IN THE BEGINNING...
NOVEMBER 1991 - I married my high school sweetheart, Craig Powell. Sixteen
years and two kids later we are stronger, wiser and healthier. We are missionaries
spreading the truth for everyone looking for the "fountain of youth." There is not a simple
answer nor is there a quick fix. If you want to slow the aging process you have to compete
against it. Fight hunger and conquer your weaknesses. Train hard. Lift weights. Do
cardio. Eat clean. No one said it would be easy and if they did then they're filling you
with false promises. Welcome to my world.
JANUARY 1992 - I joined my first gym, did my first aerobic class, squatted my first leg
workout. I fell in love with lifting and all the benefits that came along with it. I am an
artist, sculpting my physique, perfecting my lines, my symmetry and overall balance. My
body is my art, my strength, my creation. I yearned to compete from the moment I lifted a
weight, but knew fitness was a long shot with my bad back and I wasn't all that
interested in female bodybuilding...though the thought crossed my mind on more than one
occasion.
MAY 2003 - Entered my first NPC Figure competition, The Francois Classic, it was
also the inaugural year of this new sport within the bodybuilding community. I was so
excited. Figure bodybuilding is judged with more emphasis on lines, symmetry, balance,
rather than bulk - it was exactly what I've been waiting for. I placed 19th out of 25 girls
in my first competition. I had no idea what I was doing and boy did it show! Being on
stage was such a thrilling experience and having my mom at my very first competition is
something so special, I'll never forget.
APRIL 2004 - I worked hard in my "off season" and placed 1st in my second figure
competition, The Natural Ohio. I was anxious to test my physique on a National Level
and Jr. Nationals was a short 9 weeks away.
JUNE 2004 - Jr. Nationals was one tough show! There were 30+ beautifully
sculpted girls in my class and I placed 12th! Yippee!! Within a couple days after leaving
the windy city of Chicago, I just didn't feel good. Was it the pizza and pecan pie I pigged
out on? Not quite...I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. Surprise! This put a slight
"detour" into my figure career, but I was not giving up that easy. I worked out up until
the day I delivered my daughter. Did I stay lean? Not by a long shot. I gained 48+
pounds during my pregnancy, but I stayed in it "mentally" and that's half the battle.
FEBRUARY 2005 - My daughter Peyton arrived just in time for me to attend the 2005
Arnold Classic. I was chomping at the bit to see the Pro Figure show, so I packed up
the baby and away we went...I missed the smell of Pro Tan.
JUNE 2005 - Started dieting for my first two shows "post baby" - The Natural
Northern Ohio and the Kentucky State Championships. I nursed my baby all the
way until 6 weeks out from my first show. I placed 6th out of 9 girls at the Northern
Ohio and then went on to place 8th out of 19 girls in Kentucky. It was a start...I was
anxious for my 2006 competition season. I wanted to be back where I left off in 2004.
APRIL 2006 - Competed in The Natural Ohio and placed 3rd! I was very excited...it
was a great way to start my year. I then went on to place 1st at the Kentucky State
Championships. And to top it all off I was accepted into the first ever Arnold
Amateur Figure Competition to be held in my hometown of Columbus Ohio. I had much
work to do in my off season and I knew I would have to start dieting in December...that
terrified me! I love Christmas cookies!!!
MARCH 2007 - I survived dieting through the holidays and placed 12th out of 26 girls
at the Arnold Amateur. My conditioning was right on the money, but my posing needed
work...bad! I contacted Gary Udit who teaches "perfect posing" classes and arranged an
appointment before my next show, the 2007 Figure Nationals.
JULY 2007 - Well my posing session with Gary Udit paid off...big time! I placed 7th
at Figure Nationals out of 38 girls. I was in the first call out in round one, I was so
surprised...I just couldn't believe it! I had such a great time in New York and having my
sister, Heather and cousin Michelle there made it all that more special. I had my eyes on
my next show - the North American Championships. But first, I needed to schedule
another posing session with Gary...my stances needed some "fine tuning".
SEPTEMBER 2007 - My 2007 competition season has come to an end. I placed 7th in
the open Figure at the North American Championships and 2nd in the Masters. I
finally got one of those beautiful gold sculpted trophies for my second place finish. I will
work on building a wider back and shoulders during my off season. My next show isn't
until Jr. Nationals...I've got lots of time to work on my physique. Throughout it all I've
had the love, support and encouragement from friends, family and most importantly, my
husband. He's been my confidant, trainer, chef and fitness coach. He is the Guru of health
and fitness.
