Body Building

A Moment I’ll Never Forget
On 4th July 2026, I stood on stage at the Amateur Olympia Portugal and heard the words I’d been dreaming of.
“Congratulations… you’ve earned your IFBB Pro Card.”
It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
For many people, this was the culmination of years of hard work in bodybuilding. For me, it represented something much bigger.
It was proof that even after being told I’d never walk, train or coach again, extraordinary things are still possible.

What Does Becoming an IFBB Pro Actually Mean?
If you’re not involved in bodybuilding, you might be wondering what an IFBB Pro Card actually is.
The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB Professional League) is the highest level of competitive bodybuilding in the world.
Becoming an IFBB Pro isn’t something you can simply apply for. It has to be earned through exceptional performances in qualifying competitions.
Most athletes spend many years competing before reaching professional status.
To achieve it in just my second competitive season is something I’m incredibly proud of.
It means I now compete alongside some of the very best physique athletes in the world and have earned the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the sport.

The Journey Makes It Even More Special
Just two years ago, I honestly didn’t know whether I’d ever train again.
Following complications from a routine medical procedure, I became critically ill. Kidney failure led to compartment syndrome in both lower legs, leaving me with permanent paralysis below the knees.
I was told my career as a Personal Trainer was over.
Instead, I chose to focus on what I could do.
Recovery wasn’t easy.
There were days filled with pain, frustration and uncertainty.
But every small step forward became another reason to keep going.
That mindset eventually led me back to the gym, back to coaching and ultimately onto the bodybuilding stage.

Competing as a Disabled Athlete
One question I’m asked regularly is why I don’t compete in disabled categories.
The answer is simple.
I wanted to see what I was capable of.
Throughout this season, I’ve competed almost entirely against able-bodied athletes.
Not because I had something to prove to anyone else, but because I wanted to challenge myself.
Earning my IFBB Pro Card in Women’s Physique whilst competing against able-bodied athletes makes this achievement even more meaningful.

Why This Matters to My Clients
This achievement isn’t about expecting my clients to become bodybuilders.
Far from it.
Most of the women I work with simply want to:
Lose weight
Improve their health
Feel stronger
Build confidence
Navigate menopause with the right support
But becoming an IFBB Pro demonstrates something important.
It shows the level of commitment, knowledge and resilience I bring to every client I coach.
I’ve experienced hormonal changes.
I’ve experienced illness.
I’ve rebuilt my own body.
And I know that every woman’s journey is different.
That’s why every coaching programme I create is tailored to the individual.
Because there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Looking Ahead
Achieving IFBB Professional Status isn’t the end of my journey.
It’s just the beginning.
I’ll continue competing professionally while doing what I’m most passionate about—helping women over 40 build healthier, stronger and more confident lives.
Because if my journey has taught me anything, it’s this:
Your current situation doesn’t define your future.

When I stepped onto the stage for my first competition of 2026, I had one goal.
Simply to be better than I was the last time I competed.
I certainly didn’t expect what would happen over the following four months.
Looking back now, it’s been an incredible season filled with unforgettable moments and achievements I once only dreamed about.

March – Starting Strong
The season began at the NPC Worldwide Condition Coaches Cup, where I won both the Masters Figure and Masters Physique categories.
It was the perfect start and gave me confidence that all the hard work over winter had been worthwhile.
Just two weeks later, I returned to the stage at the NPC Worldwide Ben Weider Pro Qualifier, winning both Women’s Open Figure and Women’s Open Physique.

Building Momentum
Over the following weeks, the results kept coming.
At the BPA Masters Allstars, I won the Women’s Trained Figure class, placed second in Athletic Figure, and was incredibly honoured to receive the Best Presentation Award.
That recognition meant just as much to me as the trophies.

A Season Full of Highlights
The rest of the season brought more victories than I ever imagined.
Across NABBA, PCA, IBFA, WFF, UKBFF and NPC competitions, I achieved multiple first-place finishes, overall champion titles and professional qualifications.
One of the proudest moments came at the WFF European Championships, where I won three categories and earned another Professional Card.
Every competition taught me something new.
Every stage made me stronger.

The Moment Everything Changed
Nothing quite compares to standing on stage at the Amateur Olympia Portugal.
Winning both the Women’s Open Physique and Women’s Masters Physique classes before being awarded my IFBB Professional Card is a moment I’ll never forget.
For any physique athlete, becoming an IFBB Pro is the highest level of achievement.
It’s the result of years of dedication, consistency and resilience.
To achieve it during only my second competitive season and as a disabled athlete competing against able-bodied competitors is something that still feels surreal.

More Than Medals
People often see the trophies.
They don’t always see the early mornings.
The careful planning.
The setbacks.
The rehabilitation.
The discipline.
Or the moments where you question whether you’re capable of continuing.
Those are the moments that really shape you.

Why I Share My Journey
Some people ask why I share so much of my competition journey with my coaching clients.
The answer is simple.
Because I want women to see what’s possible.
Not because I expect anyone to compete.
But because confidence, resilience and self-belief are things every woman deserves to experience.
Whether your goal is to lose two stone, complete your first Parkrun or simply have more energy to enjoy life, the same principles apply.
Small, consistent actions create incredible results.

Thank You
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout this season.
My family.
My clients.
My coaches.
My friends.
Every message of encouragement has meant more than you know.
This season may be over.
But the journey is only just beginning.