Julie

Female

29

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Personal Trainer | Physique Consultant | Graphic/Web Designer

Jan, 2005

I was an avid reader of fitness magazines, such as Oxygen, and admired the fit, healthy looking models. One day I just thought to myself, "Why can't I build a physique like that?" It became my focus to train hard and compete in my first fitness competition within a year. For more information visit my web site: www.juliecoram.com You can also check out the video from my recent photo shoot for Status Fitness Magazine with David Ford - one of North America's leading fitness photographers! http://www.contestprep.ca Visit my Amateur Fitness Competitor of the Week feature: http://www.bodybuilders.com/juliec.htm

Deciding to compete was a life-altering decision. I was immediately welcomed by the bodybuilding community (locally & online), and continue to be pleasantly surprised by the individuals I meet and the inspirational stories they share. While many outsiders believe bodybuilding is about vanity and how people look on the outside, I've met several cancer survivors, others who've lost large amounts of weight and still more who strive to improve their lives through better health. We each have our own story about what we overcame to make it to contest day. In my case, my life today is drastically different from one year ago when I made the decision to train for the 2006 MABBA Novice. I am a stronger person inside and out, and I owe great thanks to my family and friends (old & new) for their endless support. I also attribute the healthy focus of training for my first competition as a primary reason I pulled through recent hardships.

Regardless of what else is going on in my life, I feel strong in the gym. In October 2005, I lost a close friend my age to cancer, and in September 2006 my best friend was diagnosed with cancer. I've learned that I cannot take my health for granted. I use their stories as inspiration to continue to push myself to my full potential. I realize I am blessed with good health, and I celebrate that daily!

Ms. Fitness Manitoba 2008! May 31/08, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Placed 1st Fitness Short Class & won the overall title CANADIAN NATIONALS June 2007 - ranked 8th in Canada, Fitness Short Class PROVINCIALS June 2007 - 2nd place, Fitness Short Class PROVINCIALS June 2006 - 2nd place, Fitness Short Class NOVICE March 2006 - 1st place, Fitness Short Class

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength." - Arnold Schwarzenegger "Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right." - Henry Ford www.contestprep.ca