JANUARY 2008 - Time goes so fast. I trained super heavy during these past 4 months
and have had my biggest strength gains to date. I'm happy with the size I've added to my
upper body and feel I've put together a more complete package for my 2008 season. I
didn't plan on dieting for Jr. Nationals until the end of February, but since I was selected
to work the Beast Sports Supplement Booth at the 2008 Arnold Classic I started
"cleaning" up my diet in December. It's OK though, I'm ready and I'm SO EXCITED!!! I
can't wait to be apart of the Arnold Classic Expo!! It's been my goal for many, many years
and I feel like an excited kid waiting for Christmas. Yippee!!!! Yea!!! One thing this
sport has taught me is patience ~and ~ perseverance does pay off. If you'll be attending
the Arnold Sports Festival Weekend, please stop by and say hello.
MAY 2009 - Wow, it has been over a year since I've updated this section! Well, 5
National shows combined with working the Arnold Classic and Olympia for Beast Sports
and entering the Flex bikini contest in Las Vegas, NV, didn't give me much free time. So
with that said, I am happy to be jottin' some thoughts down about my upcoming 2009
season. Kicked it off working the Arnold Classic for my boys at Beast Sports, gotta give
some props to them; I've really enjoyed working for such a great company with superior
products. Moving on...shows, shows, shows. I really wanted to start the year with the
USA's, it was one of the National shows that didn't make it on my circuit last year, but
sometimes life throws you a curve ball and schedules need readjusted. With that said, I
gave myself a little longer to get "mentally" ready for competing, and am thrilled to be
starting the 2009 season off in Cleveland, Ohio at the North American Championships.
Until then I am working hard, enjoying the beginning of summer with family and friends
and am looking forward to some balance within my sport of Figure.
FEBRUARY 2010 - Another year has come and gone. Without a doubt 2009 was the
toughest year for me in so many aspects; almost every aspect, but I made it through! I
competed in two shows and that was a feat all in itself. I look at the title to this page
and feel it's summed up so beautifully..."the journey". That is completely what life is all
about. How you fill that time is up to you, but for me fitness brings a strength that is
unlike any other and is how I've stayed strong through this roller coaster ride called Life.
I am ready for 2010 and feel the best is yet to come!
Cheers,
Holly
NOVEMBER 1991 - I married my high school sweetheart, Craig Powell. Sixteen
years and two kids later we are stronger, wiser and healthier. We are missionaries
spreading the truth for everyone looking for the "fountain of youth." There is not a simple
answer nor is there a quick fix. If you want to slow the aging process you have to compete
against it. Fight hunger and conquer your weaknesses. Train hard. Lift weights. Do
cardio. Eat clean. No one said it would be easy and if they did then they're filling you
with false promises. Welcome to my world.
JANUARY 1992 - I joined my first gym, did my first aerobic class, squatted my first leg
workout. I fell in love with lifting and all the benefits that came along with it. I am an
artist, sculpting my physique, perfecting my lines, my symmetry and overall balance. My
body is my art, my strength, my creation. I yearned to compete from the moment I lifted a
weight, but knew fitness was a long shot with my bad back and I wasn't all that
interested in female bodybuilding...though the thought crossed my mind on more than one
occasion.
MAY 2003 - Entered my first NPC Figure competition, The Francois Classic, it was
also the inaugural year of this new sport within the bodybuilding community. I was so
excited. Figure bodybuilding is judged with more emphasis on lines, symmetry, balance,
rather than bulk - it was exactly what I've been waiting for. I placed 19th out of 25 girls
in my first competition. I had no idea what I was doing and boy did it show! Being on
stage was such a thrilling experience and having my mom at my very first competition is
something so special, I'll never forget.
APRIL 2004 - I worked hard in my "off season" and placed 1st in my second figure
competition, The Natural Ohio. I was anxious to test my physique on a National Level
and Jr. Nationals was a short 9 weeks away.
JUNE 2004 - Jr. Nationals was one tough show! There were 30+ beautifully
sculpted girls in my class and I placed 12th! Yippee!! Within a couple days after leaving
the windy city of Chicago, I just didn't feel good. Was it the pizza and pecan pie I pigged
out on? Not quite...I found out I was 5 weeks pregnant. Surprise! This put a slight
"detour" into my figure career, but I was not giving up that easy. I worked out up until
the day I delivered my daughter. Did I stay lean? Not by a long shot. I gained 48+
pounds during my pregnancy, but I stayed in it "mentally" and that's half the battle.
