concept but not something she could realistically achieve. However, for figure competitor and fitness model, Belinda Benn, the concept of turning back time is not just a nice idea; it is part of her daily reality!
At the age of 45 she has just competed in her first figure competition (Miss Gym 2009 Panama) where she placed 2nd overall. She has also been featured in several advertising campaigns and has been interviewed by many fitness orientated magazines. Hard to believe that just a few years ago Belinda was a pretty straight laced executive, successful yes, but hardly a fitness role model.
So my first question just had to be what triggered an ‘everyday unfit executive' (her words not mine) to make such a dramatic life change? A change which began with taking up surfing at age 38?
"Like many people I was caught up in the responsibilities of being married with an executive job and all the commitments that go with it. The trigger for change came at my mother's 60th birthday when she talked about her lifetime dreams. It was a shock for me to realize I had no deep personal dreams, just goals associated with work and finances. I had lost touch with doing things just for me! Then I remembered my childhood dream of learning to surf. That was the beginning of my transformation - my body and my life."
How did your friends/ family respond to this change?
"My family was thrilled. They told me this was the "real Belinda" - after years of me being what everyone else expected me to be. My sister reminded me I had always been adventurous as a child and she was excited to be part of my new journey - for example we hired a campervan and did a surf trip together along the east coast of Australia! My friends on the other hand were bewildered, some still are - the change has been very dramatic. But amongst them I now have many very loyal fans that are incredibly supportive."
On your website you go into a lot of detail regarding your experiences with biological age testing. How did you become involved with this practice?
"I have a background in the cosmetic industry and trained in Japan. Through my work I studied various theories of aging and know the importance of genetics, diet, hormones, lifestyle etc. I figured my physiology must be playing a big part in my ability to train and see results later in life and was curious to investigate more. The BioFit Centre in Panamá which specializes in elite athlete training offered to sponsor me. They ran the test and from this we developed my current diet and training plan. Since I have only just started it will take a few years yet to reach my full potential - knowing that is very motivating!"
According to your test results, your ‘biological age' was determined as being 30 and some of your other results were reported as being the most outstanding in the history of the test. Given this I think it is fair to say that you must have been doing something right before you even set foot in the gym. What do you attribute this to?
"Great question and something I have often asked myself! I have always tried to make time to nurture myself, say with a massage or an afternoon nap and to this day still enjoy those little things and find they make all the difference. It may sound strange but from a mental perspective (which I believe is critical to seeing great results) the lessons I learnt as a professional musician - the discipline, the ability to sustain a very intense focus, the mind-muscle connection, long term commitment, skill acquisition and performance under pressure - helped me a lot at the beginning of my fitness journey and to this day enable me to continually push myself to see great results."
Do you think people put too much emphasis on their chronological age to the extent of placing limitations on what they do because it is not considered ‘age appropriate"
"Age discrimination is an interesting phenomenon. At 29 I was the National Training Manager of Shiseido Australia. I managed staff up to 20 or more years older than myself. I was judged as being too young but over time that was proved wrong. Now I find myself in the reverse situation! Feelings of what is "age appropriate" tend to sneak up on us, without realizing - until we are challenged to try something new! Suddenly we have a fear of the unknown, a lack of self confidence and insecurity at what other people may think. I believe staying young inside and out is about challenging that mindset - being willing to go outside our comfort zone, take risks and try new things. After all that is the trademark of youth! I read a study a while back how someone argued that resistance to learning or trying new things was the main cause of premature aging and you know, I would have to agree! When we try something new whether it is mental or physical, it regenerates our mind and body - a natural anti-aging treatment!"
If you had to ‘age yourself' what number would you come up with?
"
Hmm, let's see. I do my boxing training with young teenage boys and keep up with 2 hours of intense workouts, sparring and drills. From my lovers I have been told 20's. From my gym mates regarding my physique - 30 years. I would like to think I have the wisdom of someone in their 60's with the adventurous spirit of someone in their 20´s. So average all that out and I will take 30 years old!"
I often wonder if placing yourself mentally at a different age has an impact on your approach to life and its possibilities. Personally, I gave myself a ‘birthday gift' when I turned 45 last year...I mentally subtracted 10 years to make up for the part of my life I missed when I was not living in New York (lol!)....your thoughts on the mental impact of focusing on age?
