Valerie D. Sullivan

Female

41

Texas, United States

Retired Military

Golds
TX
United States

Oct, 1988

I thought it was time to share! I have been taking information and receiving inspiration from this site since its inception. So, here’s my story. I entered the United States Air Force, on 29 July 1986. Before I had enlisted I was very shy, with a reserved personality. As a 17-year old Hispanic girl, from a small agricultural farming community (Hanford, CA), it was my first time away from home. I ended up in the Security Police career field which was a predominately male career field at the time. This job was physically, mentally, and spiritually challenging for me. I steadily put on weight during my first tour of duty at Bitburg AB, German, and was tipping the scale at a soft 150 pounds. This weight would have been fine had I’d been taller, however at 5 foot 1 ½ inches tall, I found myself frustrated, disappointed, and angry. I was frustrated because I couldn’t physically keep up with the men, disappointed because I knew I was better than what I was producing as a Security Policeman, and just angry enough to do something about it! It took me 6 months of lots of running those hills in Germany, and I made progress incorporating weight training. By the end of my tour I had dropped 20 pounds, was keeping up, and even surpassing many of my male counterparts. I fell in love with getting stronger, being cardio fit, being part of the Air Force family, and in the Security Police careerfield. My original 4 year enlistment turned into a 21 year journey. During those 21 years I grew stronger spiritually, mentally and physically. In 1997 I took my training and fitness goals to a higher level of excellence. I entered my 1st power lifting competition and won the United States AF power lifting championship in Europe, with a 300 pound dead lift, 245 pound squat, and a 165 pound dead lift (entry body weight was 119). This was my foundation for preparing for my 1st bodybuilding competition held at Incirlik AB, Turkey where I was stationed at the time. I entered the show at a competition weight of 110 pounds and won my weight class. Since those early years I have made bodybuilding a way of life. I am a natural athlete, constantly seeking ways to improve my level of fitness. I am striving to realize my dream and vision of being the best version of Val that I can be. Every day is an opportunity to make that dream a reality. One of the first things that I do at 0430 in the morning is log onto bodybuildg.com; the transformations, great tips, motivation, and information posted motivate me to knock out some morning cardio (some day’s higher levels of motivation than others). However I get er’ done? . I have been using this site as a main source for my fitness needs for years, and have been informing as many people as I can to get connected. My daily walk with the Lord and passion to be fit has kept me sane and at peace as I continue my journey through life. I feel that I am called to aid others achieve their personnel health and fitness goals. I feel blessed for being healthy and for being able to share with others what I have learned from many life lessons. The spiritual, mental, and physical connection has kept me feeling alive and ready to meet the challenges, trials and tribulations of life. It is not a matter of if these challenges will happen; it’s a matter of preparing now for when they WILL happen. It is in my belief system, that should I remain faithful in making the most of what I have today, through the disciplines of taking care of the mind/body and spirit connection, I will be best prepared to handle “Life.” Not just exist but thrive. I am now 40 years wise, and have a wonderful “healthy” relationship with my husband Kevin who is patient and supportive with all my endeavors. My last tour of duty took me back to the country where it all started for me. I retired from the AF at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where I am currently living and working in the field of training and education. Throughout my travels around the world, I have learned so much from so many different types of people from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, ethnicities and religions. I have noticed that the running themes throughout my travels are that people from all walks of life are searching for inner peace and health. I love staying connected with as many people as I can through the positive aspects of living a healthy lifestyle and sharing. My passion is to continue to devote as much time in helping others meet and exceed their fitness goals. A fit mind/body and spirit is a gift which I do not take for granted. These are my choices, which I will continue to follow for a lifetime.

Any obstacles or challenges that I may be facing at any given time are put on hold the second I enter the gym. The mental focus to keep strict form, breathing,squeezing, pushing and pulling weights is such a great way to release energy and to re-charge.

Seeing tangible results. I realize through time, patience, perseverance and consistency that I am building the version of Val that I have visualized in my dreams

1997 - Power lifting Championship 1997 – USAFE Power lifting Championship. 1st Place and Women’s Overall Champion 1997 – Iron Man Decathlon, Incirilik Air Base, Turkey. Champion 1997 – Iron Women. Incirilik Air Base, Turkey. Champion 1997 – 2nd Annual Incirilik Bodybuilding Championship. 1st Place 1990 – Gamble Scramble. 5k Run, Age 21-25 Category. 1st Place. 1999 – NPC Lackland Bodybuilding Classic, Women’s Novice Lightweight. 1st. Place 2000 – NPC Lackland Bodybuilding Classic, Women’s Open Lightweight. 3rd Place 2001 – NPC Lackland Bodybuilding Classic, Women’s Open Lightweight. 1st Place 2003 – NPC Lackland Bodybuilding Classic, Women’s Open Lightweight. 1st Place 2003 – San Antonio Marathon. Finished in 4:54:18 (First marathon) 2004 – INBF Austin Texas Shredder. 4th Place 2006- Ali AlSalem, Kuwait. Female Bench Press Record (165 pound lift) 2006- INBF U.S. Forces Europe Bodybuilding Championship, Figure Short. 1st Place 2006- INBF U.S. Forces Europe Bodybuilding Championship, LW bodybuilding. 2nd Place 2006 – Deutsche Meisterschaft (German Natural Bodybuilding Championship). 2nd Place 2006– Schweizer-Meisterschaft (Switzerland Natural Bodybuilding Championship). International Division 1st Place 2006 – Westdeutsche Meisterschaft. Fitness level, 5th place 2008- Schweizer-Meisterschaft (Switzerland Natural Bodybuilding Championship). International Division 1st Place 2008- NAC International Mr. & Ms. Universe Competitor (DNP)

Slow and Steady....Day by Day...Meal by Meal...God 1st, everything else will follow.