Haley Chakalos says that she's supported by a suite of college roommates who have become her sisters over the last four years. And, soon the Connecticut student says her girls will be at Fitness New England to cheer her on in the Figure Division. At 5'4", 155 lbs., Haley competes in crossfit and runs half marathons. Academically, she's attending nursing school and will soon travel to Per, Ghana and Fiji for international internships. But, for now, Haley is prepping for Foxwoods Casino in May.

Isabelle Atkinson dreamed about competing at her first Fitness America Weekend show since the day she started training in September. She had already claimed 2nd place at the ’14 Fitness New England show. Isabelle says, “It was such an honor to place 2nd in the Ms. Bikini Open Medium amongst beautiful women from all over the world. I truly love competing in FAP. It gives me the opportunity to meet men and women from all different walks of life where we all have one thing in common – our passion for fitness. I’m excited to start working on my fitness career this upcoming year and my second season as a Ms. Bikini competitor!” – Photo by: Gordon Smith

’14 Ms. Bikini New England 2nd place winner Elizabeth Sousa is feeling proud of herself. Despite the challenges of the high heat and humidity and vacation mindset she managed to get her 5 days of weight training in this week. Elizabeth has become a regular at her gym and is often approached with complimentary messages and requests for training advice. Even though she is on vacation and would rather sleep through her alarm, she still gets up. Elizabeth says, “By 10:00 a.m. I’m home making pancakes for the family just rolling out of bed. I feel accomplished and excited to enjoy the rest of the day. No one has time for the gym, or building a new business, or learning a new skill. We have to make the time! It’s about organizing our thoughts, using some creativity and making some sacrifices to achieve success.”

People ask Ms. Bikini New England Competitor Molly DelleChiaie, Why would you continue to torture yourself by eating like you do if you have 18 weeks before your next show? She responds,

“If I was feeling tortured or unhappy– I wouldn’t do it.  I completely changed my life and nutritional lifestyle and I don’t ever want to go back.  All of this has been for ME, and that is why I continue to do it.”

Molly has learned great ways to cook and discovered delicious meals to eat.  They are also much healthier than what she was eating before she began training.  Molly has been prepping early not just for the show but for herself also.

Competing for the first time, Bostonian Isabelle Atkinson nearly snatched the Ms. Bikini New England Medium Class. The 5’6″, 130 lbs., 22 year old advertising and marketing administrator says, “I love the fitness industry and helping empower other women.” Isabelle explains she wants to become a fitness model and continue to experience being on stage and in front of the lights.

Ms. Bikini New England Classic competitor Stacy Newman may not have competed ever before, but the 5’3″, 108 lbs. housewife says it has only driven to aspire. “Getting on stage for the first time is why I am so passionate about this later in life. It goes to prove you can do anything you set your mind.” The 42 year old mother says she’s a self proclaimed chef who loves to take naughty comfort food and experIment with clean healthier options. “I have turned my weak, undernourished body into a powerhouse. Getting ready to compete has been an amazing journey. This is just the beginning.” Stacy will be on stage in Hartford with nearly 200 other ladies from throughout the Northeast in the biggest natural show of the spring season.

With the spring season comes a plethora of amazing new talent who are breaching the veil of comfort gym training on to the public stage. Alyson Webster has been a dedicated fitness athlete for many years. Athletics have always been a part of her life. Alyson attended Merrimack College on a scholarship to play Division II field hockey and graduated with a degree in Business Marketing. She says, “From the day I set foot in the gym, I was hooked. I set goals and finish them with a bang!”

Alyson participates in road races, obstacles courses and completed her first half marathon last summer. But last summer, she decided to strive for even loftier fitness goals and attended her first bodybuilding competition as a spectator and supporter of a good friend. “I knew at that moment I was going to be on stage one day.” Interestingly, Alyson also follows the examples set by her mother and aunt who competed in fitness competitions years ago. “Looking back, I realize I had spent a great deal of my life helping others improve their lives and spent little time and energy pursuing my own dreams.

So, next month, Alyson will take to the stage at Fitness New England to compete in her first competition participating in both the Model and Ms. Bikini™ divisions. “I am determined to show everyone that anything is possible, but I know these goals will be hard and will take determination.”

“I need a change in my life and a friend suggested I give competing a try,” explains Blair Canan. The elementary school aide says she began her fitness journey about a year ago. Now, she’s ready to compete for the first time at Fitness New England in Hartford next month. “The most amazing thing about this whole experience are the friendships I have built and the amount of people who have inspired and motivated everyday. I truly feel blessed by the amount of people I’ve have motivated, too. As long as I can continue to do that, I’m doing my job! I can’t wait to hit the stage.” Blair will competing in both the Ms. Bikini and Figure divisions.

As an Emergency Medicine Physician, you could say that Christine Huang is the most unlikely fitness competitor. For the past 4 years, she has competed in Fitness New York, New England, Universe and America shows in both the Fitness and Musclemania® Divisions. At 5’3″, 116 lbs., 44 years old, Christine is a New York native and Taiwanese American with a 1st degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She is a book author and petite runway fashion/swim wear/lingerie model. When asked why someone with such academic and professional achievements enjoyed competing in fitness shows, Christine answered simply, “I just thrive on living all of my passions no matter how unique.”