When I had first gotten into bodybuilding and was preparing for my first show I didn’t have a clue as to how important posing aspect of it was. I was hyper-focused on my diet and training and not a lot of thought was given to stage presentation other than what color bikini I wanted. It wasn’t until later I learned that I needed to perfect how I was showcasing my physique.

Posing is a vital component to your stage presentation and ultimately is what is going to get you closer to that 1st place trophy. Over the years the bikini category has gotten much more competitive — a pretty face with abs just won’t cut it anymore. I’ve learned first hand that your first impression on the judges and your overall stage presence is key. It is easy- especially at larger, more crowded shows- to get lost in the shuffle, in a sea of pretty faces, big hair and glitter. Personally, I knew I would never be comfortable using the same, often over-the-top routines that the other women were using. The solution? I took advantage of the freedom and flexibility that the bikini class allows. I challenged myself to bring something different- perfectly polished with the right amount of sass.