Michelle Broughton - Her Honest Account

Michelle Broughton is quite possibly the dearest friend I have in this world .... other than my Rob. I could go on about all of her character traits and ramble about her loyalty, never-failing support, intelligence, honesty and she’s bloody funny to boot - but I won’t go on. Sufficient to say that she at the top of my Chrissy-card list.

The other thing about Michelle, is that she’s got a body to die for. Always has had. Once upon a hot Katherine day, I started a Bootcamp out of nowhere. 48 women arrived on that first night, and I distinctly remember an extremely fit and sexy looking lady turning up in ¾ pants and a yellow top. I remember thinking that I needed to lift my game to keep her happy because she already looked like a fitness instructor … and I had been qualified for … gulp … 1 day.

I didn’t actually ‘meet’ Michelle on a social level for a wee bit longer and I had no idea that her husband was a Police Officer, as was mine (at that time I had consciously uncoupled from the Police for a while) so we had tons in common from the get-go.

When I started my competition training, the onslaught of what I call ‘Michelle Comments’ started. And by crikey they got tedious after a while!! Yes I got it – Michelle is “made” for body building. Yes – doesn’t she just have the widest shoulders and smallest waist! My word doesn’t she already have muscles bulging out of her back!! I would agree and nod and agree and nod and wonder why it was all directed at me!! Probably got just a tad jealous at how perfect they all thought Michelle looked and here I was slogging my guts out on broccoli and chicken, looking like a skeletal chicken!! Haha – it was funny and frustrating all at once.

But yes, I knew that I knew that I knew Michelle would be a cracker of a competitor. I’m not bloody stupid!! Of course I could see her natural shape and I knew that she works like a demon when she has her eyes on a prize and most of all, I simply had to be her trainer. Of this I was certain.

First I had to wait until Michelle wanted it. It didn’t matter that 5,327 people told me she’d be great. I had to hear the commitment words come straight from her own mouth, because the bodybuilding preparation lifestyle takes way more than a few good words and intentions to make it successful. A competitor has to agree that their life will change remarkably for at least 12, if not 20, weeks. Anyone who tells you differently is yanking your chain.

2013 and finally, finally, Michelle decided it was her time. She agreed to give up the cardio, forgo the tough mudders and the ultra-challenges and anything else that would threaten to take up time we had ear-marked for building muscles. So we set off on our journey.

I’ll let Michelle tell the rest but I will add this. Seeing her on stage and watching her elegance, beauty, strength, determination and general beautifulness shine out, made me about the proudest trainer and happiest friend in the world. There couldn’t be much more euphoria than training your mate and seeing her win. I’ll never forget that moment.

First Comp:

May 4 INBA Darwin – 1^st Novice, 3^rd Open
May 10 WFF NABBA Conquest Classic Geelong – 1^st Masters, Overall Female Ms Conquest Classic

Competition Day Highlights:
Geelong- overall show presented at a nice pace. Camaraderie in change rooms. 'Buzzy' atmosphere back stage. Pre show brief for competitors by judges and organisers was great for a maiden show and the constant info on how the show schedule is going, marshalling etc. Supporters in the audience

STAGE TIME!!

Elated feeling of achievement post show- reflecting on training, stepping way out of my comfort zone, challenging myself mentally, complying to prep process (weights, hiits, nutrition, supps), and committing to a goal).

Biggest Inspirations (hated asking such a ho-hum question but felt I had to)

Not Ho hum!! I find my trainer is ever so inspiring because her committed journey toward a pretty frickin goal of a lifetime is REAL and I can RELATE sports wise. Pauline Nordine's mentality and opinions etc are so brutally honest. I love it when people don't preach This Way when bb and related nutrition so individual. I am inspired by Nicole Wilkins plainly because I love her physique!! Pictures of athletic bodies inspires me!

Comp Day - were there things that you saw/heard that shocked you? what?
Nutella and red wine back stage pre stage time.
Gorging of thin crisps and party mix lollies.
Observing girls who were not what I perceived to be stage ready- ie condition, spray tans/ dream tan applied just mins/hrs before stage time.
Lack of pumping up.
Disorganisation of other competitors - food, water, warm up equipment..

Was it an experience you would like to repeat?
Absolutely!

Prep - tell us anything really interesting about your prep?

I thought if anything I would struggle with the nutrition and it would be my undoing....however it was surprisingly easy, varied and so effective! Yes costly and time consuming but never have I been so healthy, organised and never had I seen my body morph wonderfully!

I loved structure in my training - I made gains .

I loved having a goal and time line.
I could balance in high heels!

What was a typical day of food in the last month?
100 gm / 90 gm protein (which decreased each week in those last couple of weeks) x 5 (chicken, fish) + veges 1.5-2.5 cups veg ( occasional fruit) x5, +  flaxseeds/oil, avocado + 6 litres water

What was your training like up to comp?

5 day split no cardio 12 wks out
Shock pgm 2 wks
Modified pgm 10 weeks out (injury) 4 day split + 1 hiit
4 wks - new pgm training giant sets (suited to my conditioning) + 2 hiits
1 week hiits and rest

 What things did you hate most?

Tiredness that came from with work, family, training, cardio.
Trying to master posing and how it hurt sometimes.
Hours of food prep at the start (soon figured 2 cook ups per week was better for me).
Separating MY food from everyone else's ...cost wise.
How sucked in my face looked in order to get my body lean.
Training tired and feeling like I was regressing in strength.
The scale game (weigh ins).
How the hiits hurt and made me feel extremely unfit.
Uncontrollable Emotions toward the final week
Brain fuzz eg trying to put an oval Tupperware lid on a square container for about 4 seconds! Reversing the car in first gear. 
 
