A few years ago I noticed that I had started to gain weight at a fast rate after giving up sports in high school. I had terrible eating patterns and would often find myself excessive amounts of food to the point of feeling sick, I had no self-control and began extremely lazy. My decision to make a change came when I was walking to the letter box and I couldn't catch my breath. I was so unfit and overweight that I started to find even the most basic tasks exhausting. I lost all self-confidence and was ashamed to even socialise with my friends. One day my sister asked if I wanted to join the local gym. At first, I was extremely hesitant but agreed, I stepped on the scales for the first time and was absolutely shocked to see that my weight was sitting at 108kg. I made small goals to try and come to the gym on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 30 mins. As time went on I increased this to 5 days and managed to drop 40kg. I slowly cut out the crap food and replaced with whole foods.

I started with Jo over three years ago after becoming frustrated not seeing any change in my body shape even though I was “dieting” and exercising.  With Jo’s guidance, not only did we change how I look, we changed how I felt about my body and repaired my relationship with food.  I’ve since gone onto compete on the bodybuilding stage and continue to work with Jo with all my health and fitness goals.  I cannot recommend Jo highly enough to anyone wanting to make a positive change in their lives.

In 2018 I won the NZ National Title for the Nabba New Zealand Classic Physique Class and the 2019 Best Poser award at Nabba Taranaki

It was during my holiday in South America late last year that I first decided to compete in a bodybuilding show. I had always had a passion for health and fitness and had been involved in things such as running, crossfit, horse riding and netball before discovering a love for working out.

I was going to need someone to help me get there. I started researching online prep coaches, and was recommended to Johanna Mountfort through word of mouth. After booking to meet her I flew up to Auckland to meet her. I told her about my goals and ambitions and that same very day locked in dates for my first competition. I walked away feeling like everything was real, this wasn’t something I was just talking about, this was something that was going to happen.

Within a few days I had my first training program. Every program from then on was created with the purpose of presenting the best possible package I could come stage time. The programs were always fully explained in detail and she ensured I was educated about the reasoning for everything she asked me to do so I could understand it better, making it so much easier to follow.

Jo is always reliable in terms of getting me my programs and communicates frequently with me on her own accord. The vast amount of knowledge and experience she has rubbed off on me and installed confidence in me that I could actually achieve my goals.

The main thing I am grateful for is the relationship that Jo and I have created. She doesn’t just treat me like a client, more like a friend, and her genuine care for myself and all the rest of her clients is obvious. There is also unrivalled team unity on Jo’s team, with incredible support from everyone, no matter what stage they are on in their own journeys. Her expertise in Bodybuilding Posing for Bikini Class was also very helpful as this was something I had never had to do before!

I achieved my goals and then some, winning my class at the NABBA/WFF Wellington champs- my first show before going on to place third at the federations national championships. This exceeded all my expectations! The amount I achieved throughout my first prep with Jo was almost unbelievable. I had grown so much, not just physically, but mentally too. Not only had I achieved my goal of getting on stage, I had learnt so much and found the lifestyle that I want to continue to follow moving forward. I pushed myself to places I had never been before, trained when I didn’t think I could train anymore, stuck to diet plans even when times got hard and learnt so many skills that I can now apply to the rest of my life.

I cannot thank Jo enough for shaping me into a strong confident women through my passion for bodybuilding. I was given the honour of being chosen as one of Jo’s new sponsored athletes for 2019, something I am so grateful for and proud of. I am now a few weeks into my off season and I am more motivated than ever to improve. I know exactly what I need to do and Jo has put the plans in place to ensure that 2019 will be even better!

100% Team Mountfort!

 

Johanna is by far the best coach I have worked with!

She keeps me challenged and motivated and always wants what is best for her clients. With her support, programmes, and posing routine, I competed in my first figure competition and felt amazing! My transformation was beyond my own expectations!

I had confidence, muscles and the biggest smile, thanks to this amazing woman. Thanks Jo! You are such an inspiration <3