I just came across a news story on Gabriela DeSilva, who is a 25 year old female bodybuilder. I always like seeing these things because they should motivate you. You’re not the only female that is doing this. It’s nice to see that you’re not going down a dark and lonely road on your own. You have people that are struggling through this journey and you need to know that sometimes.

Here is the rest of the story on this female bodybuilder:

Gabriela DeSilva could look forward to spokesmodeling, travel and the spotlight if she impresses judges at her first body building competition.
Advertisement

The 25-year-old Fishkill resident plans to compete at a fitness competition in Poughkeepsie organized by the International Natural Bodybuilding Fitness & Federation in October.

“I’m going out there as a personal goal. It should be fun,” DeSilva said.

She was scheduled to compete in Manhattan June 27.

“I ended up not competing because the tanning stuff they put on my body burned me. It was horrible. I was all ready to go,” she said.

Most bodybuilders don’t compete for money but do it for the challenge and to get their physique in excellent shape.

However, there is some money to be made eventually depending on success.

If DeSilva wins a national amateur event, she is allowed to compete on a professional level. If she wins a professional national event, she could find herself in photography studios posing for fitness supplement advertisements, calendars and more.

The lucky ones become fitness celebrities and that fame often leads to entrepreneurial opportunities such as fitness centers and personal training, maybe even Hollywood. Think of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Kim Koelbel, a trainer and nutritionist at the Millbrook Training Center, spent three years doing competitions in the 1990s, winning titles such as Ms. Fitness Eastern States Champion and Ms. Fitness USA New Jersey Champion.

As a result, Koelbel got the attention of Pump Magazine, HotSkins Fitness Wear, Pinnacle Supplement Advertising, Muscle Mag Publications and Powertek Ab Roller.

“If you win a national competition you will be splattered all over the place,” said Koelbel, 42, of Pleasant Valley. “If they like you and your look, you will get work. Can you make a living? A select few will, but it’s good to have a degree in the field.”

The International Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation’s Web site boasts it has 5,000 competitors and 35 events per year.

DeSilva will flex in a bathing suit, focusing in the figure competition.