Cheryl Mitchell
Bodybuilder and Pro Figure Athlete

As a middle school teacher, I like to set a good example of healthy, active living for my kids. I coach football and volleyball every year and encourage them to bring healthy snacks to eat throughout the day to keep their minds sharp. I am a big believer in the mind-body-spirit connection and try to teach my kids the value of all three areas and their interconnectedness.

I have always been active, running track in my school years and riding horses from the age of ten. In my post-secondary years I began to weight train as an aid to my middle distance running which I was beginning to take more seriously. I entered several 10 K races and also took up touch football and beach volleyball. After several knee injuries my running tapered off and I spent more and more time in the gym. After a year of serious training I was approached by Lyzabeth Lopez (WNSO athlete) who suggested that I try a competition. I logged onto the WNSO website and have never looked back!

My first show was FAME 2003. I decided that I would enter the Fitness Model category as I don’t have a strong gymnastic or dance background. With the help of Ian Walling, I placed very well and proceeded to take 5th place at the 2003 Molson Indy Fitness Model Search. I did a third show that year with Neutron Fitness and took 2nd place. With constant improvement each show, I became even more determined and began immediately planning out my next competitive year. This year I was ready for a bigger challenge. I took on the Figure and Bodybuilding divisions! It was time to put together a routine and train hard to build up my muscle mass and lean out for FAME 2004! After another year of hard work and the help of Liz Curtis, Ian Walling and Daryl Gazey, I took first place in Buffalo NY at the INBF Super Natural in both Figure and Heavyweight bodybuilding divisions. I was also awarded overall Figure Champion and my first Pro Card. I was ready for FAME!

When the day finally arrived I was as ready as I’ve ever been. My parents came from Kingston to see me compete for the first time and I took third place in bodybuilding and first place in Figure, receiving my WNSO Pro Card! What a spectacular moment! I will never forget that day with my parents and friends there to support me and all my hard work paying off. It’s such a great feeling to be on stage with the caliber of athlete that the WNSO attracts and to do so well. I was absolutely honored!

Now I am busy planning out my 2005 schedule and am anticipating another great year. Training is such an important part of my life and to have access to an organization that allows me to showcase my love of the sport and allows for Canadian athletes to become Pro Athletes all in a natural setting is so fulfilling.

I was certified by CanFitPro as a Personal Trainer in August and am currently working towards my Holistic Nutritionist Certification. In the future I would like to open my own Gym and Health and Wellness center. I am also working on magazine coverage, a personal website, and working with the FAME Agency in hopes of involving myself in print and Television work. You can contact me at musclesmitchell@yahoo.ca