Follow Gabrielle as she makes her WBFF TRANSFORMATION Debut

Why did I decide to compete:

There are so many reasons and it has been such a long Journey but here it goes.... 

 

As a person who has always been overweight and so insecure about it, this seemed like a longshot. Even when my body started to change after educating myself on food/nutrition and worked very hard towards competing, I still didn't quite believe I could do it. One day on my way to a posing class, I sneezed and hit the ground crying in excruciating pain on the train. Shortly there-after I was diagnosed with Chiari-malformation and told I needed to have brain surgery to correct a fluid mass that had built up in my spine because of it. I was told that if I didn't get the procedure immediately I could become paralyzed.  The doctors were amazed that I was still standing. Only after surgery did I learn that the mass was much worse and life-threatening. I was told that I could not train as much as I wanted and  I couldn't lift more than 30lbs. That's when I decided, that competing wouldn't just be a dream, but a reality and I was going to push with all my might to make this happen despite MAJOR concerns from my doctors but ESPECIALLY my family. 

After surgery, my Mom, Grandma, and Partner not only helped me through recovery but showed me the meaning of unconditional love. They cared for me day in and day out. To this day I get emotional thinking about how much their love lifted me. Recovery was so hard, and depression was always looming over me. There's no cure for my condition, so all that there is left to do is manage the frequent and painful symptoms the best I can.  That hurt me because I hated feeling "limited".  I refused to be limited. One night, I  just prayed for Grace for God to just stick with me while I continued, and I promised I would. 

My why... 

To spread awareness and give hope to people with Chiari Malformation and other invisible illnesses that affect so many on the daily. To prove to myself that I am capable, as I have honestly never completed or worked so hard for ANYTHING in my life. But I mostly want to show my family that all their love and support brought me here. Brought me through depression/recovery, ignited a spark, and revealed a strength (and a woman) I never knew existed. This is for them. To make them proud and show them through love, grace and FAMILY anything is possible.

Follow Tiffany as she makes her Diva Fitness Debut!!!

This time it was for me....

As a coach, you interview different people for programs and pick up on whether you feel a person is coachable, able to attain the goals they have for themselves, and most importantly, if they will follow through. I remember meeting Tiffany and after her interview thinking most people with her history either do really well, or really poorly.  As a coach, we also take a guess at what we think that outcome to be, because we have to decide whether we want to move forward with a program with the athlete...If it's worth the time. I figured she would make it through, I just didn't imagine the strength and growth I would witness in her in such a short amount of time. Now we stand...her first fitness show tomorrow and a progress picture to die for.  Help us in congratulating Ms Tiffany Vazquez on her Diva Fitness and Bikini debut.

When asked what was her why....

I have always been into fitness off and on my entire life, but this time around it was different for me. At the time I was in a real toxic place in my life, where I was suffering from stress, anxiety and depression. I knew I needed to change my whole entire surroundings and remove negativity from my circle. I wanted to get back to me and being comfortable in my own skin. I used to bounce around the idea of competing to others but, I was quickly shot down. Till one day I went to a competition show to see my closest friend compete. I saw how hard she worked and how beautiful she looked and honestly that gave me the drive to tell myself if she can do it so can I. 

But This training and prep has been more than that to me. It has been a healing process and recovery for me. Each day that passes I get stronger not only physically but mentally as well. It taught me self worth, discipline and never give up on yourself. You are stronger than you think. 

The plus of this entire prep was the amazing new people I met. I’ve never meet such strong, beautiful and ambitious ladies. They helped my temendously and I would not be here or doing this without their help. I feel so happy and humbled to be doing my 1st show at Atlantic Fitness and doing it with my true friends and supporters. One thing I been tell myself all the time is : 

I am my own competition, I’m competing with myself. 

Be better than you were yesterday. 

Follow Kim as she makes her Diva Fitness Debut!!

A Journey Come Full Circle

Kim's journey with Phoenyx began as a private, online client looking to get into better shape for carnival in Trinidad.  The first time I met Kim in person was the WBFF Fitness Atlantic show in 2016.  A mutual friend and client was competing in the show that year.  She may have mentioned then that she was possibly interested in taking on the stage at some point in the future. I have many people that say that to me, but those words do not always translate to participating in a program and actually going through prep.  

She reached out again though, expressing an interest and we got the ball rolling last year.  It's not easy going from an online program to COMPETITION PREP.  These two things are not even in the same realm of preparation, but Kim was diligent with her program and determined to do it right. One year later, we are just hours away from the same show and stage that Kim witnessed 2 years ago for the first time.  This time, this stage is hers. We are so excited to showcase Kimberly Ashley in her diva bikini debut!!

