Keri Mattinson recently competed in the PCA first timers event, Bikini Class (Tall category), at the Bonus Arena in Hull.
The qualified personal trainer came fifth in a large class of 14 and received an invite to represent Team GB at their worlds competition.
After attending her first show as a spectator in 2016, Keri, 30, was initially unsure if competing was for her.
She said: “I actually thought that I wouldn’t want to stand on stage in the bikini, but I wanted to achieve that physique.
“When I started following competitors and saw the effort, hard work and discipline that was needed to achieve that look I was sold.
“A lot of people just see the crazy tan and sparkly bikini and don’t realise the hard work for months and years prior.
“You only look that glam for a few hours. The rest of the time you’re looking and feeling anything but glam.”
Former Cornet’s Lass Keri originally planned to compete in 2020 but covid got in the way. She began prep for the show in February this year, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
She said: “A lot of things didn’t go well during my prep.
“I originally planned to compete on September 25 and had been on prep from February this year.
“I then signed up with a new coach who had supported me for a long time as a friend.
“We had seven weeks to turn it around, we did the best we could to walk away with fifth, and I am so proud.”
Keri added: “I lost my dog two weeks out from the competition which broke my heart. I contemplated giving up, but I pushed through.
“Because I had been through the wars I almost felt ‘over it’ before show day.
“But I actually really enjoyed the whole day. I was a lot more confident on stage than I thought I would be and really made the most of my first experience.
“I felt so happy with this and the placing was just the cherry on top!”
Keri hopes to be back on stage in the future but for now her focus turns to her personal training business, Kmatt Fitness.
She said: “I think it would be a shame if I did not compete again as I brought a great physique considering all of the hurdles I faced, so I know with my new coach and hopefully life being slightly kinder to me I can achieve better.
“Now I’m looking forward to bringing what I’ve learned on this journey to help clients achieve their own health and fitness goals.
“People say bodybuilding is the loneliest sport in the world, however I’ve never felt more supported in my whole life. Thanks have to go to my closest friends and family for supporting me. I am so grateful for every one of them.
“Also, Jordan from Precision Fitness at Lockerbie and Dennis from Impact Gym in Dumfries. Without these privately owned independent gyms doing everything they can to create a great environment to train in, people like me wouldn’t be able to do what they do.”
