By Alex Soloducha

No excuses when it comes to success: local athlete

Aug 27, 2015 | 6:20 AM

After years of putting in the work, one Prince Albert born fitness competitor is ready to see just how well she can do.

Karma Schopp first caught the fitness bug when she was 15 with a start in Olympic weightlifting. A local athlete, now friend, was receiving media attention for competitions at the time.

“I’m a really competitive person, so I’m like, ‘I can do that, and I can do it better,’” said Schopp.

After three years of being involved in the sport, Schopp remained active with regular sessions at the gym.

She was working as a personal trainer in Calgary when she finally took the leap into the world of competitive body building.

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“One day on the way to the gym, I thought, I’m about to turn 30-years-old, what am I waiting for?” said Schopp. “So I just said, ‘You know what, I’m going to do it.’

“I did my first show and I haven’t looked back.”

Ten years later, Schopp continues to compete, setting her sights on bigger and better titles.

Her proudest moment on stage was her first physique show in Los Angeles in 2012. At that point, she had only ever been in figure competitions.

“I got on (the stage), this little girl from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, in Los Angeles, and I got the overall championship,” said Schopp. “I beat American girls, and the girl that I beat that day for the overall title—two weeks later she went on to the North American Championship and took overall there.

“So that was pretty exciting.”

According to Schopp, someone who speaks from experience, reaching goals takes the right mindset.

“It doesn’t matter what your goals are, whether it’s physique competitions, fitness, business, personal life, any of that…if you don’t have the right mindset and drive and determination to actually do the work, it doesn’t matter what goals you have, they just turn into wishes.

“If your mind isn’t in the game, it’s just not going to work for you.”

At the age of 40, Schopp can now boast that age is just a number and excuses are just that, excuses.

“Fitness is possible for anybody after whatever age, injuries… you just have to work at it,” said Schopp. “Even if it’s somebody who’s never worked out in their life, they can still do it, they can absolutely do it.”

Although people may be busy with work, family and other commitments, Schopp encourages everyone to make time for bettering their health and fitness.

“Fitness is possible for you, sometimes you have to schedule it in,” said Schopp. “You have to make your health a priority.

“I’d much rather spend my money on food than some pills,” she added.

Schopp is still based out of Prince Albert but spends much of her time in Southern California where she trains for competitions.

In April of next year she plans to enter the Saskatchewan provincial body building championships and hopefully go on to the IFBB North American Championships in Pittsburgh and earn a “pro card”.

“If I beat the North American champion why can’t I be the North American champion? That’s kind of my end goal for next year,” said Schopp.  “I would cry. To know at that moment, the judges think you’re the best competitor in all of North America, that’s an amazing feeling, you just can’t beat that.”

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha