There were 30 girls from all over the world so let’s just say the shock on my face and my dad flying the Manx flag even shed a tear. And so the story continues to this day. I believe that with a healthy body and mind you can achieve anything.

Figure competitions aren’t for everyone and it is the extreme end of fitness - but a healthy lifestyle and nutrition is what every woman deserves, it’s just up to you to start believing in yourself and setting your own goals.

Decide what you want.Believe you can have it.
Believe you deserve it and believe its possible!!

WNBF Figure Pro Competitor

Fitness and Body Model

Health and Fitness Writer

Personal Trainer

Style Director (Hair and Makeup)

SRH Certified

Fitness and Nutrition Writer

I have one kidney!!

Make sure you check out the FB Profile : http://www.facebook.com/Jojocowin

I am now in training for my next show at the WBFF World Championships in Toronto 24/25th August...cannot wait to be part of the WBFF!!