FMS Hearts the WPD Olympians: Ayanna

Relax. Physique is Lightweight, Middleweight and Light-heavyweight Bodybuilding in disguise, or at least that's what it has turned out to be, despite the complaints of some of the (less muscular) Physique women themselves. And until the IFBB/NPC bigwigs do see their plans to "tone it down by 10-15%" come to fruition, that means there's lots and lots of beautiful female muscle in the division, especially when the cream gather as they did in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. Yes of course we miss the Ms O, but that didn't stop us enjoying the Physique Olympia, and all this week on FMS we're going to be paying tribute to these spectacular, muscular women.

So relax, get comfy, and enjoy!

AYANNA CARROLL: TRUE PASSION



I dislike the inconsistency. Different judges want different looks, which makes it difficult to always know what the judges will be looking for. Example, how can you tell a woman bodybuilder that she is "too hard", when being "hard" is what contributes to her condition? It can be very confusing at times.
Ayanna Carroll, Hardfitness interview, 2007


Ayanna pumps up in Vegas a few days before the show

Yep, that was Ayanna in 2007. She competed in Bodybuilding then, a young amateur lightweight. I wonder if such feelings led to her decision to turn her hand to Physique, because she started in the division as soon as it was created in 2011, and immediately won her pro card. As a lightweight, it was probably the logical move, but I can't help wondering whether Ayanna thought the judging would be more consistent in the new division, that she could be sure about what the judges would be looking for. And since her pro debut in Orlando in 2012, the judges have, to be fair, largely been consistent with Ayanna, placing her somewhere in the top five but outside the top two with only a 16th in New York in 2014 the standout incongruous placing. But Ayanna came back in 2015 to breakthrough with a win in Orlando, qualifying her for her first Olympia.



In New York (top left) in 2012, where she was 4th, and (bottom left) 5th in 2015...
And Orlando (top right) in 2014, placing 16th(!) and (bottom right) 1st in 2015

And the judges' verdict was... 14th. I'll say it again: 14th. Now, as always, I add the caveat that I am in no way qualified to comment, and I know the Olympia is "the best of the best" and all, but I ask you - can you explain to me what it was about Ayanna's best ever contest package that made the judges think she belonged in 14th?



But here's the thing. Disappointed as she undoubtedly was - I ended up in 3rd call out, she said, obviously didn't place as well as I would have liked - Ayanna still loved every single minute of the experience. I was blessed to grace the Olympia stage! she exclaimed to her Instagram followers, calling it a dream of many but the experience of only a few. After so many years of competition, Ayanna knows very well that the only judge she needs to please is herself. I am very happy with my look and the package I brought as I have only continued to get better with each showing.




The love of the process, the single-minded determination to constantly improve and push herself beyond her limits. It's not about the placings for Ayanna, it's about the results. And it has always been that way it seems. I was always physically competitive, I began doing push ups and sit ups at home at age 11, she says. This was the only way I felt I could become just as strong and athletic as the boys.



I imagine these days boys do press-ups so they can be as strong as athletic as Ayanna, or at least strong and athletic enough to get Ayanna's attention! And who wouldn't want the attention of a woman as strong, sexy and classy as Ayanna looked before the Olympia after party? Be honest champ, wrote one of her (male) Instagram admirers of the photo below, you get a lot of gawking in public with that physique don't you? Especially all dolled up... Ayanna didn't reply. Let's face it, she didn't need to. And I doubt she sought the judges' advice about improvements for next time around either.



So much fun sharing the stage with others who share your passion! she said after the show. No one else can better relate to all that it takes us to take our bodies to this level. And it's through this understanding that a greater respect, admiration and bond is created. We remember why we do this. We all personify our very own expression of beauty and we own it. No one can ever take that from us! We did the damn thing! A placement could never dictate our hard work to get to this level. We're all winners because there's only a small percentage of people in the world that can actually do what we do. We sacrifice much, getting little to nothing in return but we continue to show up. Now that's what you call true passion and love!




Now that's what I call PRIDE!



Feel the love and passion by following Ayanna on her Instagram and Facebook. And you can watch Ayanna proudly flexing her way to her first pro win in Orlando in August while she's interviewed backstage wearing a big old victory afterglow here.



Enjoy!

For C, so proud and passionate, with love and admiration