Angus mum-of-two Madonna Douglas has rounded off 2022 as a double British champion in the highly competitive world of bikini athlete bodybuilding.
The 44-year-old Forfar social care officer hopes her sporting success will inspire others to get into the gym – even if they don’t fancy flexing their muscles under the glare of the spotlights.
And she also wants fellow dyslexics to see that the condition is no barrier to achieving whatever goals you set yourself.
In a hectic double-header weekend down south she was named the UKUP pro bikini masters British Champion and the UKBFF British champ for her 168cm height category.
And a strong performance in the UKBFF Bikini Masters over-35s event has fuelled her ambition for even greater glory next year.
Dedication
Building the bikini body to go on stage against Britain’s best requires dedication and determination.
And Madonna has come a long way since stepping through the door of Forfar’s Results Gym just five years’ ago.
“I started going to classes with personal trainers at Results and found it was something I really enjoyed,” she said.
“One of the girls at the gym did her first competition and I thought, ‘yeah I could do that’.
“The following year I decided to enter, won my category and went on from there.”
But it takes sheer hard work, abstinence and a rigid diet regime to reap the rewards.
“It’s six days a week in the gym, probably about 14 hours a week,” said Madonna.
Strict diet, no booze
And it’s meant Friday evening wine-time has been given the bodybuilder’s elbow.
“I used to look forward to wine at the weekends, but you just know that you’ve got that goal to work to so I don’t drink any more,” she said.
During the off-season she will consume 3,500 calories daily, reduced to 1,800 or less to be in peak condition for big events.
“I’ll allow myself Christmas dinner, but after that it’s back to being really strict,” she said.
She’s now also in demand as a personal trainer at Results Gym.
“I want to try to encourage other people of all ages to take up resistance training,” she said.
“But my dyslexia made it difficult for me.”
Inspiring others
“I have all the information in my head, but found it difficult to get across,” she said.
“So I have a Facebook page for people to learn the correct technique and posture.”
It has almost 3,000 followers.
“I want it to show that there is hope out there for people to achieve their goals and they shouldn’t let dyslexia put them off,” says Madonna.
“You don’t have to be training for the stage, that’s not for everyone.
“But you can really notice a difference in your body if you put a bit of time into it.
“As long as you are pushing and pulling on resistance training three or four times a week you’ll see changes within four weeks.
“And if you keep at it then you will really notice it after a few months.”
That positive attitude has also just landed Madonna a six-month coaching contract with one of the sport’s big names, Danni Levi of ITVBe series Life on Marbs.
What the judges look for
But what is the killer figure Madonna is aiming for as she aims to realise her goal of becoming UKBFF bikini masters champion next year?
“Generally it’s an all-over thing, the ‘x-shape’ with nice big shoulders is what you want to achieve,” she said.
“I’ve taken on a few things from the judging at the recent competitions and that’s what I’ll be working on.
“And nice glutes and hamstrings are important.
“I even had a comment about my bikini so I’ll take that on board.
“You have to think about everything.”
