ABOUT ME
| Age: | 28 |
| Height: | 168cm / 5'5" |
| Weight: | 67kg / 147 lb |
| Contest Weight: | 60kg / 132 lb |
| Training Gym | Virgin Active, Printworks, Manchester |
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Born in Auckland, New Zealand, I have a twin brother and two older brothers who are also twins. I come from a very active/sporting family, and have been involved in team sports since I can remember. I started going to the gym at the age of 15 as a way to cure boredom whilst waiting for my Dad whilst he was training. After leaving school I gained my qualification for Personal Training and worked in a gym for a few years before moving to the UK seven years ago.
I have always kept up my weight training, but never really worried too much about what I ate. It wasn't until the end of 2004 when I took a look at myself and realised just how much better I could look if I ate the right diet. I knew that the diet I had was quite bad, but didn't really care. I am someone that loves my food, I love to cook, and eat what I want to eat (well, I used to!) I am a person who likes to have a goal to strive for. I don't like going for a run unless I'm trying to get somewhere, I don't want to jump high unless someone is dangling a piece of chocolate above me. I went to a few competitions back in NZ when I was working at the gym, and always had the idea of maybe one day competing in the back of my mind (way, way at the back). I started doing a bit of research on the internet, and looked into body building federations in the UK. I stumbled across the websites of the BNBF and the NPA, and decided I'd try to compete. From here I was referred to the website of Jon Harris, Pro Natural Body Builder - who has a forum on his website. Here I have met a number of people who I have become great friends with, who are an endless source of inspiration, encouragement and knowledge of the sport. I also had my close friend from NZ, Annie (Tanner Extraordinaire) to help me out with my routine/posing/diet etc..)
I had a long way to go before I could even think of getting on the stage, I set myself a goal of the BNBF Northern qualifier in June. By this stage it was coming to late January 2005, and I had about 4-5 months to get my butt into gear. I started off by recording daily what I ate, this made me really realise just how high my calorie intake was, but of the wrong kind of calories. I gradually sorted my diet out, and slowly and surely the weight started to drop. I really got into my training, training every day with weights, and cardio most mornings before breakfast. I allowed myself a rest day when I felt my body needed it.
5 months later, my first competition had come around and I had lost about 17 kg (37 lbs). And well, I am now hooked. I came 2nd in my first show, qualifying for the British finals in Edinburgh, where I came 6th place. Two weeks after this I entered the NPA UK Championships which was the final qualifier of the year for the NPA British Finals. I came in leaner at this show than I did in my previous shows, and I think, probably my best showing of the year. Coming in second also at this show, I went on to place 5th at the finals in Coventry.
I hope my website can help inspire others, show people that it can be done, as long as you believe in yourself, and have people around you that believe in you.
I hope you all enjoy my website!
Trudsxx
