As a former NABBA Miss World, 2nd place at the Miss Universe and holder of a WBFF pro card, Lesley-Ann Armstrong has achieved a huge amount in her bodybuilding career. Now, she is aiming for the pinnacle of her career. An IFBB PRO Card!
Determined to join the elite tier of competitors, Lesley-Ann had already missed out on her pro card in previous attempts (back when they weren’t seemingly given out to every competitor in the line-up). Her dream was to become the 1st female from Ireland to hold an IFBB Pro Card. The Northern Ireland native, was determined, however!
At the IFBB Diamond Cup (held in Liverpool) she aimed to achieve this dream….
taking over, not taking part!
“I was the only competitor from Northern Ireland ,” said Lesley-Ann. “I was competing in the women’s physique class which is the highest standard, you need to be extremely dry, lean and muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing”.
Even though she wasn’t able to score a first place finish – she was now more determined than ever to grab that elusive pro card. From the 30 countries that had eligible competitors, only 12 were able to compete. That made the list an elite one.
Despite the gruelling training regime Lesley-Ann was putting herself through at Extreme gym in County Derry (also Aaron’s Jym, Magherfelt), she has the determined resolve to make her name in the top flight of body-building.
not yet vegan
At the height of her training Lesley-Ann was training three times a day and feasting on a diet of mostly white fish and low or no carbs.
“It is tough, but when you get used to it, when you see your body changing you know that it works,” she revealed.
“I was eating white fish three times a day – simply because it worked for me and it’s a good source of protein. I cut back on the carbs, and was really following a no carb diet.”
“It’s a long time to be prepping for a competition and it takes its toll on your body. However, I now know what I need to do to get my IFBB pro card. This means so much to me, it is on my bucket list and will be the highlight of my career to get it.
“It means your achievements are recognised throughout the body-building world as being the best of the best and you compete at an international level.
“My goal is to compete at the Arnold Classic and I need my pro card for it but I know I can do it, I have the determination and I have the work ethic.”
The most interesting part of this prep is the point where Lesley-Ann Armstrong decided enough was enough and became a full vegan. The work she put into her prep, training and competing she now decided to put into animal welfare and raising awareness of the over farming and unnecessarily low standards of farming in some parts of the community. Read the article above to see where her work took her and how she used her fame to raise awareness locally.
The article covers a pig slaughterhouse, proposed for Lesley-Ann’s hometown in Ireland – you can sign the petition to help it get to the target total. either copy the link or click anywhere here and you should be able to go straight there. (I have already signed it, if you were curious).
https://chng.it/qqfsZ28P2H
warrior and a lady.
