Kyla Baun proudly holds her first place trophy. (Submitted photo/ Kyla Baun)

By Nigel Maxwell

Outstanding athletes

Shellbrook woman wows judges at national bodybuilding competition

Oct 18, 2023 | 3:00 PM

Kyla Baun is no stranger to competition and may now require a bigger trophy case.

The Grande Prairie Northern Classic was held last weekend. Baun finished first in Bikini Class D in the Naturals – Masters (35 + age) and Open and second in the Open – Masters and Open. She told paNOW she was very happy with her final placings.

“This was the longest contest prep I have done to date with the most weight lost to step on stage. It made all the hard work worth it,” she said.

Baun trains year-round for competitions but in different phases. The contest prep to lose fat and get stage-ready was around 22 weeks of progressively stricter dieting and increased cardio. The other part of the year, she trains to build muscle and work on her physique.

” I do this by eating more and focusing on lifting heavy instead of cardio for weight loss,” she explained.

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Baun poses on stage. (Submitted photo/ Kyla Baun)

The sport of bodybuilding requires enormous amounts of dedication and sacrifice, and Baun, who has a full-time job in law enforcement, noted it takes months of dieting and hours of intense workouts every day to achieve the desired look needed.

“Simple things like indulging in a quick chocolate bar or even spending a few more hours in bed are all luxuries that are forfeited in order to achieve our goals. This lifestyle demands a person to become emotionally, physically, and mentally strong in order for success,” she explained

Baun’s last competition was in the Fall of 2021 when she placed fourth overall in Canada. As a result of her placings last weekend, she again qualifies for the Canadian Natural Pro Qualifier next summer with hopes of obtaining her IFBB Pro Card.

“Competing gives me a sense of pride and strength, not only physically but emotionally and mentally also. There are no words for me to describe how I feel after a contest. It just feels amazing,” she said. “Just stepping on stage is the win in itself. It’s not about winning the trophy that is just the icing on the cake. The sport is about beating who you were the last time you competed and I feel I did that.”

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell