Name: Melanie Cowling

Home: Cairns QLD

Off season weight  60kg
Competition weight 52kg
Height: 165cm
Eye colour: Green

Gym Trains at - Active Health Club Pease Street, Cairns QLD

Trainer - Rosa-Maria Romero (Online)

Sponsors: News Xpress Cairns Central and Body Matrix Supplements (Sponsored my trip to the ANB Nationals 2011

Titles:

NPBB - North Pacific bodybuilding Novice Figure 1st and Sept 2011 Overall Figure

ANB Nth QLD Titles - Novice Figure 1st and Overall Oct 2011
ANB Nationals - Novice Figure 1st Oct 2011

Melanie says: I first joined a gym when I was 12 going on 13. I was hooked immediately on the feeling that working out gives you! Over the years my interest progressed from cardio addiction to training with weights. Once I realized what training with weights did to my physique, I had found my new passion.  I never thought I would ever look like the figure girls that I admired so much. I didn't think I could be so disciplined! But 2011 was the year I decided I had to give it a shot. With the guidance of  my on line trainer, the one and only Rosa Maria Romero, I took up the challenge. There were ups and downs for sure, lots of self doubt and feelings of isolation. You need to be mentally strong to stay consistent and constantly keep your eyes on the end result. Picture in your mind how you want to look and let that drive you. 

My goal was to compete at the ANB North Queensland State Titles. After 6 months of strict dieting and training, I entered the a local competition in Cairns, the week before. I won the Novice Figure and Overall Figure. This gave me more confidence going into the ANB competition, in which I also won Novice Figure and Overall. All my effort had paid off!! I felt that I had one more comp left in me, so with Rosa's advice I decided to go the the ANB Nationals in Sydney, two weeks later. There were 10 other girls in the Novice Figure division, I was hoping for top 4. I was placed first!! I lined up for Overall Figure, I was just happy to be on the stage with so many quality competitors and one of my favorites- Michelle Fuller, who took Overall. What a great experience, I didn't want it to end.

I am now focusing on improvement for 2012 and am looking forward to the roller coaster ride once again. 

Obstacles I have overcome - I managed to complete my comp prep and make it to the stage even with a tibial stress fracture and tendonitis!

Hobbies and Interests -  I am a proud instructor of body pump and body step. I have played competition beach volley ball for over 20 years. I also love riding motorbikes

Future Goals and aspirations - To compete in more comps in 2012 and beyond, to improve my physique further and to continue to inspire other women to be their best. It is the lifestyle!