Fitness Amateur Of The Week: Bucking The Trend

Sponsors are hard to come by in fitness. Brittany was lucky enough to score one and step on stage for her first time. See which IFBB pro helped her prep for competition in only 16 weeks!

Name: Brittany Wallins
E-Mail: BrittanyBryan06@yahoo.com
BodySpace: MrsWally
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Age: 26  Height: 5'5"  Weight: 120 lbs
Years Competing: First one!

Q
How Did Your Fitness Journey Begin?

I've been a gym rat since I joined my first gym at 16. I have always been attracted to fitness. I was reading a fitness magazine a few years back and discovered that there are competition divisions for everybody. It can be a bit intimidating when you think of females entering bodybuilding competitions.

I think many people have the wrong image of what a strong female looks like. They picture Arnold and women who look like Arnold when they think of weight lifting and competitions. But that image couldn't be more wrong! Although there are many women and men who work hard to make serious gains, there is still plenty of room for women like me who want a lean, smaller look.

I decided to look for help to achieve my goal of competing in a bodybuilding competition. My employer, Dr. Samuels at the Centre for Sleep and Human Performance, agreed to sponsor and help me find a trainer/coach. I got in touch with Leah Berti, an IFBB pro living in Calgary, Canada. She did an amazing job at dialing me in to where I needed to be to compete within 16 weeks. It wasn't always fun, but it taught me a lot of self discipline and I learned that if you work hard enough you will see the results you want.


How Did Your Passion For Fitness Emerge?

I love that it is an art. You are literally sculpting your own body from the inside out with what you eat and what muscles you pay more attention to. We all have our trouble areas, but that doesn't mean you give up on them. It means you work them harder! That is why I like competitions; it's all about proportion and everyone has to work hard to be there.

What/Who Motivates You To Live A Healthy Lifestyle?

Myself! I do this for me. I love feeling comfortable in my own skin! For the first time ever, I got back from a week of vacation (I ate clean and kept up with my workouts) and could put on a bathing suit and still feel good. It was a great feeling! I learned that you will never regret not eating that donut or having that glass of wine. It will always be there for you another day.

Where Did You Go For Inspiration?

My thoughts will often go to fitness pros like Amanda Latona when I needed to push through that last bit of cardio or those last few reps. She worked hard to get where she is and who doesn't want to look like that? I sure do, so there goes another strong five reps.

What Are Your Future Fitness Plans?

I wouldn't mind competing again because it's a good butt kick and it gives you a goal to push towards. Even if I don't compete, I want to put on some more muscle and get a bit more sculpted. Hopefully I can get into training people as a side job to help them reach their fitness goals. Fitness is something I am quite passionate about.

What Is The Most Important Fitness Tip?

"Strive for progress not perfection." I remember my sister Ashley told me that because I was feeling really discouraged at one point. I wanted immediate results and didn't see them, but little by little I got to where I needed to be.

Who Is Your Favorite Fitness Competitor?

To watch? Old school Arnie! He was such a beaut. Now I look to the leading ladies in fitness, Leigh Brandt, Amanda Latona, and Lindsay Messina—such stunners!

How Did Bodybuilding.com Help You Reach Your Goals?

I love the recipes. I refuse to believe that just because food is fuel it has to taste like gruel. I also like the workouts. Prior to getting a trainer, I used the workouts online and they worked great!

Competition History: June 16, 2012 First comp was at the ABBA southern here in Alberta. There were 11 girls in the medium height class and I came in fourth. Not bad at all, but I want to go back for a higher placement one day. A sponsor could help with that. It's quite an expensive sport and any assistance would be welcome!