Freak Fitness

I first met Olivia when she attended one of my conditioning camps in November 2011. At that time, she was frustrated with her physique and the lack of progress she was making despite doing endless hours of cardio and following a very low-calorie diet. After examining her physique structure, I saw her potential and encouraged her to go after her dream of stepping onstage as a Figure competitor. She agreed to train for the upcoming MABBA Novice show in March 2012.

At her heaviest, Olivia weighed 182 pounds. Because she is a physiotherapist, she had a lot of experience in the weight room and a good knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and nutrition. Once I emailed her initial meal, supplement, cardio, and training programs, she was quick to adapt to her new plan. But despite a strong start, Olivia’s progress stalled. In email updates, she would eventually admit to “pretty much” following her plan, but I knew there was more going on.

After some digging, Olivia confessed that she would frequently sneak in extra bites of food such as a handful of almonds or dried fruit. Thinking these were “healthy” foods, Olivia thought she wasn’t cheating on her diet, but, like many competitors, she didn’t realize how calorie-dense these foods were. And, as it turns out, it wasn’t just the extra calories that were hindering Olivia’s progress. Olivia later admitted she was filled with self-doubt and fears of failure. She didn’t believe she could accomplish her goal. She was just going through the motions in the gym and hoping that the “magic” would happen if she loosely followed the plan. I’ve coached many athletes, and once I learn what motivates a particular athlete, I can help him or her see past his or her fears and instead see what’s possible. This is when everything changed for Olivia. Once Olivia began to trust the plan and execute it with full conviction, her mental and physical changes were immediate. Olivia learned that spending time in the gym meant nothing without intensity and drive. To change her body, she would have to constantly push herself harder and never  leave a workout wondering if she could’ve done more. As her body continued to progress, her confidence increased immensely, and she became not only a stronger athlete but also a stronger person.

Olivia’s momentum built over the next several weeks, and unlike many competitors who get more anxious as the show draws near, Olivia became more excited. She had truly grown into a freak. Olivia won her class at the 2012 MABBA Novice at a body weight of 137 pounds and later won her class at the 2013 MABBA Provincials. Olivia continues to grow her physique and has chosen to take on the Women’s Physique division for 2014. If her past performances are any indication, the once selfconscious, fear-frozen Olivia could now be making room for another trophy on her mantle.

To read more about some of Darren's client's amazing transformations, click here!