A BODYBUILDER has muscled her way to the top of her field despite only being in training since the beginning of the year.
Rebecca Walsh-Brown came away with first place in the Body Fitness category at her first ever bodybuilding competition – the UK Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (UKBFF) Ultimate Beginners event.
Rebecca, Director and Head of Physiotherapy at Peak Performance Centre of Excellence in St Peter’s Road, training under the watchful eye of Strength and Conditioning Coach Spencer Brown, as well as receiving coaching and advice from Helen O’Reilly (aka Panther of Gladiators fame) and Sean O’Reilly at Panthers Gym, Uxbridge.
She said she couldn’t quite believe she had won the competition when the result was announced.
“I was in a state of shock,” she said. “Ultimately I was extremely happy that all my hard work and dedication had paid off, and it was great to have a small crowd of family and friends there to cheer me on.”
The lifelong Rugbeian, a former Rugby High School student, first took an interest in bodybuilding two years ago after watching a friend’s progress as she trained for a similar event.
After 14 years of competing in Tae Kwon Do at regional, national and international events, the 29-year-old decided she wanted a physical goal that she could work towards, that would fit around her lifestyle and working hours.
“I have only really been training for bodybuilding since January of this year, so am extremely happy with my results so far,” she added.
“In the run up to my first competition I have learnt a lot about myself with regards to training, nutrition as well as planning, organisation and stress management. Stress can come in many different guises and I have learnt how my body reacts to stress, how to identify it early and how best to manage it.”
Rebecca’s next target is the UKBFF Scottish Grand Prix in Glasgow on August 29, where the winner will be invited to the World Championships in Benidorm later in the year. She will also compete in the West Midlands Championships at Bedworth Civic Hall on September 27.
But her ultimate goal is to learn as much as she can about nutrition and training, so she can help others achieve their own transformation aims.
She added: “Throughout my studies so far I have learnt a great deal about the human body, exercise and nutrition, but there is always more to learn.”
