Back when I was competing, not
many black women wanted to
compete, or they would try but
then never return, since there
was always a certain look that
the judges would bring to the
Top 5 that usually didn’t include
black women. I don’t believe the
powers that be consider black
women relatable, nor that they
can attract the mainstream, so
we often get pushed to the back.
I believe things are changing
slowly, but there’s so much
more that needs to be done.
MM: WHAT WERE SOME PERSONAL
CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE HAD
TO OVERCOME ALONG YOUR JOUR-
NEY TO SUCCESS IN FITNESS?
HEATHER: I remember count-
less “no's” on a daily basis. I felt
so discouraged. I had so many
people telling me “you look
great; you should try and reach
out to magazines, supplement
companies and products –
they would be happy to have
you.”However, I was sadly
mistaken as it didn’t materialize
then. At that time I submitted
images to a magazine and when
I didn't hear back from the edi-
tor, I followed up. Her response
was incredibly rude. Unfortu-
nately, I allowed her rudeness
to cripple me from wanting to
contact other magazines for
several years. Fast forward
to today, now in my late 30s,
and I actually have magazines
reaching out to me wanting me
to write, design, create, and be
featured in workout articles.
MM: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE
OTHER BLACK WOMEN TO KNOW
WHO WANT TO GET INTO FITNESS
AS A CAREER?
HEATHER: Please follow your
passion and don’t let people
bring you down. Often this
stems from not wanting to
embrace something different,
but you have to be determined
and focused. If you see someone
doing what you want to do,
reach out and see if they can
share some words of wisdom
and encouragement. Yes, you
will have roadblocks at times,
but you have to keep pushing
ahead. Nothing has ever been
handed to me; I've worked my
butt off night and day making
contacts and trying to create
things that I believe people want
and need. This is what God has
called me to do. It’s my divine
purpose and God-given gift. I'm
not going to let anyone stand in
the way of my destiny.
Personal Bio
RESIDENCE: Ajax, Ontario
BIRTHPLACE: Hamilton, Ontario
HEIGHT: 5 foot 5
WEIGHT: 125 Pounds
YEARS COMPETED: 6
OCCUPATION: Owner of Fitness Empire
(www.thefitnessempire .com), Freelance
Writer, On-Air Fitness Expert, & TV Personality
MUSCLEMEMORYMAG.COM
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