Stephanie Reed

Before boarding a plane with family, I purchased my very first Oxygen magazine – something to keep me occupied on the trip. I had always had a keen interest in exercise but had little knowledge and education about anything more than circuit training and a treadmill.

Flicking through the pages of this particular edition of Oxygen, I was inspired by pages and pages of women with toned, strong and healthy looking physiques.

Determined to achieve anything close to the amazing bodies I had seen, I looked into getting a personal trainer.

It was she that taught me proper lifting technique, assisted me with nutrition advice and most importantly, taught me accountability.

She was the one person at this point in time who had acknowledged my true desire to achieve a physique like the ones I had admired.

I trained with her for several months and slowly watched the changes in the shape of my body. Knowing full well I would become completely hooked with bodybuilding, she took me to my very first show in September of 2010.

This is what did it for me! I sat in awe watching the figure girls on stage.

I was truly amazed and had never seen anything like it before.

From that moment, I was determined to give it a shot!

13 months later, with the close guidance of team Next Level, I competed in my first show taking first place in the WFF Miss Athletic Class 2 for 2011.

I am still so very new to the bodybuilding world but from the little experience I have had so far it has been the most rewarding journey of all.

It has already taught me a lot about myself and has given me the opportunity to learn valuable lessons, such as: persistence; determination and commitment, which I can apply in every other aspect of my life.

Since competing, I have made it a priority to surround myself with people who have a supportive and positive nature. I think this is so important - not only in competition preparation but in life in general.

I have many experienced, dedicated and knowledgeable people around me and from them I continue to learn things that I can take on board in pursuing my fitness goals.

I will always have room for improvement and I certainly have a long way to go to get to where I hope to be, but until then, I am a working progress and aim to make positive changes each day.

If there was one thing I could say to anyone thinking of competing , or taking steps towards a healthier way of being, I’d say – DO IT!

Because you really can achieve anything you put your mind to! J