Office of Advancement staff member, Kate Hadfield, is a high-achieving athlete in the growing sport of bodybuilding. She recently competed at a natural bodybuilding competition held in Newcastle and came away with two gold medals, a silver medal and a fourth place in the Overall Fitness Model event.
Kate made the switch from not being very active to diligently visiting the gym for grueling workout session for deeply personal reasons.
“A few years ago a major life change triggered me to launch myself into a journey of personal growth. Having never been very active, I began going to the gym and slowly my visits increased until I was going five days a week,” Kate said.
In that time she made friends with other gym members who were preparing to compete in bodybuilding shows.
“I went along to a competition to support them and walked away absolutely convinced I could never be brave enough to do that! But I have always been pretty stubborn and determined, so I took the leap and committed to competing at that same event the following year.”
The decision plunged Kate into the growing subculture of bodybuilding where gym routines are scientifically worked out to achieve very specific goals and where nutrition plays a key role.
She entered her first competition in September last year and won four gold medals including the overall fitness model champion title. “To say I was shocked is an understatement.”
Kate is a vocal advocate of the benefits of strength training and says she has never felt better about herself.
“The benefits are impossible to understate. Especially for women. For me personally, it is my outlet, provides continued challenge and is my investment in myself amidst all the other busyness in my life.”