Follow Massiel as she makes her WBFF Diva Fit Model Debut!

Let me begin at the top. I stumbled into my current career unintentionally. Being a personal trainer was never in my "what do you want to be when you grow up?" List. I started pursuing fitness because I was overly stressed. When I realized I needed to make a change I was 24 years old. At such a young age I was completely out of shape, couldn't fit into my clothes and it all happened suddenly. It's like I was in my body but felt like it wasn't my body. I was so unhappy with my bachelors in business, stressed at my job as an administrator and with so many changes happening in my life during that year I began suffering from anxiety. The weight room became my therapy. My dedication began producing the physical results that I wanted and before I knew it I was guiding my friends into getting fit, got my certification and fast forward, I am about to make my debut as a Fitness Diva with the WBFF.
When I decided that I wanted to be a trainer, It didn't cross my mind to compete I just had the heart to help people learn to be healthy and fit and to do it because they loved their bodies, not because they hated them.My cousin Suehade, who is a PRO for the same federation was who inspired me and believed in me enough for me to muster the courage and take on this challenge.

The reason why I decided to compete is because after working out and after my experience in the gym for 3 years now, I wanted a new challenge. Sometimes personal trainers have this idea that they can figure it all out on their own and contrary to that I wanted to learn something new and to be guided professionally with accountability. I wanted to undergo this process for beyond physical reasons. Only people who have suffered from anxiety understand the intensity of the feeling and know that it takes a LOT of mental strength to be able to control and overcome an anxiety attack. I got into fitness not only to build my body but also to build my mind and so that's why I felt it was the right time for me to undergo the process of preparing for a competition. I understood that if I wanted to grow as a person I needed to continuously learn and to continuously be challenged and I am so satisfied with this prep because that is exactly what it has done for me!

I have been able to discover a strength in me both mentally and physically that I never thought I had within. No other process would have been able to teach me what I have learned about myself like this one.
This has been the most rigorous, yet most rewarding period of time in my life. I have not stepped on stage yet but I am content because no matter what happens I know I am stronger,  and I am better than when I first began. I have learned to channel a new level of focus towards a goal regardless of my circumstance and all the havoc going on in my surrounding. My faith, passion and consistency has reached new levels and although these things are intangible, they are the greatest possessions!

Follow Sabrina to the WBFF Diva Bikini Stage

Picture Perfect...

I am both a perfectionist and extremely competitive.  Sometimes, this makes competing really difficult.  In a sport where there is no such thing as perfection and where winning is completely subjective it is really difficult for someone who strives for both to accept that neither is in your control.
My first show was this past July with the WBFF.  Every day for seven months leading up to the competition, I did everything perfectly.  I never skipped a workout, always ate exactly to hit my macros, drank at least 6 liters of water, and went to every posing session.   I told myself if I did everything perfectly and gave prep everything I had physically, mentally, and emotionally, I had to place top five. I had to walk away with something.

Show day came, and it was the most wonderful, exciting and exhilarating thing I had ever been a part of. Standing backstage, I was so proud of myself for what I had accomplished.  I knew that I had given this everything I had and left it all out on the stage. I worked my ass off and my entire life I had come to know that hard work = results.  The more work you put in, the more results you achieve.  I had worked so hard. I had to walk away with something.

They called out the names for top 5 and mine was not one of them. I remember walking off the stage feeling completely defeated, like the last seven months of killing myself to do this show had just come and gone and I was left with nothing to show for it.  My mom and my little sister had flown all the way from California to be there to support me. I wanted them to see me win. I had put this show before everything and everyone, and I wanted that to mean ...something.

What I didn't realize until a few weeks had passed, was that even though I didn't have a medal or trophy to show for my hard work, I had everything else to show for it.  In seven months, I had transformed into someone so strong, confident and sure of herself that I hardly recognized myself anymore. I had heard so many times from my amazing coaches and teammates that you should never do a show just to win, and while I didn't realize that's what I was doing, that's exactly what I was doing. No one's opinion of you should define you or cause you to question your worth, especially a panel of judges who define 'winners' by the size of their glutes or the caps of their shoulders.  A 'winner' does not necessarily always win - a winner is someone who goes out there and tries.  And then goes out there and tries even harder next time. Winners compete to better themselves, not be better than others.

So, I decided to get back on the horse and compete again, but this time with the mentality that win or lose, the outcome really doesn't matter. I'm already better than I was before, so as far as I'm concerned, I've already won.  There is a difference between posting ' It's YOU v YOU' and 'BE your best self' under your instagram pictures, and knowing that when you stop comparing yourself to other people and start only competing with yourself, there is no limit to how amazing you can be.

Kyedi's Journey to NPC Easterns

Two Steps Forward,..Two Steps Back

It is one year later, and I am competing in the NPC Figure Division for the second time.  In the Brooklyn, I placed fifth in both novice and open, which is considered to be a great start.  Of course, with the help of crtiques, there is always room for improvement.  After the show, I did put on a substantial amount of weight. (40lbs to be exact) due to reintroducing certain foods back into my diet too quickly and some food sensitivities.  I never thought I would put the weight back on especially knowing where I had originally started 10 years ago, close to 300 lbs.  

Somone said to me your “Your off season diet determines your prep when you’re on season”.  It's definitely a lifestyle , not a phase.  This prep was tougher than the first in regards to my diet, which was more restricted, since I had a lot of weight to lose.  It's ok, even though this prep is for my upcoming show, it helped me to get back into shape. Not only did my weight come down, my conditioning and muscularity improved during this process.  My total weight loss to date is 130lbs. 

There are times in life when you have to take two steps back to take one step forward.  I had to go back to the drawing board with both my food and workouts.  With the help of various people I was able to establish a new foundation to get my butt back into shape. I also had to factor in school because it was my graduation year, and my son's graduation year.  During this time, I was able to start my prep and see results instantly.  Once the school year was over I was able to focus on prepping for my next show.  

I am fortunate to have the support of my family and friends through this journey because there are some people that wal this path alone.  A great support system is much needed and appreciated.  the critiques and honesty of the people who have been with me on this second journey to stage is 

greatly appreciated.  It’s not easy as a single parent to balance work, home and school.  If you want something bad enough, you would make every effort to make time for it and get it.  I love to train and compete.  I love the way it makes me feel and look. It feels good when people tell you that you inspire them, especially once they learn of your story which I do not have a problem sharing.  I am proud of what has been accomplished and able to compete once again in the NPC Easterns

We are so proud of this girl. Please show your support via message, comment or attendance at Kyedi's first nationals appearance.