The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Grand Bahamian Charnice Bain became the latest Bahamian to earn her professional bodybuilding card, although it went under the radar in the Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation and not highlighted like the other accomplishments of Bahamian bodybuilders.

The highlight was on the team that recently participated in the Central American and Caribbean Bodybuilding Championships in Mexico City where they finished with nine medals, including three gold, for second place.

Competing at the 2018 NPC Teen Collegiate and Masters National Championships in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on July 18, Bain was awarded the honour after she won the Figure title.

As she returned home to celebrate, Bain said when one achieves a victory from a goal they were determined to reach, they accomplish three things: "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, nothing happens before its time and you must never give up," said Bain, also known as "Storm."

Bain said she received that revelation after winning the title.

"I just asked the Lord to use me to inspire Bahamians to stop giving up," she stated. "I am a trainer and I see so many people giving up and quitting on their weight loss journey. "Even when they achieve their goals, a lot of them give up and put the weight back on. That's why the motto for our gym, Body4Ever, is 'We get fit, we stay fit.'"

Bain said it has been a long journey for her and the road wasn't always easy, but she managed to persevere, having competed in the Miss Bahamas Body Fitness three times.

"I feel like I was destined to win big. I have seen athletes give up over the years due to frustration, politics, discouragement and sometimes just a lack of discipline," she stated,

"Being able to present a winning physique as an overall package requires hours of training, praying, discipline and self control.You have to have a real passion for bodybuilding I learned over the years that you have to be extremely humble in this particular sport of bodybuilding because a lot of people will tell you 'you look good' and it could get to your head."

Bain said she realized that judging is subjective and sometimes the judging may not go in your favor.

"You have to humble yourself and be able to continue to rise up and improve your symmetry," she stated. "In figure, it's all about the lines, having the best symmetrical body along with skin tone and overall presentation."

For Bain, having her husband, bodybuilder Desmond Bain, as her personal trainer, has been a blessing.

"Nobody knows your body, strengths and weaknesses in the gym like my husband," she stated. "We are indeed one and compliment each other in the gym, being both trainers.

"We agree to disagree sometimes. Mostly, I have nothing but respect for him and does what he asks because I trust him and he is an excellent and awesome trainer. I build muscles quick, so he knows when to start training me on certain body parts and when to adjust my weight training."

When she starred out, Bain said she was training herself, but she knew that f she wanted to go to the next level, she needed the extra help, so she relieved on the best person to get the job done, her husband.

"That was a year ago. Last year, I was on stage battling for a pro card. I got a silver medal," she remembered. "Fast forward to this year and the rest as they say is history."

Now that she's earned her pro card, Bain said her goal is to go on to compete at the best of her ability against the world's best.

"I compete with myself and focus on improving my own body because at the end of the day, that's all that matters," she pointed out. "Anyone wanting to achieve a pro level in bodybuilding will need to have discipline, to consistent, willing to make a whole lot of sacrifices and put in the hard work.

"As for what;s next for me, a lot lot of training, even harder because I'm just getting started."