Over 40 Amateur Of The Week: Tracy Is A Fit Brit

How did your fitness journey begin?

I grew up in England and my fitness journey started at age 6 when I started gymnastics. I loved the vault and solo floor routines, and competed against other schools in the district and won awards. The adrenaline rush was intense, even at an early age. I stayed at the competitive level for 12 years.

By age 11, I also competed in track and field events including the 100 and 200 meters and long jump. I trained at my local club, the Hallamshire Harriers, in Sheffield, England, and observed legends like Sebastian Coe, who trained there and won four Olympic medals. I played softball (we called it rounders) competitively, was the catcher for the female and coed teams, and joined the swim team for the challenge. I had two brothers to contend with, so the spirit of competition was always alive and well in our home.

"The adrenaline rush was intense, even at an early age."

How did your passion for fitness emerge?

After high school, at age 17, I needed a new goal to motivate me, so I joined my local gym and was introduced to weight training. I became friends with the local trainers and spent most of my free time at the gym soaking up knowledge. My goal at the time was to do 10 pull-ups. Seeing the results of hard work was a big motivator.

At age 23, I jumped at a chance to experience a new culture and moved to Dubai, UAE, to work as a flight attendant for United Arab Emirates Airlines. I traveled the world and had the experience of a lifetime, but my hectic work schedule made it challenging to maintain a workout routine. I worked hard to maintain my fitness level, trained in hotels, and made healthy food choices while still socializing with friends. Finding a balance was difficult, but I never stepped down from a challenge.

I moved to the United States at age 32, met my husband, and had two boys, all wonderful events that put my fitness goals on hold. My second son was 5 months old when I returned to lifting and my fitness level took a turn. I lifted heavier than before and started a routine that included boxing and karate. Running local races boosted my cardio and added to my weekly workout routine. I was diligent about my diet and kept it clean. I felt strong and fit and enjoyed motivating friends to join me, which propelled my personal training career.

By 2010, most of my friends asked if I was going to compete in figure competitions, so I decided to. My first show was the Jon Lindsay NPC Border States in San Diego, California, on October 2010. I placed third and it started an amazing journey. I've competed in several shows since and made strides each time.

Who or what motivated you?

In my early years, I was mesmerized by Nadia Comaneci. I did handstands for hours. Now I find my motivation from my family and my need to be healthy to keep up with my kids. Music and new playlists always kick me up a notch.

Where did you go for inspiration?

My coach, Gina Aliotti, is a huge inspiration, even when I watched her compete from afar. She drives me to be a better version of myself. I love helping others through personal training and coaching. Knowing that I can help someone become healthier inspires me to be better.

What are your future fitness plans?

My future fitness venture is to compete in the Masters Nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in July 2013. My goal is to bring my personal best to the stage. I'll follow that with family time and beach workouts in Hawaii. Getting my black belt in karate is on my shortlist too.

I started my own business, One Fit Brit, which focuses on personal training and coaching.

What is the most important fitness tip?

Make your goals your own. That's the only way you'll care enough to stick with them. That means taking whatever life throws at you. Strive to be a better version of yourself and take the rest when needed. Find a balance between family, social, and work life so they remain in balance. It will take time to reach your goals, but it's a journey, not a quick fix.

Who is your favorite bodybuilder/fitness athlete?

Erin Stern is my favorite IFBB figure athlete. She's beautiful on stage and off. I love that she's also a track and field athlete.

How did Bodybuilding.com help you reach your goals?

I use Bodybuilding.com to purchase supplements and for product reviews. The training videos are a great source of information to learn new techniques and help online clients with form. I love the inspiration from BodySpace members and the recipes that arrive with my orders.

Tracy's Top 5 Gym Tracks

"Animal" by Def Leppard
"Set Fire To The Rain (remix)" by Thomas Gold
"Titanium" by David Guetta
"Don't Stop The Party" by Pitbull
"Scream & Shout" by Will.i.am

Competition History

2013 NPC Southern Californian - 3rd Place Figure Open
2013 NPC Southern Californian - 2nd Place Figure 45+
2013 IFBB Arnold Amateur - 11th Place Figure 35+
2012 NPC Masters Nationals - 5th Place Figure 35+
2012 NPC San Diego Championships - 1st Place Figure Class B, Figure Masters A
2011 NPC USA National Championships - 16th Place Figure Class C
2011 NPC LA Bodybuilding & Figure - 1st Place Figure Masters 35+ A
2011 NPC LA Bodybuilding & Figure - 2nd Place Figure Open C
2011 NPC San Diego Bodybuilding - 1st Place Figure Masters 35+ A
2011 NPC San Diego Bodybuilding - 1st Place Figure Open Class C
2010 NPC Excalibur Championships - 1st Place Figure Masters 35+
2010 NPC Excalibur Championships - 3rd Place Figure Open C
2010 NPC Border States Championships - 3rd Place Figure Open C
2010 NPC Border States Championships - 3rd Place Figure Masters 35+

Thanks

To my husband Bob and my boys Sam and Harry for being great supporters.
To my coach/trainer Gina Aliotti for keeping dieting and workouts fun.
To Team G-Fit for always being positive and supportive.
To my sponsors Quest Nutrition and Muscle Egg Egg Whites.
To Tony Mitchell of OAMG and Zana Ikeda for the awesome photos.
To my figure suit designer Aggie Garcia whose designs are like icing on the cake.
To the NPC, Jon Lindsay, and fellow promoters for the amazing events.
To Laurie Hagstrom of Cheat the Beach for always giving me the perfect airbrush tan.