Hitting reset at 30
Anita had a degree in economics and a masters in business, and was heading up operations and business development for a large firm, a successful career by any normal measure. Underneath it, she was falling into a downward spiral of depression, smoking and drinking. On her 30th birthday, she decided to take back control of her life, and set her sights on one of the world’s largest competitive bikini competitions instead.
I wanted to engage in something I am passionate about every single day. I wanted to be a part of helping others to achieve their goals, to feel better, become healthier and happier and to work towards their dreams. I want to be a person who has a positive impact on others. I genuinely want them to be their best. This is so rewarding for me and enhances my love for what I do.Anita
Eighteen weeks to the stage
Anita spent eighteen weeks preparing for the stage, working toward a body and a mindset she could barely imagine at the start. She doesn’t have what she calls perfect genetics or a fast metabolism, but she believed she had what it takes to get there.
I don’t have perfect genetics or a fast metabolism, but I knew I had what it takes to get on stage. I wanted to express myself: my attitude, drive and enthusiasm. There’s no better feeling than all your hard work paying off. Bodybuilding is about being honest with yourself; with more knowledge comes more progress. My motivation was to inspire others to follow their dream. Anything can happen, at any moment. Open yourself to those moments.Anita
The best shape of her life
Eighteen weeks of preparation later, Anita stepped onto a competition stage in front of thousands of people for the first time, the culmination of everything she had worked for.
It was one of my best moments ever. I was in the best shape of my life. At first I was nervous, I kept practising my poses backstage worrying about screwing up and embarrassing myself and my coach. I even tried to avoid eye contact with the judges, which of course was a mistake. But all of a sudden I stopped worrying. I reminded myself I was there for the experience. I took a deep breath and turned my head and smiled at the judge. I was very proud of the package I brought within such a short period of time.Anita
Paying it forward
Anita’s ambitions didn’t stop at her own transformation. She wants to bring the same generosity to others that helped get her there, and believes a great coach succeeds by helping the people around them succeed too.
Be generous with your time and knowledge. A great coach will always want to help you become the best version of yourself. You can only become a successful coach when you help others to be successful.Anita
What she’d tell you
That mindset carries into the advice she now gives to anyone considering their first show, or their first step into fitness generally.
We may look glamorous on stage, but we all have put in the time and effort to get to that point. It’s about the whole journey, not just one day. All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. Never stop working towards what you want to achieve; we are capable of so much more than we know.Anita
What began as a way out of a downward spiral became one of the proudest moments of Anita’s life.
Coached at ATP Personal Training Singapore
