NEW JERSEY: Chelsie Sampson stepped on stage at the National Gym Association (NGA) All Natural Competition in New Jersey early last month for the very last time as an amateur bodybuilder. She is now a pro.
“I was absolutely over the moon,” she told The Reporter, explaining that she took first place in the Bikini Open and won the Overall Bikini Trophy on September 10. The event was a pro-qualifying event, and Sampson’s win resulted in her being awarded a pro card.
“The competition for the overall award was tough,” she said. “I really wasn’t confident that I was going to pull off the overall win. When I heard my number called to receive the trophy I was shocked. Nothing could wipe the smile off my face.”
After receiving a pro card, competitors have the opportunity to compete at a higher competitive level. Winnings at this level are monetary prices rather than trophies. The NGA is an All Natural organization, which means every athlete who steps on the stage goes through polygraph testing to make sure he or she is all natural.
“I enjoy competing with this organization because athletes have an equal and fair chance at winning,” she said. “Politics are a huge problem with most bodybuilding organizations; however, it seems to be very minimal if any at all with the NGA.”
Training for the NGA event was pretty intense, Sampson reports, as she started her prep only five weeks out from the competition date. Generally speaking, Sampson undergoes a 12-week training schedule for a show. Some athletes even use a 16-week program.
By week number five, Sampson said she was working harder than ever before in her life.
“I was more focused and trained harder than I had for any other show,” she said. “By the time I reached the last week I was feeling very tired. Having said this, my training sessions in the gym have been amazing: better than ever.
“This was the first show that I decided to prep myself with the amazing help of my fiancé. I wrote up my own meal plan while having the advantage of training with my fiancé for each and every workout enabling me to lift heavier.”
Sampson has been following a plant-based diet since August 2015, and she credits that decision for her success. Indeed, she said a five-week prep would have been impossible without her diet.
“I do not have to be as conscious about how many calories I’m eating,” she said. “I’m able to eat much more than I used to be able to on an animal-based protein meal plan. Plant-based protein is much more absorbable by the body therefore it’s easy to get the amount of protein needed.
“Following a plant-based diet has eliminated the sugar cravings that I used to have as I am much more content with consuming unlimited amounts of vegetables. Fortunately, Active Alliance Nutrition has a plant-based BCAA product (protein that is already broken down and easily absorbed by the body), which helps me to maintain muscle mass while dieting down and cutting water.”
Sampson intends to make her pro debut next March. In the meantime, she’ll still be working on her fitness goals, working at her full-time job in New York, and working with Active Alliance Nutrition. With that, she’ll be planning her wedding for next summer.
“After the New Year, I’ll be able to set my mind 100 percent to prepping and making my pro debut at my best,” she said. “I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with the Natural Pro Girls.
“I’m very excited to be heading home to Cape Breton to spend a few weeks with my friends and family over the holidays.”