SELF-MADE AND EXTREMELY DETERMINED. SHE KNOWS STRENGTH, SUCCESS, AND HERSELF BETTER THAN EVER.
We'd like to introduce you to Breena Martinez, a pro bodybuilder who's not only inspirational, she doesn't even know what the word "give up" means. She recently placed 12th out of 32 of the best bodybuilders at Olympia and she continues to blow everyone away with her dedication and endurance!
If you came across this article because the image of strength, power, and confidence caught your eye, you've come to the right place. You're about to learn about a sensational woman who radiates positivity and gives women motivation to be whoever they want to be! Trust me, she's that incredible.
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When did you start competing?
I decided to compete the January 2015 show and started training 5 months prior. The goal for the first two months, was to gain twenty pounds. Most females would say “What?! You have to gain twenty pounds?! That’s a nightmare!” I needed to gain the muscle structure that I was looking for. Getting your body ready includes building, gaining muscle, gaining weight, and then keeping the muscle on longer to get rid of the fat. I had to cut fat before the competition and dropped twenty-two pounds in eight weeks.
I ended up taking first place in my class and they crowned me overall bikini champion. So being my very first show, I was instantly hooked. I liked the fact that I got to practice what I preach and it helped out my business. More importantly I’ve always been a very competitive person. And so this was perfect. It satisfied that competitive itch for me.
It was a matter of shutting out the noise and focusing on the only things I can control: my effort, my dedication, my drive.
How did you choose bodybuilding?
I really wanted my clients to know that I practice what I preach. That I have good days and bad days just like they do. So competing was a way to out build credibility and rapport against my clients.
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When you told people what you wanted to do, did anybody ever discourage you?
Oh many times! I was told many times that I needed a breast augmentation. That I would need to be on steroids in order to do well in the sport. I was told it would take years for me to turn pro. People told me not to set my hopes too high because only a select few in the world would get to step on stage at Olympia.
For me it was a matter of shutting out the noise and focusing on the only things I can control: my effort, my dedication, my drive. That’s what I tell my clients. Nothing is guaranteed in life, but you can always control your efforts. You can always control your level of dedication.
It was a matter of shutting out the noise and focusing on the only things I can control.
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Tell me about your experience at Olympia.
The Olympia is one of the most prestigious places you can step on in the sport of bodybuilding. This is my 9th total and my 6th show as a pro. Placing 12th out of the 32 world’s best bikini bodybuilders was an amazing accomplishment for me. Most of the girls that placed in the top 10 have done the bikini bodybuilding for 3+ years and have over 30 shows under their belt.
It gave me so much confidence that I do belong in the sport. I am 31 years old and confident I found a career that I can stick with until you can’t do it anymore. It’s invigorating.
Do you ever feel like quitting?
Absolutely. I’m human. A lot of people think that personal trainers are just trained robots that are die-hard fitness gurus. I tell everyone that I am human. I eat pizza. I eat donuts like everyone else. There are times I just want to stay in bed.
"I am 31 years old and confident I found a career that I can stick with until you can’t do it anymore. It’s invigorating.”
After competition, what happens mentally and physically?
When you see your body during competition versus everyday life, it really is night and day. You have to learn to love your body. You have to learn to love it when we call it “fluffy.” It’s not healthy to stay in between 12-13% body fat as a woman, which is what I am on stage. So that’s why you have to understand that the way you look on stage is temporary.
Accept your body and accept your lifestyle. Try to fit in your fitness journey with your current lifestyle. Don’t go and get a membership and say “I’m going to work out 2 times a day every single day.” That’s not realistic. You have to create realistic goals for yourself. And you have to set realistic goals timeframes to workout and to eat right. If it doesn’t match your lifestyle chances are you’re going to do it for about – it’s going to fizzle out.
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What keeps you motivated?
My biggest motivation is the improvement and the growth that I get out of it. I work so much every time I’m preparing for a show. And I’ve also grown mentally, physically, and spiritually. And when I get through a show I look back and say, “Wow, I really did it!” That’s one of the reasons why my motto is “I can. I am. I did.”
My biggest motivation is getting better. And striving to be a better me. And in this process it has made me a better person, a better trainer, and a better athlete.
For this past competition you wore the Perfect Locks Volumizer. How did wearing extensions make you feel?
Like a million bucks! I love the volume and it shapes my face. I’m really happy to be working with Perfect Locks. It saves time, it saves energy. And I’m very happy to get the look I want. The quality of the hair is awesome. I don’t have to put a lot of product in my hair. I compete a lot. I do sometimes 7, 8, 9 shows a year and the hair lasts all throughout. With Perfect Locks I can use the hair all year long. I feel great when I wear the hair extensions, I look great too!
My biggest motivation is getting better. And striving to be a better me. And in this process it has made me a better person, a better trainer, and a better athlete.
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Stay up to date on Breena's happenings:
Instagram:Â @breenamartinez
Twitter:Â @breena_martinez
Facebook:Â Breena Martinez IFBB Pro Bikini
Website:Â www.breenamartinez.com
