Tara Rickart
Bio:
25 plus years ago I found the gym. I was a senior in high school and not in the best shape, as a matter of fact, I would have done anything to escape the embarrassment of gym class. I was tall, a bit heavy, awkward and shy (if you can believe that ). Rarely was I picked for a team, I certainly was not the star player, and to be honest I hated having to play any type sports in front of people.
My first year in college I got tired of looking and feeling like I did, I took it upon myself to start reading, any spare moment I had you could find me buried in a Bodybuilding magazine. I was enamored by the gorgeous physiques of Cory Everson, Lenda Murray, Rachel M, Sue Price and countless others. The college had a small gym and next thing I knew I was creating my own workouts based on magazine articles. I studied diets, nutrition, I counted calories and macros before macros were famous!
It was in these hours in the gym that I found myself, I was not there to play on a team, or impress a crowd, the team was me and I was winning. Week by week I grew stronger, learned more and challenged myself, before I knew it I was feeling better, I had more confidence and people were asking me for advice.
25 years later I’m still going strong, been on the competition stage and won, despite what people have said. I’ve been called ugly, manly, disgusting and some other nasty things. Sometimes it stings, it makes me angry and occasionally will make me feel bad about myself. Those are the days I make myself go back to the place it all started, the gym. Picking up a weight and seeing what my body has accomplished and is capable of restores my feeling of well being. There is always going to be someone that tries to undermine you, or make fun of you, but that person does not define you, that person is never going to stop you from shining; they can’t, unless you let them.
Find your place of strength, whether it be outside, your room, or the gym; the people that are laughing now will not be the ones laughing later. Be strong, stay happy and become Wicked.
