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Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Panny Powell
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: September 12, 1986
Hometown: I have 3: Bangkok, Thailand; Berlin, Germany and currently living in Lorton, Virginia
Career: Soon to be certified Personal Trainer, Nanny (former Au Pair from Germany)
How does your family respond to your competing?
It’s still hard for my family to understand what exactly it is that I do since they live in Thailand and Germany and have never seen or heard much about the bodybuilding industry until I started competing about 2 years ago. They have never seen me do the shows live but have only been able to follow my journey through social media. But the reaction I got when I went back home to visit after my transformation was priceless. They can tell how passionate I am about it and how positively it changed me as a person inside and out and are very proud and supportive.
What kind of goals have you set for yourself, short-term and long-term?
My short-term goals are little self-improvements. I constantly try to learn something new about exercise and nutrition by reading through the internet, books or magazines. I also always try to find ways to challenge myself physically and mentally with a new goal, like a competition. It keeps me motivated and committed and it helps me grow.
One of my long-term goals is to stay committed to a healthy lifestyle, no matter if I compete or not. I was eating unhealthy most of my life, especially in my teenage years and had a difficult time balancing my weight. I didn’t know what good nutrition and exercise can do to your body until I started this fitness journey. And even though I cut fast food completely out of my life, I still love sweets. Old habits die hard and I constantly have to work at it.
My other goal is to be a public figure in the fitness industry to motivate and inspire others to take control of their lives. Helping others and making a differen
ce in people’s lives is the most rewarding feeling I can think of and gives me a sense of purpose. I’m willing to do the work and look forward to see what the future has in store for me.
What's currently on your iPod?
People think I’m crazy but I don’t listen to music when I work out. First, because I always jump around and sweat like crazy. I like to feel ‘free’ and not worry about anything hanging around my head or body. And second, I like to do positive self-talk in my head. I enjoy just being in ‘the zone’ with just me and my thoughts, no distractions, to make sure I can really focus and apply proper form of each exercise. Which is why I mostly prefer working out on my own.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of the bodybuilding world?
Before I discovered bodybuilding, I was very interested in different cultures and languages, which is what brought me to the US in the first place. I’ve lived on 3 continents and learned 5 languages in my life and speak 3 fluently (thai, german and english). It was a great base for my fitness journey because having to grow up and adapt in 3 such different countries and cultures has taught me to become strong and independent. I’m also very creative and like to draw and sing, but health and fitness has become my world, so everything I do revolves around it. It’s where my heart is and there is no other lifestyle I would rather live. Now my body is my artwork and since I’m too shy to sing in public I can still express myself through the competition stage.
Do you have a favorite exercise?
Not necessarily. I love working every part of my body, but if I had to choose I would say bicep curls. Having strong arms makes me feel powerful.
Competition history:
I’ve only done national qualifiers so far since I’m not a US citizen and you have to be one to attend national level shows.
MD State/ East Coast Classic, August 19th, 2011, 2nd place
Max Muscle Virginia Classic, April 28th, 2012, 2nd place
MD State/ East Coast Classic, June 30th, 2012, 1st place
Jay Cutler Baltim
ore Classic, August 25th, 2012. 1st place
Max Muscle Virginia Classic, April 20th, 2013, 3rd place
MD State/ East Coast Classic, June 22nd, 2013, 6th place ws with the NPC.
Next competition:
Arnold Classic, 2014
Favorite Fitness Tip:
Train your mind. To be able to stay committed to fitness, you truly have to train your mind often. It has 100% control over your body. And no matter how fit you are or how long you have been competing, you will still have days where you just don’t feel like doing anything and days of doubt. What works for me is watching motivational videos and reading motivational quotes or books from great athletes or other successful people. It will lift up your spirit. I also like to look through my transformation pictures. Seeing how far you have come will inspire you to keep going. When you keep your mind strong and clear, your body will follow.
Who would you like to thank?
First and foremost I would like to thank my husband, Kenny Powell. With him I decided to make a New Year’s resolution 4 years ago to start living a healthier lifestyle and to work out every single day of the year coming. We kept our word and made it through the year together. Training myself for every show is not easy, but having your best friend by your side every step of the way keeps me strong. His strong personality and work ethic inspires me to be the best me I can be.
I would also like to thank the people I have met along the way who saw potential in me, offered me help and gave me great advice and guided me in the right direction without wanting anything in return. I only surround myself with positive people who understand and believe in me and my dreams. They know who they are and know that I’m very grateful for their continued support.
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