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Friday, 01 February 2008 |
I was born in Binghamton, NY (about an hour south of Syracuse) and grew up in Endicott not far from there. My parents divorced when I was young and both remarried. I was very lucky to have not only 2… but 4 outstanding parents who supported me in every way.
I've been fortunate to have traveled quite a bit. I learned French in high school and lived in Liege, Belgium for a year as a Rotary exchange student. After learning all the good Spanish swear words from my Mexican exchange student buddies, I returned to the US and decided to apply myself to learn Spanish while getting my AA in Liberal Arts. For the last semester, I went to Guayaquil, Ecuador for cultural studies. Upon returning to the US once again, I joined the US Air Force as a Chinese linguist. They sent me to the best school in the world, the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Monterey, CA. It was the hardest and most rewarding year and a half of my life! After working full time and attending classes at night for 3 more years, in May 2001, I earned my BA in International Studies from Hawaii Pacific University. Not long after, I applied and got accepted to Officer Training School and became an Intelligence Officer. I am currently stationed in Monterey, CA while I attend Naval Postgraduate School. So far in my Air Force career, I've been lucky enough to be stationed at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo TX, Beale AFB near Sacramento CA, Tyndall AFB in Panama City FL, Maxwell AFB in Montgomery AL, Hickam AFB in Honolulu, HI and my current station here in Monterey, CA.
Growing up I tried many different sports and physical activities, but wasn't very good at any of them. Unfortunately, being overweight and weight related health problems (heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, bone and joint problems, etc…) also run on both sides of my family. I graduated enlisted basic training at 120 and always saw myself that way. Imagine my surprise when I had spent so much time and energy studying to get my degree and working that I completely neglected my health to the point where I found myself at an extremely unhealthy 170+ lbs (that's when I stopped looking at the scale)!
Once I had this horrifying epiphany, I put down the fork and got my butt to the gym. I started slow by committing to a minimum of 20 min a day of cardio activity. Quickly, I worked up to 30 – 45 min per day as well as weight training. I even got certified to teach step aerobics! I had come a long way but still wasn't satisfied. That's when I saw my first Ms. Fitness competition on TV. They all seemed to be the epitome of health and fitness. I knew that someday I would have to compete.
From then on, I worked out with varying degrees of intensity. However, I was always looking for local competition I could compete in. Finally, in Sep 2005 I was able to enter my very first competition with the American Bodybuilding Association. Much to my surprise… I WON!!! Judges, friends and family then encouraged me to take it to the next level a couple of months later in Las Vegas at the Natural Olympia. Once again… I WON (well most of my events). I placed 1st in Ms. Fitness and Fitness Model Search, and 2nd in Bikini Diva.
In September 2006, I was honored to take the stage at the Rio in Las Vegas with 39 other women to compete in Ms. Fitness USA 2007. I placed 12th overall. I was hooked! After another challenging yet successful year of competition, once again I entered Ms. Fitness USA 2008 where I place 10th overall. This year I also took on the challenge of entering Bikini and Figure in the 2007 Fitness America Pageant - Hollywood competition where I placed 6th and 9th respectively. I'm enjoying the journey of achieving my dreams while also helping my friends and family achieve their health and fitness goals. I'm honored and humbled to have so many wonderful people in my life.
In addition to working out, in my spare time (not that there is much of it), I enjoy doing community service, training others, oil painting, hiking, going to the movies, playing Texas Hold 'Em and scrapbooking.
Everyday, I strive to achieve my best… whether it is at the gym, in service to my community, or my country. I would like to encourage others to do the same. Being THE best isn't as important as being YOUR best. The only person stopping you from personal greatness and achieving your dreams… is YOU!! So quit making excuses and GO DO IT!!!
Yours in fitness,
Lea Newman |
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