Joy Anyanwu (IFPA Figure Pro)

This year has been a test of inner strength and intestinal fortitude.

I relocated away from family to start a Cardiac ICU Nursing Residency at the same time I thought it would a great ideal to try to train for a show.

My friend Dan Campos had alot of success with Layne Norton so I began to research him. Read his articles..view him on you tube for 2-3 months. I decided he was gonna help get my husky behind in shape.

I started my contest prep 24 weeks at 160.8 pounds 31 inch waist..41 in hip..thighs 26 inches..size 9

By August 27th 2012 I was 129.4 26.5 inch waist...32 hips..thighs 20.5..size zero..and a IFPA Figure Pro.

I attempted to Prep for my Pro Debut for Cape Cod Oct 8th 2011. While Prepping my Father had a stroke 9/9/2011 Friday around 11:30 am. This was a week I came down because my brother had a Pro MMA fight that Sat. I noticed my dad wasn't himself and he spoked to me his speech was slurred and didnt make any sense.. I gave him 3 baby aspirins and called 911. I told them he was having a stroke.

MRI revealed damaged to his left pons..he exhibited left sided weakness..he could no longer use the hand to eat or his leg to walk and his face had no muscle tone on the right exhibited right-sided droopness..this all happened before my brother Bellatore Debut in Ceasar's Palace AC.

By the way -  he won my TKO second round and still undefeated as Pro :)

We decided as a family we would not tell him till after his fight. I broke the news to my brother that Sunday when he came back and he was devasted and pissed. We didn't tell him.

Many times I wanted to give up..I didn't eat for days and when I would go the gym I felt guilty and would live and start crying in the car.. I only felt comfort when I was in the hospital with my dad...

Once he was transfered from the stroke unit the rehab..Things were a little bit better. We brought his on clothes and he could focus on recovery.. I know my dad his a fighter so he was impressing the PT,OT and speech therapy.

If he was asked to do 10 leg lifts he does 20..and then some on his own.. Once I saw my Dad fighting for his strength I decided I couldn't give up.

.If my dad can fight to recover I can fight to set out what I said I would do..my dad never quit and so I didn't.

My Dad's sister passed 9/23/2011 we told my father 9/28/2011 2 days after he was discharged from home. I was thinking to myself what else is gonna happen now.. Anyways I sent in my application so I knew I had to do it an continue to train.

During peak week I was sick and got my period and I was not a happy camper talked with my coach Layne about it calmed me down of course...That week I was down..I was sick..and I had no energy uggh. By that Wed I felt like a million bucks agin but only had 2-3 days right to get my head back in the game.

Couple of friends decided last minute they weren't gonna do the show.. Because they didn't feel ready and some were sick this change of weather got alot people..

Anyways my dad wrote his alphabet the day before I left to go to Cape Cod that was the biggest inspiration ever... I competed in my second Figure Show as a PRO how awesome is that... with 14 amazing atheltes. I set out to compete and I did..I placed 12/14.. Judges that I have heard from thus far say conditioning that's it "be tighter"..

Presentation.makeup..muscularity and shape is there so thats good...! But, guess what I bet you all the money in your wallet....I will Qualify for Nationals and will compete in the Yorton Cup in 2012..I betcha..!

I am writing this to inspire...if you believe you can acheive no matter what is going on in your life..If something is important enough to you..you will do it..

Use the things, places and people to pull postive reinforcement in your life like I DID!.

.I AM PROUD OF MY FATHER! HIS A STROKE SURVIVOR! His my INSPIRATION!