Stephanie Worsfold Classic 2025

In May of this year I competed in the Stephanie Worsfold Classic in London, Ontario for my first ever bikini bodybuilding competition. Even though it has been a few months since the show, I thought because I'm starting this blog it's only appropriate that I do an official recap of how things went and what my feelings are about the experience of show day. I did a quick video reflection on my instagram not long after the event itself, but there is still a lot to be said and shared. Even in just the short time since, I feel I've learned a lot and have a new perspective on how the show went.

To start, I should explain the reason why I wanted to do a show like this in the first place. When I set it as a goal - I spoke about it before I knew what I was talking about. Looking back now I can confidently say I had no idea what I was getting into or what it would become. I thought to myself, in seven months I'm gonna just go all in on this and get the best body of my life! I had never touched a barbell before but sure, we're gonna do a bodybuilding competition. Absolute newbie behaviour.

Traditionally, I'm more so what you might call a granola girl. When I started this journey, I was a nature lover who enjoyed hiking and yoga but to say I knew a damn thing about strength training is a stretch (slight pun intended). I had a lot of learning to do, not just about the sport of bodybuilding but basic fitness fundamentals and how to fuel my body properly for gains.

I chose a show as a goal because I absolutely love the aesthetics of strong women - I love the aspect of embodying strength and femininity. And I saw women compete in the bikini category with the exact look I wished I could achieve. I'm also in my late thirties if I was going to do something like this, the time to get the ball rolling was now. As an introvert who has always loved the stage (truly a drama nerd at heart, I studied theatre in college) the whole idea seemed genuinely fun. A sport where I can essentially work on my own 90% of the time and for one day become a beautiful badass barbie? Let's go!

I should also mention, that the 'why' also has a lot to do with where I'm at in my life. I have been an animal lover since as long as I can remember and so embodying a healthy version of the plant-based lifestyle has been incredibly important to me. Some of the activists and advocates I admire the most also work on themselves physically and compete in fitness/bodybuilding competitions. They walk and talk about the benefits of a plant based diet, and I thought, 'well why not me?'.

Things naturally seemed simple at first glance when I decided to start working out, but after a few solid weeks at the gym I realized I was in way over my head and needed some guidance with how to properly begin. I started working with a trainer for a solid period before I decided to hire a coach. I tried my best in the beginning to learn proper form and fundamentals but I didn't realize at the time how much of a real recomposition my body had to go through first.

I started working with IFBB Pro Emily Hammond to get ready for the show. In addition to learning posing for the bikini category - I absolutely couldn't have done it without her help and support navigating this new world of bodybuilding! Even on stage; she was working the show that day and able to put the bronze medal on my neck at the end, which really felt like a full circle moment.

See official stage shots via Zoom Image Pros here and I have to say, backstage the photography crew was lovely to run into and work with. They really went out of their way to help us newbies navigate the chaos and learn how to look our best on stage.

The ladies backstage and the crew for tan/makeup were lifesavers in so many ways. Fixing blemishes and tan splotches right up until the last moments before we stepped on stage. Shoutout to the ladies from Absolute Touch Tan & Make Up for their work and kindness throughout the process.

The suit I wore was custom made by Angel Competition Bikini's and I maintain that it was worth every penny. I'll be using this suit for future shows as well and I love how flattering and surprisingly comfortable it is. Even with a bunch of rocks all on the front, somehow it feels like slipping into a sleek evening dress every time I put it on. I also love how the drawstring and suit clasps are easily adjustable - so in any future shows when I'm different size I can get it quickly brought-in as needed.

Now let's talk about things on show day that went wrong - because the list is significant. It turns out there are plenty of details to curate for that perfect stage look and therefore plenty of opportunities for mistakes. Allow me to share a few of the fumbles with you.

Before the real chaos even started in peak week I had plans to get my nails done by a professional so I could look my best on stage. But I was so stressed in the days leading up to the show, I cancelled my appointment and simply went with press on nails for the big day.

I had lovely earrings purchased specifically for this event, in fact, I had re-peirced my ears a few months prior knowing that the 'show day look' requires sparkles on the ears in addition to everywhere else. However, in my backstage stress and winging the look on my own, I couldn't get one of the current earrings to twist off to even begin to get the other ones in! My press-on nails were about to pop off as I gave it a few attempts, so I said to myself this is one thing I'm gonna let slide. I showed up on stage with no earrings even though they were perfect and ready and sitting in my bag backstage.

I had purhcased breasts. Yes. These are the lengths we go to for the illusion of perfection - I had gone online and spent good money on a pair of push up inserts for my show day suit only to realize the night before how it not only smudged around my tan but were clearly visible on the sides when my suit was on. Totally fine for my posing suit I'd been using in the weeks leading up, but this again, ended up being something else I had to just let go because in the moment backstage - there was no clear solution and no real use putting my stress at risk.

I lost my number for the evening show. Quite literally seconds before walking on stage for finals I was darting back and forth between rooms in the staging area searching frantically. It is entirely possible I left it in the hotel room or the car prior to finals but we never actually found it. I apologized to the backstage crew profusely and thankfully, at that point judging had already been completed.

The good news is the majority of those fumbles I can easily work on for next time. As I see it, it's all been part of the learning process.

I learned a lot just in witnessing the events backstage. As I sat in my little corner in the prep room, I had the opportunity to watch the flow of athletes from other categories and age groups come and go. I saw people with their eye on the prize and goals beyond just a simple trophy. They were at work: content, coaches, artists and assistants - whole networks of folks and behind the scenes type activity I'd never personally been privy to. I heard stories of achievement and loss. Humans navigating major life crisis and then using it to uplift others. It wasn't just models prepping to look good.

One of my favourite moments backstage as all of us true novice ladies were about to go on, the tension and stress were palpable in the air. This part at least was somehow familiar to me due to my theatre history. I took a little moment to look at the array of colours of gorgeous bikinis and skin tones and ages of the women next to me. I was blown away - we're literally a walking, glittering, rainbow of nerves. It was beautiful in that moment to hold a little space to honour the fact that each face here with me was a story of triumph in some way and regardless of placing or outcome, it was a beautiful thing to witness in person. Something special about the durability of the human spirit.

That part of the show day I still find it hard to convey to others but I continue to use it to motivate me through my workouts.

I ended up getting eighth in women's bikini true novice, third in women's masters 35+, and fifth in women's open class B. For my first go at something like this I take it as a solid starting point and I'm excited about making improvements.

Now that it has been a few months, I'm working on growth. Standing next to those ladies gave me a whole new perspective of what I need to work on and how much size I need to physically put on to be considered competitive as an amateur.

The next time my heel touches that stage I want to be a new level of myself and until I feel ready, I'm not going to commit to a date. My eager little ego had a lot of fun on that stage in the moment, but absolutely got a much needed reality check as well.

So how does this sport fit within my goals now? Well, I'm using it as a guide for keeping myself on track. I fully plan to compete again when I feel ready, and use the stage as a way to maintain my motivation and excitement for the love of health and fitness. Along the way I kinda fell in love with holding myself to a higher standard and the art of always improving.

*Direct link to the placings from the Canadian Physique Alliance Website: https://canadianphysiquealliance.com/sites/default/files/Results/2025%20CPA%20Stephanie%20Worsfold%20Classic%20-%20Final%20Placings%20with%20Overalls.pdf