Throwback Athletes

I don’t know where to start. I decided I wanted to compete in the NPC after years of weight training. Thankfully, I found Shelby. With her guidance, I’ve been very successful and earned my IFBB Pro status in the summer of 2014. Since I’ve been with her, I’ve seen other competitors go from being out of the top 5 without her, to winning their class after starting with Shelby. HIGHLY recommend!

I literally trust Shelby with my life! I literally trust Shelby McDaniel with my life! I have been a client of Shelby since 2015. She has always placed my health ahead of the competition and in spite of my condition Shelby has been able to transform not only beyond a National level competitor (which we did not think was possible back in 2015) but all the way to the Pro level. I also maintain my working relationship with Shelby in my off season to reset my mental health and body…

Dwayne Punter joined Shelby in July 2014 and achieved his IFBB Pro card in July 2015 at the Master’s National Championships in Pittsburgh, PA. “Shelby-Thank you for a successful season! Dreams do come true!

Do we need say more? Elisabeth came joined Shelby with the mindset of a champion. She lost over 100lbs!!!!! Not only did she learn sustainable healthy eating habits, she went the distance and pushed herself to compete in her first women’s bodybuilding show! We couldn’t be more proud of Elisabeth!!

Up until the age of 35 I never worried about my weight. I am a ballroom dancer, so I was constantly moving and training, if I needed to lose a few pounds – well I cut out the “good stuff” – the candy bars and sodas – the weight came off and I was back down to a size 0/2 and weighed 115 pounds at 5’6″. I was a smoker and that was another thing we did – have a cigarette instead of eat.

Then things changed at 35 – I got married and my priorities changed. I wanted to have children, unfortunately I went through a couple of miscarriages. At 39 I was pregnant once more, I quit smoking and dancing the day I found out and in my first trimester gained 30 pounds. I sat at home and worked behind the desk by my third trimester was at 180 pounds. Then developed gestational diabetes – by the time I gave birth to my daughter a month before my 40th birthday – I was at 210 pounds. With birth 20 pounds came off and then nothing. When my daughter was 9 months old I discovered Zumba and was ecstatic (I do not enjoy working out – it always felt like a chore) – with Zumba I got to dance and it did not feel like a workout. I came down to 145 pounds – and found out I was pregnant with my son. I did so well with him – I had gained only 17 pounds at 7 months – I was all baby – then they discovered I had hypertension and got put on bed rest – by the time I gave birth I was back up to 195 pounds.

Here I am 45 years old, with hypertension (it has remained with me since my last pregnancy) I was teaching 12-14 Zumba classes a week, on top of ballroom classes, so in constant motion, and stuck at 160 pounds. I made an appointment with a nutritionist – she looked at my activity level and my caloric intake and could not understand why I was not losing weight. Mind you – I had coffee for breakfast – taught endless amounts of classes – stuffed a banana in my mouth if I was lucky – and then ate whatever I could find in the refrigerator at 10pm at night. Trainers told me I need to vary up my workout – add weight bearing workouts – not that I disagree – BUT – I have two small children, I sleep 5 hours a night, I need my energy to teach the classes that pay my bills – there was not enough time in my day to ADD another activity. I felt hopeless. That is when Shelby comes in. One of my friends – started telling me about this lady she found online. My friend was a trainer – always wanted to have the physique of a body builder – but could never find the right balance of working out and nutrition. I said “Let me see what she does for you and then I will try” – well – I watched Jen’s body transform into a muscle clad beauty. Still I was skeptical – I am a Latin ballroom dancer – I want beautiful and sexy and curvy lean. Jen convinced me to try it – she said – Shelby will tailor your nutrition to you….

I worked with Shelby for a under a year. It was amazing – I finally felt like someone was LISTENING – she took into consideration – my lifestyle, lack of time, that I was an athlete, me being a mother over 40 with two small kids, the fact that I LOVED chocolate. She taught me how to eat, how not to feel guilty, to enjoy the foods that I love, how not to say “NO” but to say “YES” – and to listen to your body when it says – “I’m good – we don’t need anymore”. She taught me to eat all the time – YES I am constantly eating. My students are always laughing because I am constantly snacking between classes. Now I do have one negative – I have to carry an extra bag with me every day to work – it has all my food for the day!

Today, a year later, I am about to turn 48 and feel amazing. I weigh about 135 pounds and am a size 4/6. I maintain this weight without much mental effort. You have really given me all the tools I need to stay healthy and feel great (and look it too – for an almost 50 year old). I don’t feel guilty when I enjoy food because I know that the 95% of the time the foods that I gravitate towards, the food that I enjoy and I feel great after I am done eating is food that is great for my body. I feel great, and much healthier than I have ever been. Thank you, Shelby, for listening!

What can we say about Aissata Cisse? She is super mom! She made the decision to change her lifestyle and never looked back. Aissata has truly has made a complete body transformation. Aissata is a proud mom of two. What started as a journey to change her lifestyle has turned into a love to compete in figure competitions. The true win for Aissata is the new lifestyle and healthy mindset she will embrace forever!