FEBRUARY 2005 - My daughter Peyton arrived just in time for me to attend the 2005
Arnold Classic. I was chomping at the bit to see the Pro Figure show, so I packed up
the baby and away we went...I missed the smell of Pro Tan.
JUNE 2005 - Started dieting for my first two shows "post baby" - The Natural
Northern Ohio and the Kentucky State Championships. I nursed my baby all the
way until 6 weeks out from my first show. I placed 6th out of 9 girls at the Northern
Ohio and then went on to place 8th out of 19 girls in Kentucky. It was a start...I was
anxious for my 2006 competition season. I wanted to be back where I left off in 2004.
APRIL 2006 - Competed in The Natural Ohio and placed 3rd! I was very excited...it
was a great way to start my year. I then went on to place 1st at the Kentucky State
Championships. And to top it all off I was accepted into the first ever Arnold
Amateur Figure Competition to be held in my hometown of Columbus Ohio. I had much
work to do in my off season and I knew I would have to start dieting in December...that
terrified me! I love Christmas cookies!!!
MARCH 2007 - I survived dieting through the holidays and placed 12th out of 26 girls
at the Arnold Amateur. My conditioning was right on the money, but my posing needed
work...bad! I contacted Gary Udit who teaches "perfect posing" classes and arranged an
appointment before my next show, the 2007 Figure Nationals.
JULY 2007 - Well my posing session with Gary Udit paid off...big time! I placed 7th
at Figure Nationals out of 38 girls. I was in the first call out in round one, I was so
surprised...I just couldn't believe it! I had such a great time in New York and having my
sister, Heather and cousin Michelle there made it all that more special. I had my eyes on
my next show - the North American Championships. But first, I needed to schedule
another posing session with Gary...my stances needed some "fine tuning".
SEPTEMBER 2007 - My 2007 competition season has come to an end. I placed 7th in
the open Figure at the North American Championships and 2nd in the Masters. I
finally got one of those beautiful gold sculpted trophies for my second place finish. I will
work on building a wider back and shoulders during my off season. My next show isn't
until Jr. Nationals...I've got lots of time to work on my physique. Throughout it all I've
had the love, support and encouragement from friends, family and most importantly, my
husband. He's been my confidant, trainer, chef and fitness coach. He is the Guru of health
and fitness.
JANUARY 2008 - Time goes so fast. I trained super heavy during these past 4 months
and have had my biggest strength gains to date. I'm happy with the size I've added to my
upper body and feel I've put together a more complete package for my 2008 season. I
didn't plan on dieting for Jr. Nationals until the end of February, but since I was selected
to work the Beast Sports Supplement Booth at the 2008 Arnold Classic I started
"cleaning" up my diet in December. It's OK though, I'm ready and I'm SO EXCITED!!! I
can't wait to be apart of the Arnold Classic Expo!! It's been my goal for many, many years
and I feel like an excited kid waiting for Christmas. Yippee!!!! Yea!!! One thing this
sport has taught me is patience ~and ~ perseverance does pay off. If you'll be attending
the Arnold Sports Festival Weekend, please stop by and say hello.
MAY 2009 - Wow, it has been over a year since I've updated this section! Well, 5
National shows combined with working the Arnold Classic and Olympia for Beast Sports
and entering the Flex bikini contest in Las Vegas, NV, didn't give me much free time. So
with that said, I am happy to be jottin' some thoughts down about my upcoming 2009
season. Kicked it off working the Arnold Classic for my boys at Beast Sports, gotta give
some props to them; I've really enjoyed working for such a great company with superior
products. Moving on...shows, shows, shows. I really wanted to start the year with the
USA's, it was one of the National shows that didn't make it on my circuit last year, but
sometimes life throws you a curve ball and schedules need readjusted. With that said, I
gave myself a little longer to get "mentally" ready for competing, and am thrilled to be
starting the 2009 season off in Cleveland, Ohio at the North American Championships.
Until then I am working hard, enjoying the beginning of summer with family and friends
and am looking forward to some balance within my sport of Figure.
FEBRUARY 2010 - Another year has come and gone. Without a doubt 2009 was the
toughest year for me in so many aspects; almost every aspect, but I made it through! I
competed in two shows and that was a feat all in itself. I look at the title to this page
and feel it's summed up so beautifully..."the journey". That is completely what life is all
about. How you fill that time is up to you, but for me fitness brings a strength that is
unlike any other and is how I've stayed strong through this roller coaster ride called Life.
I am ready for 2010 and feel the best is yet to come!
Cheers,
Holly