My Why....I’m 41 years old and have always been into fitness. In college I was on the crew team for 4 years and was captain my senior year. When I returned home from college, I continued to exercise regularly but it wasn’t the same.  I missed the competitiveness. My exercise habits started to not be consistent and because of that my weight was up and down. When I first decided to participate in a bikini competition, it was more of a “bucket list” type of fulfillment.  But as I was going through the process of comp prep, it became much more. I’ve had to confront my weakness (which were hard for me to accept). Consistency has always been a challenge. But in order to be successful in this journey, consistency HAD to happen.  I also saw that I was stronger than I thought I was. There have been days where I felt sorry for myself and that  I’ve wanted to cry and just give up. But I’m so happy that I decided to push through. I’m a nurse practitioner and I work with patients that have advanced heart failure. I want to set an example for my patients.  I want them to know that I understand that maintaining a healthy diet and regularly exercising is hard.  But I’m right there with them.

To Prep or not to Prep.

 The Second Time Around...

If you recently got to read my last post on this blog, you have an idea of how much fitness means to me and how much I enjoy challenging myself. Well, the decision for going forward with this prep was no different.

I was very blessed to have gotten second place in my last show, it being my first competition, I know most people would feel beyond happy. It was a little different for me. I was content, but not satisfied. At first I was on the fence about doing this again. I was enjoying my time off for a few weeks, however, the thought of trying harder to do better than last time continued circling in my head and although I had a lot going on in my personal life, I knew I could never forgive myself and I would regret it if I didn’t go for it.

My close friend Tiffany also decided to compete in this show and I felt a sense of weight on my shoulders to be as supportive as I can. I previously told her I would prep with her and I didn’t want to go back on my word. I prepped alone during my last competition and I know how difficult it can be. Doing this prep with Kim and Tiff has made it so much easier in the sense of the fellowship, having the same topic to speak about, group chats to complain, coordinate group workouts, and motivate and support each other.

I thought that because I JUST came out of a prep, I knew what was was ahead so it would be more of a breeze; I was wrong. I had a new set of hurdles to face and instead of being afraid, I decided to take courage and allow myself to grow through these new challenges.

I was facing new challenges in my personal life, at my job and physically with my body fat being more resilient and also being treated for a back injury during this process, but this only became the reason that fueled me to push through and use my faith to move these mountains and continue inspiring anyone to not use the excuse of letting difficult situations be the reason to not go after what you want.

It is scary to think, “what if I get worse than second place” but at the end of this, I can say I am truly satisfied because through this process I have already beat that girl that won second place. I’m mentally and emotionally stronger than I was last time and if my whole process serves as just an ounce of motivation for anyone facing a similar issue, then all this hard work is absolutely valid.

What I love most about fitness is that you don't compete with anyone else but yourself. You can always be better than you were yesterday. It teaches you patience and consistency and once you start seeing results, you get addicted. You want to get stronger, lift heavier, run faster, jump higher...or whatever your goal might be. Fitness is a way of life. You don’t always feel motivated, but once you push yourself and finish the work out you didn’t feel like doing, you feel accomplished and proud of yourself.

I have been active my whole life, but as I think back, I always did individual sports like dancing or snowboarding. I left my home country of the Czech Republic about 6 years ago, and didn’t really know which way my career would go. I feel like I tried everything. Then I found a book I purchased years ago when I was playing with the ideaof becoming a fitness trainer. I finally studied the book, passed the test and became certified. I quit my job and became a trainer for a local gym. When I look back, I see the huge growth I had been through as a trainer. I love my job. I love being independent and being my own boss. I love leading by example, educating my clients on a healthier lifestyle and helping them reach their goals. I used to work for David Barton Gym on the upper east side. After they shut their doors down, I started to work independently. I have a beautiful relationship with all of my clients and I love to hear their positive feedback and be part of the reason they feel healthier and stronger.

I decided to compete a couple years ago but felt it was not the right time, until January of this year. I knew the time was right and it’s either now or never. I jumped on and through some ups and downs I have loved the journey over all. It’s not easy but it is not impossible. I wanted to move higher as a trainer, get more experience, learn new stuff and also see, where I can take my body. So many times I felt like I am working against nature, gravity and common sense (lol) but it was worth it and I have learned so much on a physical and mental level. I decided to do my first show in Los Angeles as I felt like I can stay more motivated and I have been looking for any reason to go to LA to hug the palm trees! :) My big day is Saturday, April 7th!

Wish me luck! :)