What things did you like most?
Having my family involved and supportive the WHOLE time and them being proud!
Coaches with a passion for bodybuilding.
Competing with friends.
My compliance!! It was very much a Personal challenge.
Proud of my body for the changes.
Ongoing stimulation (inc doms!), the mental focus and satisfaction (muscle definition) from my programs and nutrition (leaning down).
Muscle chicks! Care, support and mateship. (Muscle chicks is a group we have set up that shares info on anything and everything to do with training and health)
Compliments.
Surprisingly- loved wearing a bikini and heels, baring all on stage!! So much that I trembled uncontrollably with excitable nerves!
Learning!
My very organised eating schedule.
Looking forward to oats!

How did you family cope?

Very well I think on the most part...although there was a few "ahhh mum!" when I had to go to the gym on family time, especially weekends. I learnt to strategise by;
-        Involving Paul in weights (a great spotter), completing my butt naked tanning, being my backstage biarch!  
-        Eden clocked my hiits outside, sometimes in the dark (safety in numbers!).
-        Paige was my biggest critique in everything (constructive sometimes, crazy other times!)
-        I Involved them in my bikini decisions, shoes, bling, hairstyle (all important to little girls!).
-        Made multiple smoothies (some had added ice cream) so we could indulge together. At times we all ate the same meal from my plan (steak/chicken and vege or Mexican scramble for eg)
BUT- post comp...Paul tells me he learnt never to let me miss a meal or eat late cos imabitch!!!!

Tell us about any guilt associated with prepping/comping? eg being such a full-on sport.

Definitely the costs associated with fresh fruit and veg + chick breast and beautiful fresh fish - because the best things in life are not cheap!  I tried not to focus (openly) too much on my needs alone by preparing interesting, nutritious and yummy meals for everyone else, even when ready to slit my own wrists cos 4  hrs is 3 hrs too long for meal prepping .... but I wasn't game to deprive them by any means, No!
*  I'm very proud and lucky for the fact they came to understand there was a purpose to my prep early on. And fortunately, they love watching shows! Helps to validate the process.
Undeniable Guilt-The times I needed to do things that were all about me and how I sometimes prioritised them over everything else - no discussion.
The big G - Guilt-The essential unavoidable cost of registering to compete for only one time, not really knowing if it would be something I would pursue (lucky I'm sold!!!!) on top of food, bikini, shoes, make up da da da
Not too many special eaty treatys as a family if it didn't suit my plan, however an upside, Paul, wonder dad- indulged the kids occasionally without me!
The extra upside - I took my own and still enjoyed their company.
Guilty about spending yet more $ on supps and vit/min that essentially got me to be my best in the most healthy way.  
Positive-I shared my WPI and creatine! 

IMO:There's going to be costs, time, sacrifices in this sport undoubtably. Body building offers improved health, personal growth, physical development and so much more.  Competition draws on a very large part of your being once you choose this commitment if you want to take your best to the stage.  It challenges you, intrigues you and teaches you so much about yourself, your body, your family, and your friends. For an individual sport, there are a lot of extra external factors that will make your own journey a positive one.

Specific to you Michelle - how did it feel, pressure-wise, to constantly be told by people that you had the perfect body for bb? Did you feel that you had to perform better?

In a way, comments toward my body shape made me feel like people took notice of me and were, in my mind, 'watching' my progress. That in itself sat uneasy because I didn't want to be seen as a failure or not producing the goods. I felt there were expectations and I know they were conjured from my own thoughts, but they didn't go away until comp day. Ironically, a tool that kept me accountable.

There was so much invested in me from my family, and my training family that I didn't want to let anyone down and I didn't want to let myself down either. The process was a HUGE challenge and learning curve for me that many wouldn't realise. There were days I felt uncertain of my ability to step foot on stage, many more where I thrived physically in training. Days I felt mentally gratified and days I was plain drained. I constantly worried if I would be good enough. 

In my mind I had a visual for comp day.... lean legs (my asset). They would be so defined i would walk on stage already flexing!! I was going to be x weight. Comp day- my legs looked pretty much like they had 6 weeks previous! Bummed...of course but ...and just on bum, actually was a bit embarrassed with my bum...it's a muscle...why couldn't it have been perkier dammit! Once depleted to a certain level your muscular size is really obvious. Ie- for me, a lot smaller than what i thought i had! An eye opener. I thought I would have been a little more defined between muscles, I really wanted striations! BUT, by the time I was glammed up, at the venue, my worries diminished somewhat. Nothing I could do about what I didn't have...just roll with it and enjoy. Kini on, pumping up, jelly bean treats, my focus changed to getting out there without looking like a scared kitty cat and busting out of my skin with confidence. One of my major goals!
 
Could you also tell us how you ruined your bikini? Just for shits and giggles?
Comp over, hydrate, eat, baby oil bath and wash my beautiful deep teal metallic figure suit with bling! Oh my beautiful figure suit. Custom made all the way from Las Vegas, I loved it! I decided I was too tired to take 5 minutes to gently wipe it (as per the instructions!) so I soaked it.

Was only to be while I unwound, a bit, but I forgot about it. Faaak! Just about launched myself off the verandah the next morning praying my soaking suit was going to be ok. Of course not! The trillion teeny weeny metallic hexagons that made up the fabric has lifted off in a trillion specks on my hand. The crystal glue turned white and was oozing out. The bikini resemble a charred pair of undies and 7 yr old bikini top. Hung my head in shame. Next comp is 6 days away! What do you do....phone a friend! There's always an up to every down, IMO!

Oh Michelle – that bikini story still gives me a chuckle some 2 months later!! You are awesome by the way.