Shaz Simpson

MY STORY

I’m a true blue Aussie born and bred and have always liked to look and live life a little differently to the average person, hence the tattoos and my love of Body Building (BB) it’s certainly not for everyone; but it’s the sport and life style for me.

My love of body building started when I was in my early teens and I bought a book on women’s bodybuilding containing all the legendary greats of BB like the beautiful Cory Everson and strong and solid Bev Francis.

I had my first child at the young age of 15, after a couple of years I decided I needed to shed some of the baby weight and joined a gym mainly concentrating on aerobics and not long after moved down south and became a qualified fitness instructor.

Teaching class’s and working part time in a gym I decided to take up lifting weights and instantly loved it and entered my first BB comp the Country titles in Rockhampton.

Money in the fitness industry not being that great I started to look else were for work and found Nail’s, hair and beauty to be an interest and so I bought my first salon in 1992 still keeping up my training and teaching class’s. Two years later, a business, a 12 year old daughter and a one year old son I decided to enter my second BB comp the IFBB Qld at the Gold Coast.

I travelled to the Gold coast to compete in the Physique category but ended up in Figure, which was then called (sculpting); as I lacked the size required for BB. Due to commitments to my family and work BB was too much, I made a decision to put it on hold with the promise that when my children were older and my work was more flexible I would return to competition.

I continued to train over the years always doing something to keep myself fit and healthy in the mean time . I divorced and found a new challenge in a relationship which took me down the road of domestic violence with a drug addict. Big lessons learnt but no regrets, with counselling, owning my own business and my kids I picked myself up and moved on.

Three years down the track I met a wonderful man half…Yes half my age who pursued me with “No Thanks” not an option.

I then sold my salon but still work for myself as a Hairdresser, Nail Technician, Beautician and Personal trainer. I also enjoy encouraging people to understand the importance of fitness for all walks of life for a feeling of well being, healthy mind, body and soul. I do this by offering free information talks to varied groups in my community.

Now both my children had grown up and I was working part time I decided it was time to honour my promise and return to competing after 12 years of putting my dreams on hold, I never lost sight of what I wanted to accomplish. 2011 would have to have been one of the most EPIC years of my life.

With the slump in economy and my current husband (The man of my dreams) his work in the building industry suffered very badly in the town we live in. We fell behind with our house payments and eventually admitted defeat and handed it back to the bank and declared bankruptcy.

In between all of this happening I pushed on with my training and with the support of family and the community, we raised enough money for me to travel (my first time O/S) to Brazil for the Nabba Worlds the highlight of my BB career. This was very stressful for me as it was at the time when the volcanic ash struck and all flights back to Oz were suspended.

I got stranded in Argentina for 5 days and only through the kindness of a wonderful friend who saw my plight on Facebook and bought me a new ticket to return home safely. WOW! Did I learn some lessons about O/S travel (travel insurance is a must).

The highlight for me in 2011 would have to be my wedding day, I married the man of my dreams on October the 29th with me arriving on the back of a Harley in my dress and ending up at the local nightclub to finish off a wonderful day. That same month I was invited to compete in a breast cancer fundraiser ”The Lady OM” in Camerino Italy, which was a huge honour; only twelve female BB’s from around the world competed for such a great cause.

It was such an honour to be asked, I’ll be there for the next one for sure.

I have never let obstacles stop me from achieving my goals and I believe they are set there for us to use as lessons or sometimes inspirations to spur us on to bigger and better things.

My goals for 2012 I have my sights set on the Southern Hemispheres again and would love to compete in the NABBA/WFF Universe in Baden Austria, but if the moneys not there I will compete in the Australian Championships and maybe some interstate competitions again and definitely compete in the Universe in 2013.

There you have it My Story I hope it gives at least one person enough inspiration to follow your dreams and stay committed to yourself.

To date my achievements are as follows:

2007 2nd NABBA Qld Championships 1st
IFBB Qld Championships

2008 2nd NABBA Qld Championships

2009 2nd IFBB Qld Championships
NABBA Southern Hemisphere

2010 2nd NABBA Southern Hemispheres 1st
IFBB Sunshine Coast
1st NABBA Qld Championships
1st NABBA Australian Championships

2011 1st NABBA Southern Hemispheres 6th
NABBA World Championships

I would like to thank my husband(Levi), my children (Tilly and Jake), my family, friends, the township of Hervey Bay, Breathe health Club and the entire BB community for their support and encouragement I’m truly grateful to each and every one of you.