I competed in my first fitness show five years ago as an able-bodied bikini competitor, at 27 years old. This past Saturday, June 22, 2019 was my first time back on stage since sustaining a complete spinal cord injury from a recreational accident a short three months after my first show.
If you would like to read more about my journey please visit radsociety.ca
I was camping with friends. 31 degrees celcius, 12:30, sober, on a Sunday afternoon. I jumped, feet first, off a 60’ bridge into the cool, inviting river below. I landed on debris, sustaining a complete T6 level spinal cord injury. I did not hit the bottom, I did not lose consciousness, I swam to the surface, and helped swim myself to safety on shore.
I was asked by the promoter of the show to be the first female wheelchair bodybuilder in Canada, and I said yes.
My desire to get back into a training state of mind. And to forever have ammunition against those who say they can’t.
I pulled up my socks and got back into the gym. Training and eating well is easy for me.
Health and wellness. Being elite.
Do it for you and not others or you will not complete the process smiling. It is not for the faint of heart. You need to implore will-power. If you say it, do it. Make sure you have a coach who is hands-on! This is key and will help keep you on track even when you want to quit. If this coach is at a distance, make sure you have company at the gym who is willing to help you (not someone focused on their own workout, but on yours). It takes a fraction of the time and frustration if you have these people.
