Former Fanshawe graduate Emily Zelinka has carved out a niche for herself in the competitive physique world. Demonstrating athletic prowess and formidable talent, she is determined to get her International Federation of BodyBuilders pro card to allow her to compete as a professional figure athlete and represent Canada.

The sport of amateur figure competing consists of divisions based on height. Bodybuilding, on the other hand, divides its competitors by weight. Men and women compete in bodybuilding, but only women compete in figure (which is what Zelinka does), fitness (which is a routine consisting of "tricks" like cartwheels, backhandsprings, pushups and more) and new division called "bikini."

To be an IFBB pro, or to compete with the IFBB, Zelinka described the strenuous process of first competing in local and provincial events and placing in the top five. At that point, an athlete can compete at national events, which requires finishing first in her height category and first overall. Once that is achieved, she can compete as a pro with the IFBB league.

Though Zelinka is now an accomplished athlete, she said she had a hard time finding her passion while in high school. "I found it hard to find 'my sport,'" she said. She played volleyball and tried to get into track and field, and while she enjoyed participating in those sports, she never excelled in them. "I started going to the gym on my breaks. I didn't know what I was doing, but I felt like I wanted to learn more and educate myself on gym equipment and training."

While taking Fanshawe's Fitness and Health Promotion program in 2001, Zelinka gained knowledge and built a foundation for what it takes to become a healthier person. Shortly after graduating, she became a personal trainer.

She wasn't done yet. In 2003, she graduated from Fanshawe's Paramedic course and is now a full-time Paramedic in London. Both of these programs have helped her become who she is today: helping others and living a healthy lifestyle.

Through living an active and healthy lifestyle, Zelinka made a major decision. She said she always admired women in fitness shows on TV, and, "After much thought, education and a great support network, I decided to train to compete in 2006. I had nothing to lose," she exclaimed.

In the beginning, she received help from IFBB pro and personal trainer Stephanie Worsfold, nutritionist Graeme Thomas and her husband Brad Fowler, who is a personal trainer and professional kickboxer. She then sought Aric Sudicky from Medpoint for nutritional guidance and Darrin Robinson from Emerge Inc in Oakville for presentation and posing help.

"My first (bodybuilding) show was in November of 2007 and it was at Centennial Hall here in London," she remembered. "I entered the show with a goal of trying my best and not placing last. To my amazement, I placed first in my division and first place overall — I was overjoyed. I realized that I had found my passion. I had found my niche."

Her accomplishments continued and have taken her to events around the world over the span of four years. Some of her most recent accomplishments were placing second in the Arnold Amateur Championship in Columbus, Ohio in March 2010, and third in the competition a year later.

Her days are less than typical, she said. "Working as a paramedic means I work 12-hour days and 12- hour nights, therefore I have to manipulate my training and home life around those shifts." She said she tries to get some time in at the gym before and after her shifts, usually aiming to hit the gym for at least 60 to 90 minutes every day.

In terms of training, Zelinka sticks to lifting heavy with free weights or with a squat rack. She aims for compound movements or power lifts, and closer to her competition shows, she performs circuits to maintain her muscle and elevate her heart. She also sticks it out at Fowler's boxing club, Round One, where she'll commit to boot camp classes or kickboxing classes.

She said she enjoys being a figure competitor because she gets to challenge herself. "I get to push my mind and body to see how far I can go." She also loves the thrill of the stage: "The lights shining down on me and my adrenaline rushing through my body as I step in front of the judges."

An important part of being a figure competitor is having a solid support system in place, Zelinka said. "You have to have great people surrounding you, and that they understand that some sacrifices need to be made in order to achieve your ultimate goal." Having a competitive professional kickboxer as a husband is an incentive for this knockout figure gal to feel focused and committed to her dream of a pro card. "My husband … understands what it takes to succeed as a competitor. His support is amazing, and we spend time together at the gym working out or at home making our 'diet-friendly' meals."

Though she admitted to struggling with body image throughout her life, Zelinka said educating herself on eating properly and training wisely has empowered her. She said she now realizes that eating less food does not make you look better or healthier: on the contrary, it slows down your metabolism and affects your mood greatly. "Training for figure has allowed me to share my story with many and be an example to others that healthy eating and training at the gym will produce a body that is more admirable than a bony frame."

"Many girls have come up to me and ... expressed to me that I have helped them make a change in their lives for the better," she said proudly. "If I can change one person's life for the better in my lifetime, I have fulfilled my dream and everything that I have achieved has been worth it."

For more information on Emily Zelinka, visit emilyzelinka.com. For more information about the Ontario Physique Association, how to compete and regional shows, visit physiqueassociation.ca.