Local body builder Barb Travis is going for gold in October on the national stage after winning the provincial gold medal in her category.
“I was in nationals in Vancouver and I placed fourth, but I really want first… I am really driven this time,” she said
Travis works out at Everybody’s Gym in Drumheller. Her trainer is Maranda Lessard of One-to-1 Fitness in Red Deer. Maranda and her husband Pat Lessard both compete in fitness and bodybuilding. Her regiment includes strength training five days a week and cardio seven days a week. It also takes a strict diet.
Travis started going to the gym to work out in 2005. By 2007 she started competing.
“I always wanted to get into it and see what I could do, and it seems like a natural progression,” she said.
She is unsure about what kind of competition will be at nationals, only that it will be a wider field with possibly up to three competitors from each province. Her experience may help her.
“If you have done it a few times you get more confident in your poses, because it is hard being up there in front of people but it comes with the more you do it,” said Travis.
After nationals, she is planning to retire from competition.
Nonetheless, her experience puts her on route to continuing a healthy lifestyle. She will continue to exercise and eat well.
“The good thing about it is you’ll never quit training, but it is an obsessive lifestyle when you have to get ready for competition. I just want to do it on my own, and it is a good way to stay in shape,” she said.
