Muscle Memory digital Dec/Jan 2018 | Page 37

TAMARA VAHN, JUSTINE MUNRO, FITNESS BIKINI NICKI DERY, FIGURE Since she was young, competi- tive sports played a huge part in the life of Nicky Dery. She played basketball, volleyball, track and field, and competitive dance and was actively involved in horse jumping and dressage. Just five years ago, Nicky launched her fitness competition career at the 2012 Canadian Western Nation- als, where she finished third and became hooked on the sport. She instantly realized that seeing measureable physical results would help propel her train- ing and healthy eating forward. Currently, the native Albertan is a two-time national champion in both Masters and Open Figure Overall. When considering her work, the fact that she still has the energy to train intensely is remarkable. As a heavy equip- ment operator, Nicki’s commit- ment to training is awe-inspiring. “I am by far my own biggest opponent,” she says. “I’m always striving to beat myself mentally and physically.” Nicki’s star continues to rise as she is a sponsored athlete at Team Reflex Supplements and one of the nine athletes on the official poster for the 2018 CBBF Canadian Nationals in Surrey, British Columbia. More informa- tion on Nicki can be found on her Instagram page @nicki_dery_ ifbb_figure. Canada’s golden girl Justine Munro is one of our nation’s most successful fitness ath- letes. Originally from Oakville, Ontario, the statuesque beauty (5 foot 9) now makes Ottawa her home. Although still not even 30 years old, she has multiple appearances in the world’s most prestigious fitness competitions. These include an incredible victory at the 2010 Canadian National Bikini Championships, which led to her IFBB pro status. The next year, Justine won the Pittsburgh Pro Bikini event, subsequently coming in 8th at the Arnold Classic and 10th at the Ms. Olympia. In 2012, Jus- tine won the EVL Prague Pro Bikini event and the St. Louis Pro. Later in her career, during a two-year stretch (2015 and 2016), Justine finished second at the Arnold Classic. Most recently, in 2017, she came in sixth at the Arnold Classic and eighth at the Arnold Classic Australia. Justine is a multiple fitness cover model and one of the most recognizable female fitness models of the day; she is also a highly respected per- sonal trainer and coach with a vibrant social media presence. She has nearly 200,000 fol- lowers on her Instagram page @justinemunro and offers contest prep and holistic nutri- tion services. DANA FRENCH , BIKINI Dana French is passionate about fitness, as well as dance, karate, and volleyball. She is very much a family-first woman with an active career in health care in Newfoundland, where she calls home. In 2011, French competed for the first time and placed well enough to qualify for the Nationals. She went on to obtain her IFBB pro card in August of 2012 at a world qualifier’s event in Winnipeg. She's since represented Canada on the pro stage numerous times and says that her most special moment in fitness was when she competed in her first pro show at the Toronto Pro SuperShow: “I can remember standing side stage with so many IFBB pro competitors who I looked to for inspiration. I just wanted to feel the mo- ment; it was surreal and I felt like a star.” Dana’s training often incor- porates specialty techniques like drop sets, and she has said that her favourite muscle group is her shoulders. The photoge- nic Dana has several sponsor- ships to her name, including being a Team T-Rex athlete, Beyond Yourself, Cave Dog Supplements Store (St. John’s, Newfoundland), and Wicked Fit. She can be found on Insta- gram at @danafrench4. As a double IFBB Pro (Figure and Fitness), Tamara Vahn is also a double Canadian National champion, having won both her classes at the 2008 CBBF Nationals. Tamara hails from Edmonton and now makes her residence in Oakville, Ontario. She is a versatile fitness athlete and trainer with a lengthy career, who most recently competed at the 2017 IFBB Europa Phoenix Pro Fitness, where she placed a respectable sixth (she actually accrued the second highest mark after the judging round). These results represented a comeback of ex- cellence for Tamara, who had not competed for a while. While she continues her competition career, Tamara’s other passion is fitness con- sulting, as the owner of Body By You, based in Oakville. Her mission is to provide a fitness and nutrition platform that will inspire, guide, and challenge women and men in a way that can be sustainable and fuels their life’s require- ments. Services offered by Tamara include lifestyle, fitness, and nutrition train- ing; contest preparation and posing; and pre- and post- natal fitness, in addition to intensity challenges. More information on Tamara’s services can be found online at: oakvillefutsalclub.com/ body-by-you.html. MUSCLEMEMORYMAG.COM 35