SC: Thanks for the interview Leah. Can you please give us a description of yourself?

LW: Well, I will be 36 in June, I'm a single mom of two. I own and operate my own full time painting business. I also run an online fitness community, as well as design and sell women's gym shirts. When I have the time, I also do a bit of modelling as well.

SC: How long have you been into bodybuilding / weight training?

LW: I have been seriously bodybuilding for about 12 yrs now, although I have always dabbled in weights and fitness since I was 19 yrs old.  When I first started I did nothing more than arms and abs and a lot of bodyweight exercises. I began to read more about training and quickly realized the importance of training your whole body for a balanced physique.

SC: Tell us about how you got into bodybuilding?

LW: Well I did karate for 10 yrs and then started kickboxing. I wanted to increase my strength so I didn't get knocked around so much when I was training w/ the guys. Once I started seeing the changes in my physique from weight training, I started taking it more seriously and eventually weight training became my main focus and martial arts my accessory exercise.

SC: What or who inspired you to compete?

LW: I clearly remember watching Monica Brant doing a fitness competition, it was a news report on this "new type" of competition for fitness....and I honestly remember thinking that this fitness competition looked so weird and stupid, haha, but as the report went on it showed Monica during the symmetry rounds and I was just in awe at her physique, exactly what I wanted to look like. And that right then is when I decided to start competing! I began reading everything I could get my hands on, in print and online, about training, nutrition and competing. Shortly after that I began prepping for my first competition.

SC: Congratulations on winning the Women’s Open at the very first Canadian Classic.  How did you feel winning the show?  You had some tough competition.

LW: It was absolutely amazing actually. It was the leanest I'd been as of yet, it was the most I'd ever enjoyed being on stage. For those that have done more than one show, it's sometimes hard to remember that wicked feeling you get onstage...especially when prep takes so long, weeks of dieting, hours of cardio, turning down one thing after another in favour of sticking to your plan...but it's that feeling, that adrenaline rush, of being on stage, that makes all the sacrifices worth it.

SC: What is your favourite body part to train?

LW: Don't really have one to be honest, I like it all....I guess if I had to pick a favourite, it would probably be legs.

SC: Do you have any advice for anyone looking to compete for their first time?

LW: I sure do...I think your first competition is pretty exciting....you don't really know what to expect and it's easy to become overwhelmed w/ the details of it all. First off, remember why you're doing it, this reason will be different for everyone, but always remember that it's supposed to be fun. Life sometimes gets in the way of competition prep, it can be stressful at times, it is your attitude that determines what kind of journey your prep will be like. Turn to your friends and family for support, and if they aren't supportive (this happens to a lot of us actually) then find someone online to support you. The fitness and bodybuilding community is vast, but we are scattered about, use the internet to your advantage.

Your first show should be all about learning and gaining experience. Read as much as you can get your hands on, learn everything you can, log everything you do and keep track of it. Seek out knowledgeable people and ask questions. If you hire a trainer, check out their references and make sure their training philosophies coincide w/ your own. If you can work w/ that person, then trust them, do not deviate from their plans. There are a hundred different ways to prep for a show, but every method requires consistency as a base.

SC: Do you train on your own or do you have a training partner?

LW: I currently train with my boyfriend when our schedules coincide, he does push me when I think I can't do something, and that is great for making progress, otherwise I train on my own. The majority of my training career has been spent on my own. I have only had two other training partners, besides my BF, that I felt were as serious about fitness and reaching goals as I was. I love socializing and hanging w/ friends, but when I'm prepping for a show and I'm in the gym, I'm all business.

SC: What about supplements? What are your favourites?

LW: I take a lot of health supplements....vitamins, fish oils, various herbal supplements. I hate getting sick and always try to assess current stress levels, recovery and ailments and take different immune boosters accordingly. In terms of bodybuilding, the only supplements I use on a regular basis is a basic energy booster and protein powder.

SC: As you know we are holding 2 IDFA PRO Shows this year on July 12, and November 8.  Will we see you there?

LW: Yep, I will be there for the women's pro bodybuilding in July. ...been waiting a long time for this one!

SC: Any final words?

LW: I would like to invite everyone to visit my website, I have a forum for anyone interested in overall fitness and bodybuilding. We have competitors, new athletes prepping for their first competition, and people just interested in leading a healthier lifestyle. Www.extreme-physique.com.

I'd also like to take the time to mention the new photo art book by John Stutz. Myself, along with over 100 other female fitness athletes, have been featured in this inspiring new book, due out late March.

SC: Thanks for the interview Leah.

LW: Thanks Shaun!