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There's more to me, than meets the eye!
The Athlete
Many, many years ago, I suffered from a severe eating disorder, anorexia nervosa - my body image was sorely distorted. It wasn't until I was introduced to weight lifting did I begin to understand what foods' real intention was in my life. No longer was it an enemy, a plague. It became a tool for changing a body that I thought was all wrong. My legs were too stumpy, my tummy too soft, my hips too big. Basically I was bottom heavy. I suppose that was a blessing when it came to running track, because I was quite good at it. But it wasn't what I saw on TV or in the magazines. Clothes never fit me they way they fit they should. But with some gentle persuasion from an inspirational lady, I found my way to the weight room, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I started my bodybuilding career in 1992, training for two years until my first bodybuilding show in 1994. I weighed 102 lbs. I didn't have much, but I had abs and little biceps!! Having been a dancer all my life, the lure of the stage reeled me in and I was hooked! I absolutely loved the performance aspect of this sport!! I continued to compete annually, doing show after show, learning more about my body with each competition.
In 1995 I wanted to enter BOTH the fitness and the lightweight bodybuilding entries at a National Qualifier in Portland. I had started choreography and private gymnastics lessons to get my fitness routine up to par. Well, my plans got preempted by an unexpected pregnancy that turned out to be one of the best things I've ever done in my life. My daughter Erin was born in February of 1997. I competed just 6 months later in fitness at Fitness America. And, although I loved fitness, my passion was with bodybuilding and decided to pursue that instead.
In 1998 I qualified for Nationals by winning the Northwest bodybuilding show middle weights. I qualified onstage with a fellow IFBB Pro Mah-Ann Mendoza. What a huge honor that was for me!
Since I qualified for nationals, I decided to take a year off to add some size, so I when I stepped on the USA stage in 2000, I was much heavier. I weighed in at 142 and placed
6th.
In 2001 I figured out that I needed to be tighter and came to the USA's as a middleweight placing 2nd.
Obviously this sport is trial and error, until you figure out what works best and in 2002, I placed 3rd at the USA's.
After much consideration and deliberation, I came to the conclusion that I'd never turn pro at the USA's, having to have to win the overall, so I opted to do Nationals in 2003. It was the first year that I implemented nearly 10 years of competitive history and dialed in perfectly! The feeling of finally achieving a goal I'd been pursuing for over 10 years was phenomenal! I was finally an IFBB Pro!!
I took a much needed rest after earning my pro card and finally settled on Betty Pariso's Europa Show as my pro debut! What an amazing show! Betty really knows how to treat people!! I achieved my goal of qualifying for the Olympia by winning the lightweights at my pro debut!
So finally, after 11 years of never missing a workout, or a meal, and after thousands (and I mean thousands) of hours of cardio, I was worthy of stepping on stage with the best of the best - THE OLYMPIA!! What a surreal feeling it was to have my airfare and hotel provided for, and to be given a per diem to compete!!!
My Olympia experience was not quite what I'd dreamed it to be. Now, I didn't expect to win…. nothing even close to that, but I had dreamed this to be such a prestigious event, and, well… it didn't feel all that prestigious. They crammed us into the back of an Expo hall and made it feel less than it should. I learned something very important by doing it. It's not being at the top that's so rewarding, its THE JOURNEY to reach the top. I wouldn't trade the journey for anything.
TONIA'S ATHLETIC GALLERY 
MORE ABOUT TONIA |
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