SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Bodybuilding is more than just maintaining a toned physique. It’s a lifestyle, and it requires sacrifices to maintain it.
“I always say this: achieving your goals is great, but exceeding them is the best feeling in the world.”
In the world of bodybuilding, consistency is key. Some members of the International Federation of Bodybuilding Professionals say maintaining their health and wellness goals and committing to a fitness program helps them stay healthy and focused.
“You’re only as old as you feel,” says professional Classic Physique competitor Harold Bright. No matter your age, Bright says the best thing you can do is get started now.
“I’m 53, and a lot of younger guys stop around 35, and that’s when I started,” Bright says. “Once they hit 35, a lot of younger guys start to think they’re old, but I turn that around. I’m 53, and I’m still beating guys in their 20s.”
Eric Wilberger is a professional Classic Physique athlete who has competed all over the world and is a back-to-back Optimum Classic winner as a Classic Physique competitor. Bodybuilding is his passion and he wants to inspire others to be the best version of themselves.
“I just want to motivate people to go to the gym, get healthy, lose weight or gain weight,” Eric Wilberger said. “This isn’t just about bodybuilding, this is about life, this is about lifestyle, making people healthier, making people more confident.”
Ashley Janelle competed at the Optimum Classic in 2018 and 2019, winning the overall title as back-to-back IFBB champions. Though she is now focused on her business, she still emphasizes the importance of consistency in training, diet and exercise.
“Stay active and set goals for yourself. I don’t compete anymore, but I tell myself to exercise 30 minutes a day,” says Ashley Janelle. “Whether it’s a walk, a hot girl walk, or even a walking treadmill if you’re working from home. Start there and you’ll feel like you have to do this every day. It’s all about building a habit.”
Many people find it hard to stay motivated, but to do so you need to set clear, achievable goals and work with a great coach – a strategy IFBB pros have developed over time.
Ashley Kaltwasser, who has 45 professional wins and is the most victorious IFBB bikini athlete of all time, says gratitude is what motivates her.
“But I think what keeps me going is gratitude. I don’t want to get used to it, because I don’t want to get bored of it,” Ashley Kaltwasser said. “So when I win, it feels like I’m tasting my first win all over again. It’s amazing for me, so as long as I keep that mindset, it keeps me going.”
In a world where instant results are often expected, these IFBB Pros remind us that success in bodybuilding is a marathon, not a sprint. Their consistent training, disciplined nutrition, and dedication to mental wellness serve as a powerful blueprint for anyone striving for fitness and health greatness.
