My coach, trainer and a friend shares her journey....The road is not always smooth....hard work and dedication make all the difference.
We all have this grand master plan of what it is we're going to be when we grow up; a football player, an actor, a doctor. Well for Canada's first ever IFBB Bikini Pro, Leigh Brandt it was a cop. That just goes to show, we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. In this case Leigh got the winning hand.
When Leigh's adolescent days of school sports and wrestling were over and the game of life began, reality set in. This was no game of “Go Fish”. Having a full time job and nothing to keep her active and in shape just wasn't going to cut it. Leigh did what any average person would do- she joined a gym, but Leigh is no average person. She took it up a notch by deciding to hire a trainer and enter into her first figure competition in 2007.
Despite being in the best shape of her life, Brandt was not as successful as she had hoped placing 5th in her first competition. She knew that it was because she lacked muscle definition and the separation that was required for her to be one of the best in the industry- Leigh didn’t give up. She continued training and competing in figure competitions until the NPC opened up a new bikini category. Naturally this was an easy decision for the beauty. Leigh crossed over to bikini in 2009 with the help of her trainers Lori Mark and Dean Brandt. Not only is Leigh a sight for sore eyes but she's "D.U.R.T.I" determined, unstoppable, relentless, tenacious and irresistible. She's a walking "royal flush".
Leigh competed in the CBBF Nationals in 2009 placing 1st in her category and 1st overall, giving Leigh Brandt the title of first ever IFBB Bikini Pro. Did this title come easy to Brandt? Like the saying goes, “if it was easy, everyone would do it". Leigh took this honour very seriously and realized that she was no longer just stepping on stage representing her local gym or her city she was representing a nation. Leigh admits that she’s come across some challenges in her competitive career and some ice cream and her mom’s mac & cheese definitely made the list. However she met her biggest obstacle on November 4th 2011 when her life came to a screeching halt. Cancer had taken the life of her biggest fan and supporter-her mother. Leigh took that hand that was dealt to her and decided to "fold". When asked how it affected her training, Leigh stated,
"I have to admit, I lost my focus and motivation after I lost my mom. I hit an all time low and had to pick myself back up. My mom was a very strong and opinionated woman, and in the back of my mind I knew she would want me to continue with my dreams and further myself in my career. I knew she would be very angry with me if I let it all go to waste. After all, she was my biggest fan! So I hit the gym, set new goals and continued on with the love and support of my husband, family and friends".
Talk about a winning “poker face”.
IFBB Pro, Personal Trainer, Owner of "BodyByBrandt", sponsored athlete, published fitness & cover model. With a title like that, Leigh Brandt is a rather busy woman and for anyone who has competed in a fitness & bodybuilding competition, you know that balance is key and we all need time to ourselves. When Leigh was asked what she does in her "me" time to clear her head and find balance, she replied
"a little retail therapy always helps!”
Well if a little retail therapy is going to keep this bikini pro cool, calm and collected, make sure you point her in the right direction when you see her- better yet, stop by the Inside Fitness Magazine booth for your chance to pose next to Leigh Brandt at the Toronto Pro Super Show, June 1st-3rd 2012. You can also check out frequent updates from the bikini pro herself by visiting her website http://www.leighbrandt.com or by following her on Twitter @LeighBrandt.
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