Zoa Linsey
all pictures are used by Zoa´s personal permission
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I grew up in a very conservative family but I remember very distinctly a couple things; being loved, and being pushed to be my best.
Self-discipline, time management and a strong work ethic was part of my daily life.
The focus was more on academic and musical excellence, not competitive sports.
However by studying music, both classical piano and violin, I developed patience and the ability to set long-term goals.
I am thankful for parents who gave me the foundation to achieve my goals and believe in myself. Thanks Mom & Dad!
However when I was 17 the unthinkable occurred, my parents divorced.
In retrospect, it was my traditional upbringing that made the situation and the aftershock that much more devastating.
I didn’t know how to handle what had happened and my parents were going thru their own grief.
I began to develop eating disorders ranging from anorexia, bulimia and obsessive and unhealthy exercise habits that spanned across the next ten years.
Of course these remained a private affair as I pushed to excel in my education and career.
I always attempted through this time to heal myself, however as I know now in retrospect, these things take time and perseverance.
I dealt with my confusion by focusing on my achievements and became very successful in my school and career.
I studied marketing and communications in university and then after graduating, began work in the corporate marketing world.
I enjoyed this part of my life but at the same time was having more fun before and after work doing half-marathons,
uphill/downhill road biking and mountain biking, weight training, trail-running as well as teaching spinning at the local fitness club.
I felt in my heart there was more to what I wanted in life than what I was doing.
It wasn’t until after competing in my first bodybuilding show in 2000, I realized I had finally found something that I had a passion for.
Bodybuilding transformed my eating disorders into an athletic endeavor instead of an unhealthy, unrealistic body image issue.
Bodybuilding fit me perfectly – I enjoyed being disciplined, setting long term goals and training hard.
From the first show onwards, I realized that this sport fit me. T
he bonus was I found that I loved to compete and it woke up something inside of me that I didn’t know I had.
Eventually I changed careers. By 2003 I was self-employed with my own business, Powergirl Fitness.
My personal mission with my work with other individuals from the beginning was to help them empower and achieve their own personal best.
To take a desire and turn it into action. To see dreams realized. To give people the truth about getting in shape and fitness.
To live with integrity. To help people understand how to be emotionally and physically healthy and live a complete life.
My personal philosophy for training my clients has only been enriched by the personal struggles and body image issues I have struggled with in my past.
Every experience I have had, positive and negative has brought me to this place where I am able to encourage and motivate other people to step beyond their own self-perceived limitations.
This is the perspective from which I encourage and support those around me in their journey and I’ve been so fortunate to meet so many great friends along the way.
Birthday: November 29th
Height: 5' 9 1/2"
Weight: 195 (off-season), 180 (contest)
Place of Birth: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Family: 1 awesome husband and 2 crazy kittens!
Current Home: Okinawa, Japan
Occupation: Lifestyle Consultant & Personal Trainer
Favorite Cheat Food: Low-fat Ice-cream & Granola, Fresh Berries, Steak
Favorite Beverage: Water (always) & a little Sangria
Favorite Diet Food: Baked Yams & Kashi Go-Lean
Best Memory: Getting married, July 17th, 2005 & Winning Overall at North American’s
Favorite Exercises: Squats, Rack Pulls and Shoulder Press
Names of my Kittens: Knucklehead, Jimmy Hoffa
Favorite Hobby: Training, baking and traveling.
Favorite Music: Rock, Classical, New Age, Alternative
Favorite Movies: suspense, mystery or animated, happy movies.
COMMON QUESTIONS:
How long do you think you’ll keep on bodybuilding?
I will compete as long as I enjoy it, however, bodybuilding is my lifestyle, that will be with me always.
I love training and I love feeling healthy from eating the right foods. I like to feel like I’m maximizing what my physique is capable of being.
What is the most you’ve ever benched?
I don’t bench, too hard on shoulders and not the best exercise for chest development.
What is the most you’ve ever squatted?
Do I look like a powerlifter? (yes, that is the answer). But I have squatted 405 for reps.
What is your goal in bodybuilding?
To be one of the Top 5 bodybuilders in the world.
Who is your training partner?
My husband and I train together most days.
What are your guiding principles in life?
•Integrity
•Passion
•Loyalty
•Gratitude
FUTURE PLANS:
Have a great marriage, be a great bodybuilder, be an inspiration to my clients and friends,
have a successful business and enjoy the time I am given in my life.
Please also visit the Off.Homepage from Zoa to find out more...
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