Today we’d like to introduce you to Alize Anthony.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
How I got started on my fitness journey is actually a funny story! Back in Summer 2018, I was cleaning up the kitchen one day and my then fiancé, now husband, noticed that my stomach was just barely overlapping my sweat pants. He chuckled and said, “Oooh getting a little gut there, huh?”; I laughed it off but deep down his comment resonated with me. As women, we always want to look attractive to not only our spouse but to ourselves as well; those few words gave me the courage and motivation I needed to join a gym.
A friend of mine referred me to a gym called JourneyFit; I did not know it at the time but this gym was EVERYTHING I needed and I found myself constantly coming back, consistently. The gym provided so much; it was the friendly atmosphere, the knowledgeable staff, and the comradeship with my fellow members where we actively supported and motivated each other.
Around Winter 2021 I felt myself getting complacent, not meeting my expectations, and not really feeling challenged fitness-wise. I would look at other women and wonder, “I’ve been working out consistently for 3+ years… Why do I not look like that?” and “What are they doing that I’m not doing?” That was then the defining moment when I became interested in bodybuilding. I wanted to be pushed outside my comfort zone. I needed to be tested.
January 2022, I began to research and take action on how to register and prepare for my very first bikini competition, and by mid-February, I had hired my very first prep and posing coach. For three months straight I followed a very strict diet, started learning the fundamentals of how-to walk-in platform heels, and transition from one pose to another; all while holding in my stomach and smiling at the same time! I found this not only to be a physically daunting task but an incredible mental challenge as well. There were many days in which I found myself questioning my resolve, I wanted to quit and sometimes lost focus on why I began in the first place. It was during times like these I had to steel myself and my resolve, remind myself that this was the challenge I had been seeking and this is what I asked for. To be tested, to go beyond my limits, to be a better me that I was comfortable with.
Through hard work, dedication, and an incredible amount of focus on my goals I managed to place 2nd in Bikini Masters 35+ and 5th in Bikini True Novice at the NPC Southwest USA Fitness Expo. When I entered the competition, I had no expectations; I had no idea that I would place in the top 5 at all! My intentions were to gain experience so I could learn what to expect and be prepared for my next show. My first competition definitely left a lasting impression; I found myself embracing the competitive nature of the sport and a desire to push myself even harder. Since the competition, I’ve hired a personal trainer to help spot and push me to lift heavier. I currently have plans to compete in two more shows before the year is over, and now determined to earn my pro card!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest obstacles I faced happened at the very beginning; building that inertia to establish a regular routine that worked with my already busy schedule and staying consistent. Unfortunately, I had to sacrifice eating out all the time, something I enjoyed doing quite often and had to shift to cooking more to accommodate a clean diet. Frequenting the gym on a consistent basis has never been a challenge but the new exercises and emphasis on heavy lifting did push me a bit harder than I anticipated. Particularly, I found lifting heavy to be quite intimidating; I had no one to spot me and so I had to make sure to focus extra hard on my movements and form to reduce and minimize any potential injuries. I was ecstatic once I was able to hire a coach that incorporated spotting in my training.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I’m not working out then 9 times out of 10, I’m working. I’m a nerd at heart, I work the typical 9 to 5 as a Senior Network Design Engineer and have been doing so for 9+ years. My specialization centers around designing, developing, building, and testing network engineering solutions as part of a team that introduces new technologies and improves existing technologies. In addition, I also provide day-to-day communication/network security operation and maintenance of multiple secure network infrastructures. Pretty nerdy, I know, LOL! I find an incredible amount of pride in being a successful black woman with a S.T.E.M. degree that is actually working in the S.T.E.M. field; we are rare and definitely among the most underrepresented groups in the workforce. This gives me a unique opportunity to give a distinct feminine touch in a clearly male-dominated field; I’d like to think this sets me apart from others since I don’t allow the masculine culture to discourage me from actively participating and putting my own personal touch on everything that I do. I like to look at every challenge as an opportunity for growth!
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
For anyone wanting to work/collaborate with me they can simply DM me via Instagram. I am currently in a contest competing for a spot on the cover of Maxim magazine! The contest is in support of the Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors organization in which they use part of the funding raised by the contest to build homes for wounded veterans. Anyone who would like to support me and this great cause can visit the link below; you have the option of either casting a daily free vote or you can purchase a Warrior vote. Every vote helps to get me closer to the cover and Warrior votes helps fund the Wounded Warrior organization while giving my boost in votes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maximcovergirl.com/2022/alize-anthony
- Instagram: @phockin_fit
- Other: https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2022/npc_southwest_usa_championships/alize_anthony/index.php
