An ‘inspirational’ mum of two who has lost over seven stone through diet and exercise is heading to Hollywood to compete for her country in a bodybuilding contest.
Sarah Stannard, 53, of Bury St Edmunds, will be travelling to Los Angeles next month where she will compete in the WNBF World Natural Bodybuilding Finals.
Sarah, who works as a catering manager for Eastern Education Group, has been on a 20-year weight loss and fitness journey and now she is hoping to win a medal on the global stage of these world finals in America.
Sarah Stannard today preparing for the LA bodybuilding championships in November. Picture: Supplied by Sarah StannardSarah Stannard before taking up bodybuilding. Picture: Supplied by Sarah Stannard
Sarah said: “After school and training to be a qualified chef, I got married, had two children and put on a lot of weight.
“I’ve always battled with it and, although I was named slimmer of the year for Slimming World in 2004, I’ve been conscious of putting the weight back on.
“To try and control it, I initially did running and cycling. Then just before Covid, I started at a gym. My son Jack encouraged me and I went along to lift some weights and try and do some exercise.
Sarah Stannard competing in a bodybuilding tournament. Picture: ShowShoots
“It turned out I was good at weightlifting and from there, I moved on to strongwoman training, but had to rethink after suffering an injury.
“After that I was approached by a World Champion WNBF title holder from our gym, IronIsland, and she asked if I would be up for doing some body building. I thought ‘why not – give it a shot’. She then went on to be my coach.
“I started my journey of prep in February of this year. I’ve subsequently gained two second places in two competitions and now I’ve been invited to take part in the World Natural Bodybuilding Finals in Los Angeles.
“I’m in the Masters category – and that is for anyone aged 40 and over. I’ll be representing Team GB on the 22 and 23 of November.”
Sarah said the opportunity to represent her country felt ‘surreal but amazing’, adding winning a medal would be a good way to end the year following a tough time recently.
She said getting fit had been a ‘gradual progression’, and it had helped her mentally and given her a huge focus.
Sarah Stannard in the University Professional Development Centre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: Supplied by Eastern Education Group
“Going to the gym clears my head and mind,” said Sarah. “To get to this level I train two hours a day, six days a week. All my food is pre-planned and the whole science behind this has been fascinating.
“I am immensely proud it is all natural and no steroids or Peds (performance-enhancing drugs) are involved.”
Her message to others is talk to people, get in the gym and ‘don’t be afraid’.
“Not all gyms are scary places. At our gym (IronIsland) we have a good age range and you feel accepted. There are people who will help you progress, and once you get on that journey there is no going back.”
Sarah Stannard before taking up bodybuilding. Picture: Supplied by Sarah Stannard
Zoe Hobbs, finance manager for Eastern Education Group, said: “Sarah is an inspiration in what she has already achieved and what she is striving to achieve.
“If she was to win a medal I would be immensely proud of her achievements – it would be incredible. But just for her to be there is amazing.”