Trojan caught up with Former National Bodybuilding Champion Gina Ford to find out what got her started in the sport, what her biggest achivements were, how she plans to stay active in the sport now that has retired from competing - and what she's up to now! Here's what she had to say.
"I started competing 11 years ago when 2 girls from the gym where I was training talked me into taking part. I only had 5 weeks to prepare and managed to get 2nd in the NABBA West Britain's .............. from then on I was hooked.
I had always been into fitiness, when I left school at 17 I went straight into professional dancing. I had trained in ballet, tap and jazz, passing many exams up to grade Advanced. I was lucky enough to work all over the world as well as in England with people like Lenny Henry the comedian, Bruce Forsythe, the late Bob Monkhouse. My best job abroad was in America working there for 2 years as a dancer, but while I was there I worked with a Magician and the work with him took us to Vegas, and I also became an animal trainer, helping to train baboons, leopards and pigs!! Yes pigs!
Once I gave up the dancing I put my energy into becoming a fitness instructor and personal trainer, passing my qualifications in weight training, body conditioning and personal training. Hence this put me on the path of body building and competing. As mentioned at the beginning my first competition I only had 5 weeks to prepare I managed to place 2nd at my regional and qualified for my 1st Britain Final.
In those 11 years I only had 1 year off as I had to have neuro surgery which was quite serious, I couldn't train for 6 months, and for the rest of that year I put my energy into judging. I went back to training as soon as possible and then back to competing in 2007.
This year 2010, I am not competing all through 2009 I had a serious shoulder complaint which has put me back and I am waiting to see a shoulder consultant which may end in surgery.......watch this space. Now I am helping others as well as doing a lot of judging (hopefully) this year. Seeing I am nearly 48 I have decided to leave it to the younger ones. I can't stop completely and helped a few people last year with some advise, I am sure they won't mind me mentioning them, Dave Guest, Dan Barry (sponsored by Trojan), Dan Hall, Laura Butler and I am now consulting a couple of new guys, who will be starting this year, and a young lady.
I am available for consulting any one else who maybe interested in competing and you can contact me through Trojan or on my email which is ginamf@msn.com."
Gina is also doing some writing for the Beef Magazine, hopefully writing on the West Britain this year, and the article that is in this edition of the Beef is Trojan's Sponsored bodybuilder Dave Guest!
Take at look at Gina's Achievement's over the years!! Impressive to say the least we think you'll agree!!
ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE;
1999 NABBA Miss Fitness South Britain Winner
NABBA Miss Fitness West Britain Winner and Miss Figure West Britain Winner
2000 NABBA Miss Fitness West Britain Winner
NABBA Miss Fitness Britain Finals Winner
NABBA Miss Fitness Universe 3rd Place
NABBA Miss Fitness UK Open Winner
2001 NABBA Guest Poser at West Britain and Wales as Fitness Champion 2000
NABBA Miss Figure Britain Finals 6th Place
NABBA Miss Figure Universe 8th Place
2002 NABBA Miss Figure West Britain 2nd Place
NABBA Miss Figure Britain Finals (no placing)
WPF Miss Figure Wales Winner
WPF Miss Figure Worlds-France 6th Place
2003 WPF Miss Figure Celtic Winner
WPF Miss Figure Europeans-Strasbourg 7th Place
IBFA Miss Figure Europeans-Sapri Italy 2nd Place
WPF Miss Figure Wales Winner
WPF Miss Figure Worlds-France (no placing)
2004 IBFA Miss Figure Europeans-Sapri Italy 2nd Place
IBFA Miss Fitness Europeans-Sapri Italy 5th Place
2005 NABBA Miss Figure Britain Finals 5th Place
WPF Miss Figure Celtic Winner
NABBA Miss Figure Universe 9th Place
2007 NABBA Miss Toned Figure West Britain Winner (only female in NABBA to hold the all 3 female titles TONED, FITNESS and Figure)
NABBA Miss Figure England 2nd Place
2009 NABBA Miss Figure West Britain 2nd Place
NABBA Miss Figure Britain Finals 3rd Place
NABBA Miss Figure Universe 8th Place
Dont forget you can contact Gina direct at ginamf@msn.com!
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