Hard work pays off for Gaywood bodybuilding mum

An inspiring King’s Lynn woman has finally achieved her dream after years of intensive work by being crowned winner of several bodybuilding competitions.Amy Smith, 37, was first in the Trained Bikini category in events at Wolverhampton and Telford before following it up with wins in the Fitbody and Overall Champion categories at Dunstable.The Gaywood mum also wowed the judges by finishing second in the Trained Figure Section at Dunstable and third in the Trained Bikini category at Hull.Amy began her bodybuilding journey almost three years ago after suffering from post-natal depression with her firstborn and gaining almost five stone.She received therapy from Norfolk Mind to help with her weight loss and hasn’t looked back since.”I decided, after my daughter was born, to work on my fitness,” she said.”I lost four stone by doing fitness classes three or four times a week. After losing that weight I realised I wanted to up my game and started using weights to gain muscle.”I trained for two years and then decided to get a coach to take me to the next level for bodybuilding competitions. “Bodybuilding is something I have been brought up with. My dad used to weight train and wanted to compete himself but couldn’t afford it at the time. “I remember watching bodybuilding competitions on television with my dad, thinking to myself “Wow, they look like superheroes”.”Now two-and-a-half years later I am achieving my dream. I am just a regular mum and wife and now living my best life and now look like the superheroes on TV.”Amy’s success will see her compete in the Supernaturals with the WNBF Federation and the British Finals for the PCA Federation in October, where she will be working hard to gain her Pro Card. Next year, Amy plans to become a PT to help other people with health and fitness.”I have a very supportive husband (Matt), a great coach (Dannii Pickstock, Viking Coaching) and a great PT at my local gym (Mark Nightingale, Heroes Gym),” she said. “They have, not only, helped me reach my goal but also helped me to achieve more than I expected.”Getting into bodybuilding has changed my life. My body and my mind are happy and healthy. I know more about nutrition and exercise to help me perform and live a better life, not just for myself, but also for my family.”