By JARROD POTTER
INTERNATIONALLY awarded bodybuilding champion Mary Carra did not take the traditional route into the sport.
The last two years has been a whirlwind for Endeavour Hills’s Mary Carra, 36, who has gone from weighing 98 kilograms to a 62kg silver medallist at the International Natural Bodybuilding Association (INBA) World Championship in Nitra, Slovakia, last month.
Her journey towards the bodybuilding championships started when her weight severely impacted her plans for a family and she has pursued ever-increasing health and fitness goals ever since.
“I was almost 98 kilos 20 months ago and to go from obese to a silver medallist and turn professional in such short time was quite a phenomenal achievement and I was so rapt with how it all went,” Carra said.
“It was my health – I hit that point at my age and I had polycystic ovary syndrome and really wanted to start a family and family planning was my main driver for my weight loss.
“Started my weight-loss journey and hit my goal weight and wanted a new goal – I always loved health and fitness and that’s where I found my passion and love for bodybuilding.”
The love of fitness enhanced her physique and a chance meeting with other bodybuilders inspired her to reach for the pinnacle of the sport.
Her first competition was only in March this year and in that time she has finished overall in first for the figure category in the INBA Melbourne Classics and earned her qualification to the world championships.
With competitions based upon varying height classes, age groups and musculature categories – Carra impressed the Slovakian judges to earn her silver medal in the Ms Physique PRO category and fifth in Ms Physique.
“I don’t think it’s sunk in yet – I think of it as a fantastic achievement, but I don’t think it has sunk in,” Carra said about winning the medal.
“With my bodybuilding it’s always been about my next goal… and riding this wave and I haven’t had much time to reflect on my achievements.”
She said her husband Matt and coach Hugo Rivera had provided great support for her efforts.
Carra encouraged anyone who wants to pursue a significant weight-loss program to just get started and not place any boundaries on their ability.
“I would say we all have the potential,” Carra said.
“When we realise that inner strength and potential, anything is possible.
“I’d love to tell people to not set limits on yourself – the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves.”
