Casey Winsor

I have been drawn to body building since I was 16 years old.

I didn’t know a lot about it at that age, but I was mesmerized by the photos in the magazines, both the men and women who took pride in developing their bodies. I knew I wanted to be involved in that world.

I didn’t know how to get involved until I fell into a health and fitness career at age 19. When I left school I had my sights set on the Navy. I was to start as a medic and then move on to be a navel PTI.

Unfortunately after a 12 month process to enlist, I received a phone call from an Australian Naval Officer saying “I’m sorry to inform you Miss Winsor, from x-rays we requested of your lower back, we see that you are at risk of being a hindrance should there be an incidence of emergency”.

I switched off after the word “sorry”.

I had to ask him to tell my Mum everything as I was too upset to listen.

What was most annoying was that I knew I was strong enough. I have had back problems for as long as I can remember, but it has never stopped me from doing anything. I can’t, there is too much I want to do. I had been in such high level sport my whole life, doctors had always told me to keep my back strong and I had been doing exactly that for several years.

I KNEW I was strong enough, but it didn’t make a difference. I went onto plan B, which was personal training. During this time I met people who helped me learn more about body building.

I knew immediately that I wanted to make it a huge part of my life. It didn’t take long to build my PT clientele. I enjoyed putting energy into people, and my clients knew I cared.

I was training clients from 5.00am though until 9.00pm, and doing classes at local gyms.

Unfortunately, I was spending so much time and energy training other clients that it was having a negative influence on my own health and fitness. My goal of competing as a body builder and looking like the ladies in the magazine was becoming a distant memory.

After falling asleep at the wheel of my car on the way to one of my classes, I finally knew this was no longer what I wanted. I was completely burnt out. I could no longer give my clients the energy they deserved, so I decided to stop personal training all together.

I started to practice what I was preaching to others, “take care of yourself, it isn’t selfish, set yourself goals, it will make you a better person, you will feel and live a better life”.

For the next two years I trained with the goal of competing. I went to many body building shows, and contacted many people in the industry to learn what was required to compete.

 I watched the women on stage and worked out what division I wanted to aim for. Figure. The perfect balance of femininity, beauty and strength, the main goal, to present your body shape the best you can.

As I set about aiming for my body building dream, I started a degree in Construction Management. I also started a tiling apprenticeship, whilst studying several components of construction management part time, the rest of the time I worked on my body to achieve my goal to compete. I had a lot of knowledge when it came to exercise, but I knew I needed more specific guidance in the nutrition department.

I met a beautiful lady, Sonia Waller. Sonia set my first ever competition diet, I stuck to it as best I could, certainly not perfect, it was a lot harder then I thought. I ate chicken and rice cakes at smoko while the other workers ate hamburgers, pies and ice chocolates. I was never I bad eater, but the smell of all that food can drive you a little loopy.

My goal was set on 2008 INBA Brisbane.

I wasn’t aiming to win, I wasn’t even aiming to place. I knew this was just the beginning, but I wanted to look like I belonged. I achieved my goal, I looked like I belonged, and I was a figure competitor. The feeling of achieving my goal was incredible, and now I can proudly encourage people to listen to their own hearts and go after whatever it is they want. I am very lucky to have found where I know I belong. It’s not always easy, nothing will happen over night, but it will happen.

I have no special talents, I have had no major life altering experiences. I have no special story of how I got here. I am simply a person with the desire to achieve and the power to create the life I want. We are only restricted by the weaknesses in our mind and we all have the ability to change, if we choose to.

Now just two years and 7 shows later I have set more goals. I bring a better package to the stage each time. I continue to learn and endeavour to improve every day.

Contest History:

2011
INBA All Female Classic, Figure Open Tall – 1st
INBA All Female Classic, Figure International – 3rd
ANB Asia Pacific International, Tall Figure – 1st

2010
INBA All Female Classic, Figure Intermediate – 1st

2009
INBA Olympia, Miss Physique Open Class 2 - Competitor
INBA QLD, Figure Intermediate - 5th

2008
INBA Brisbane, Novice Figure Tall - 6th Future

Plans: I will continue to work on improving, build on my achievements and never stop aiming to be the best I can be.

My partner, Shayne Podbury, and I are continuing to expand our physiotherapy practices and will share our knowledge with others through a free website loaded with information to help educate and motivate those who want to achieve their health and fitness goals.

Website: www.caseywinsor.com

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