More titles for vegan bodybuilder
Leah Coutts has had another great season and collected more silverware and titles.
The Australian vegan has competed in three competitions in a few weeks of hectic success. First she entered Ms Fitness Australia in the Pro class where she became Figure Pro Champion and Figure Classic Pro Champion.
A week later she entered the PNBA show. This is a tested competition, so Leah was competing against other natural women. She was crowned Figure Classic Pro Champion and Women’s Physique Pro Champion. Leah also took 2nd in Figure Pro.
Soon after she competed in the WNBF with whom she was not a Pro Card holder. Leah won the Figure Masters and was awarded her pro card. She was also awarded her Pro Card in Figure Open and took second in Fit Body.
Success has not come easily to Leah, who has suffered chronic pain caused by hypermobility. This means that her joints don’t quite hold her together as they should. In her late teens and early 20s, her shoulder was continually popping in and out. This caused her capsule to wear away. She’s had three surgeries and had to re-learn basics like walking, sitting, driving, and strength exercises.
“I had numerous medical professionals tell me I’d never be able to pursue my fitness goals,” Leah explains. And here she is!
Vegan powered
“Being a professional bodybuilder means so much more being vegan” she told Great vegan Athletes after the WNBF show. Leah turned vegan in 2014 after reading about ethics and considering how she could alter her impact on others.
“I take great pride in knowing that no animals were intentionally harmed in the building of my physique. I’m always surprised when people are shocked to find out I’m vegan with the muscle I have. I honestly don’t believe it’s harder being vegan, but there are different strategies to learn. Once you know how, it just becomes your lifestyle. And there are so many amazing vegan protein sources out there now, if anyone was considering a change in lifestyle, now’s the time to do it!”
The PNBA and WNBF federations have competitions internationally as well as nationally, and this is key to Leah, who thrives on challenges and ambitious aspirations. She also appreciates the stringent testing that WNBF in particular apply to their competitions.
Leah will be following the competitions to the upcoming Natural Olympia and WNBF Worlds, and we sense her eager anticipation of the challenges they bring.
“I’m proud to be a natural athlete and to be representing Australia – and the animals – on the world stage” she says.
We can’t wait to see how she gets on!
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