"Not focusing on your age as a determinate of what you can and can't do has a huge impact on your ability to enjoy life to the full. That doesn't mean you try to "act" younger - just be yourself but without the limits of what society says is appropriate for your age. Living in Panamá, Central America has helped me to break free of feeling judged in that way. Being a foreigner it is harder for people to put me in a box and they are more accepting of differences with less pressure to conform. For that I am very grateful. I am proud of my age, I don't try to hide it and people can take me or leave me as I am. I think aging in a healthy way into the future depends on feeling very good about yourself and that starts now - whether you are 25, 30, 40 or 60! The sooner you start developing positive thoughts and feelings about getting older the easier it will be to remain happy and content long into our golden years!"
Moving on to your diet, what macro-nutrient ratios do you favor and are you an advocate of small frequent feedings?
"Since I began training with weights last year I have never eaten better in my life. Learning about what the body requires to build muscle and eating accordingly has meant a huge change for the better in my diet. I don't micromanage my food - but follow general principles. I try to eat more frequently with smaller portions. I eat gluten free complex carbohydrates before and after training. Protein is spaced throughout the day and no carbs at night. I have one day a week to break my diet and eat whatever I want. I try to focus on what I need to eat to build muscle rather than what I can't eat. If I really want something I will have it, just in a small portion. I try to listen to my body as to how much to eat and when I am full I stop. While leaning out I maintain a very strict diet - similar ratios just smaller quantities and absolutely no cheating! In the future VIP section on my site I will provide the specific details of my diet plans according to each phase of training."
Any supplements you favor?
I use protein powder, creatine and BCAA's.
You recently did your first show, where do you see yourself progressing on the competition front and will you go ‘figure' or bodybuilding?
"Good question! What got me started was the Flex online bikini competition - I placed in the top 10 for the month I competed, against girls more than 20 years younger than me! However, I am a natural drug free athlete, 5' 6", rather petite with nice muscle proportions and the ability to go very lean. In the figure category I am not sure I could develop the muscle volume necessary to compete at a high level. Where does that put me? Probably more in the fitness model category to be honest but I will keep competing in figure because I loved being on stage and learnt a lot about how to fine tune my condition which will help me prepare for future photo shoots."
You live in Panama, which keeps you pretty detached from the center of Female Bodybuilding; do you consider this a good thing or can it be a problem?
"Yes and no. Living in Panama has forced me to make the most of all the resources online. I have an MBA specializing in electronic commerce so I understand the power of the internet in reaching people. Through my online networking I have been published in the US and in Australia and have great contacts around the world. The downside to being here is the difficulty getting quality information from inside the industry because I don't have the chance to meet people in person. Also, I need coaching on posing for example - which is impossible to get locally. I love my lifestyle in Panama and if I can keep living here while building a profitable business within the fitness industry I will be over the moon!"
Any future plans to compete in the USA?
"In the near future I hope to compete in the US or at least participate within an industry event. I think it is very important for my credibility - so people can meet me in person and see that my physique is what the photos say it is! For this reason I am also working on a video series from photo shoots and workouts so fans can see what I look like in everyday life."
Taking a trip into the future...where do you want to be both in and out of the sport in 5 years time?
"My big picture goal is to produce materials to inspire younger girls in their personal journey - whether it is to be fit, follow their dreams or just believe in themselves. I already have thousands of girl fans that are looking for inspirational role models and physiques that are strong, sexy and empowered - and these fans are very loyal! So I hope to keep challenging the age stereotypes and increase my credibility as a spokesperson for being strong and staying young. On a personal level, I am a romantic. I hope to be with someone who desires my body, loves me for who I am on the inside and inspires me to be the best I can be!"
And your immediate plans?
"This year I am training very hard to develop my physique and working towards launching the VIP section of my website: www.belindabenn.com I also just completed a series of new photo shoots and hope to see my work published in more magazines around the world highlighting my story of how an everyday middle aged divorcee who thought she was over the hill discovered a new life as a fitness model!"
Care to leave us with an inspiring thought?
"Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do!"
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