The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Willisa 'Phoenix' Armstrong got started in physical training in 2014 to lose weight, she gained enough confidence to overcome her fears to step on the stage to compete as a fitness competitor.

Today, the 41-year-old personal fitness trainer, paddle board instructor and voice-over artist has excelled to the point that she's eager to see how far she can go in the sport.

"I love the way I look. I love the way I felt. My body energy shot through the roof," she said.

"I was dealing with a lot of things emotionally and mentally at the time, but the gym became a place of therapy for me.

"I was able to release and become a place for therapy for me where I found a sense of purpose as well. It gave me something to focus on because I was dealing with a lot of things at the time. I was a person who was dealing with anxiety and depression at the time and the gym helped with that."

Returning to the sport after she took a hiatus from her maiden international competition in 2015 in Las Vegas, Armstrong is coming off her victory in the Bahamas Athletic Physique Alliance's Fitness Connection Bahamas at the University of the Bahamas in August where she won the overall Wellness B class and was named the best poser.

The mother of her 22-year-old son Victron Lynes Jr and grandmother to Brayden Lynes is now heading off to Panama City from October 3-4th to compete in the NPC Panama Fall Classic to continue her quest to journey to becoming the next Bahamian female to compete at The Olympia behind Dekel 'Bowflex Barbie' Quant, who will be on stage tonight at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.

"I feel proud of myself," said the self-coached Armstrong. "I brought myself to the point where I am, so I feel proud of my accomplishment to get to this point.

"I feel motivated because I'm not just doing this for myself, but to be an inspiration to other young women and I do believe this is my platform to give them something that they're able to get some release in terms of their mental and physical health."

BAPA and Fitness Connection showed their appreciation of encouragement and support to Armstrong by helping her with her expenses to travel to Panama City, Panama, to represent The Bahamas at this year’s Panamanian Bodybuilding, Wellness & Fitness Classic.

"Willis has put in the work, done her homework, and demonstrated the dedication and determination required to compete at this level," BAPA said. "She proved her ability by fiercely conquering the Women’s Wellness title at this year’s Bahamas Athletic Physique Alliance Championship.

"The talent, skill, discipline, and potential are all there, and we have every confidence that Willisa will represent herself, BAPA, Fitness Connection, and The Bahamas with pride."

While BAPA said they are rooting for Armstrong, they encourage to "take everything you have worked for to Panama, leave it all on that stage, and represent our country with the same determination that brought you this far."

BAPA is headed by former Bahamas Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Joel Stubbs. They were formed in this year as an alternative for local bodybuilders to participate in other than the BBFF.

"Every bit counts," said Armstrong of the contribution. "I've been doing this with the support from random strangers, persons I thought would have never supported me in this process.

"I actually left my full-time job in March. I was not happy there. My mental health was suffering, so I left. I've just been focusing on my bodybuilding and building my clientele, trying to establish my business and continuing to focus on competing."

By the grace of God, Armstrong said she's grateful to the persons he placed in her pathway. Her ultimate goal is to be the Bahamian female to follow Quant at The Olympia.

"I have to get to the Arnold Classic and then get the invitation to compete at The Olympia," she pointed out.

"I'm very proud as an athlete and a female athlete to see what Dekel has achieved,

"She's been at this for a long time and he has never given up. I'm sure there have been struggles because from my own personal experience, I know how challenging it can be. So, I'm proud of her for sticking with it. I'm proud of her for making the achievement that she has made as the first Bahamian female to have been invited to The Olympia and has made it."

Armbrstong thanked her physical therapist Reneè Minus of Box Fit Nation and Brittany Sargant of B'Gorgeous Nails Beauty Salon, who sponsored her nails and lashes for her competition.

As she prepares to continue her journey, Armstrong, she wants people to know that "your story does not end in the places where you struggled, fell short, or had to begin again.

"Sometimes the greatest version of you is waiting on the other side of the moment you almost gave up. Keep showing up. Keep choosing yourself. Keep rising even when no one else can see what you are becoming yet."

Like the Phoenix, which she uses as her nickname, Armstrong said her motto is "Mo dìde. I rise. Mo ń dìde. I am rising. Mo ti dìde. I have risen. I am Phoenix."

For those women who would have lost hope and been discouraged, Armstrong told them “Don’t give up. It might sound like a cliche line, but don't give up. Believe in yourself and don't give up.

"That was what got me to where I am. Always strive for excellence and greatness in yourself and it will eventually come out. Don't give up."