Erin Moubray's recipe for success begins at home.
"I do enjoy playing in the kitchen quite a bit," says Moubray.
The 31-year-old credits her diet in obtaining her professional fitness model card at the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation competition in Mississauga, Ont., on Aug. 27.
"Diet is 80 per cent of what you look like," she says. "I just find it interesting to mix new foods together to help be creative. I'm also a vegan. I cook for my family, but I actually eat all raw foods.
"I think I have a tremendous edge in that everything I eat is so clean," Moubray adds. "I don't have the ups and downs that a lot of competitors do on a standard diet. When you eat such clean, natural food your body weight doesn't fluctuate."
By earning her pro card, Moubray is eligible to compete for prizes, and allows for the possibility of endorsements, magazines ads and photo shoots. But, it means, she is longer able to compete as an amateur.
"It feels humbling," says Moubray about earning her pro card in the third fitness competition she's entered. "It's a huge honour to have been awarded that. Never in a million years did I actually think that I'd win my pro card."
Moubray competed in the bikini and fitness model events at the world championship.
"I chose to compete in both bikini and fitness model because you never know what the judges are looking for; if you're that look for that category," she says. "I happened to fit into fitness model.
"The fun thing about being a fitness model is that it's actually theme wear, so I'll be in a costume, which emulates your personality a little bit," Moubray adds. "This year I was a chef."
Fitness competitors cannot be self-conscious since they are posing on stage in bikinis in front of about 10 judges and a host of photographers from various magazines and publications.
"When you first step out on stage you really have to clear your mind of all of that and focus on just entertaining the audience," says Moubray. "You've put in a lot of work and you only have a few seconds to showcase yourself on stage, thankfully for the bright lights you can't really see the faces of people, which makes it a lot easier.
"It's an amazing feeling; it's exhilarating to be up there, knowing what you've worked so hard for you're finally there."
A fitness model has a more toned and defined body than bikini and figure competitors who have a softer look and are more muscular, respectively.
Moubray, who moved to Prince George with her husband and two-year-old daughter two years ago from Penticton, says she always admired the girls in magazines like Oxygen when she was growing up and she would like to be able to inspire teenaged girls today.
With her pro card in her back pocket, Moubray says, she will now concentrate on personal training, with online clients and ones she consults with at Gold's Gym where she's starting a 12-week training program.
"I want to see more people meet their fitness goals," says Moubray, who trains one body part per day with about an hour of weight-training followed by 20 minutes of high-intensity cardio. "I think I'm living proof that it's possible, whether you want to step on the stage or you just want to see a fitter person in the mirror."
Anyone interested in working out with Moubray can contact her at emoubray@gmail.com.
