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FIT FOURSOME


Friendship can get you through tough times. For these four ladies, it gets them through a tough workout

By Gina Valencia-Ramsey | Photos by Ian Spanier













We've all heard the adage that friends are good for the soul, but who knew they could be good for your hamstrings, too? For a group of four friends from Wilmington, North Carolina, friendship is just what they need to get their bodies into competition-ready shape. Meghan Belcher, Wendy Wolbert, Kim Duggan and Joan Taylor-Webb, whose ages span from early 20s to early 50s, have taken their gym efforts to the stage: Three compete in figure contests, while Wendy enters fitness contests. "This is our thing, just like those who love Harley-Davidsons," Wendy says.

THE SPARK

If there were a catalyst to the foursome's friendship, Kim would be it. When she moved to a new neighborhood, the 44-year-old nurse and mother of two began exercising at the local Gold's Gym, not only to stay healthy but also to meet people. This wasn't the beginning of Kim's foray into fitness, though. The former beauty queen has always been active, whether running 5K races or group marathons. "I used to exercise with my dad and oldest son. We were three generations of exercise enthusiasts," she says. But when Kim hit 40, she decided it was time to challenge herself physically. One day during her workout the challenge presented itself: Someone at the gym asked if she was a figure competitor.

"I had never competed, but it got me interested to find out more about it," Kim says. After doing some research, she decided to compete in the 2003 Gold's Classic. It was during her training for this competition that she met Meghan, who worked at the gym, and Joan. The three hit it off and became good friends. When the competition rolled around, Joan accompanied her for moral support.

"I came in dead last," Kim recalls of her 10th-place finish in her height class. She didn't let that discourage her from competing, though. After questioning other contestants about their diets, Kim changed her nutrition. It did the trick. She placed first in her class in the 2004 Elite Show in Greensboro, North Carolina. "It was amazing," she remarks. "All the effort, work and sacrifice I had put into this competition, on top of trying to lead a normal life, paid off. The thrill of victory!"


FRIENDLY COMPETITION

Watching her friend onstage at the Gold's Classic inspired Joan, 52, to give competition a shot. "I'm a late bloomer," the physical therapist says. "But seeing Kim compete made me think, I can do that." As a former tennis player, Joan enjoys staying physically motivated. There was a time in her life, however, when working out was a negative form of escape. When she was 45, her son Kameron died. "I exercised to work out my grief, but I overdid it," she says. "After six months, I felt drained and numb." Realizing she was exercising as a way to alleviate her pain, she decided to refocus her life. She left her job as a nursing home director and opened her own physical therapy practice. Joan also began working out with a friend from church.

"She became a great encourager," Joan says.

With time, exercise and a revived faith, Joan began to feel physically and spiritually stronger and ready to tackle her next challenge, the 2004 Gold's Classic. She was 49 years old when she competed in her first contest.

At the same time, 22-year-old Meghan, a college student at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and chiropractic assistant, was training to compete in the same show, also her first.

This time, it was Kim's turn to support her friends. Meghan won the short class and Joan won the tall class — beating out a 28-year-old. "That was a boost to my ego," she remembers. Meghan and Joan then competed against each other for the overall — Meghan walked away as the victor.

After the show, they approached the judges, one of whom was Wendy, for advice. Kim introduced herself formally since she had noticed her before at the gym. "That's the show where we all came together," she says. "We became fast friends."


THE TIE THAT BINDS

After that meeting, the foursome would see each other at the gym and began exchanging nutrition and fitness advice. Wendy, who has more experience in the bodybuilding world, sees herself as a mentor in the gym.

"I like to be helpful and make sure we're all on track," she says. "It's about staying focused, reminding each person of her goals, not always just on competing. I like to keep that in perspective."

Wendy, a general contractor who has worked hard for the body of a 20-year-old, will go only as far as saying she's "30-something" when asked her actual age. She has always loved staying active. She was involved in bodybuilding in her early 20s and was later motivated by her husband Mike, a bodybuilder himself, to give fitness a try.

"I met friends at the gym who competed and decided to try it," Wendy says. "I enjoyed how it made me feel, mentally and physically." She must because she has competed in about 10 contests across the nation. She won the overall title in the 2002 North Carolina State Championships and took first place in her height class at the 2004 Junior Nationals. She became a judge four years ago when she noticed a lack of women judges at these all-female events.

Unfortunately for the foursome, last January Wendy moved from Wilmington to Smithfield, North Carolina, with her husband and son to run their own fitness club, Body Fit. She often visits Wilmington, where the family owns a beach home. "When I'm in town, Kim and I get together to work out," she says.


STRENGTH, SHAPE AND SISTERHOOD

They all agree that fitness and nutrition are just part of who they are and their lifestyle. They're also quick to point out that having friends who share the same goals helps with staying focused and motivated. "At times when I feel off track, I'll run into Kim at the gym and I'll feel the twinge of competition," Joan says. "Kim always motivates me; she's very bubbly."

But the women don't just provide one another a pat on the back. Competing in figure and fitness is a costly endeavor, and the four have borrowed suits from one another and shared tips about training, nutrition and stage presence. "They're like a comfort zone, especially [when I was] new at competing," Meghan says. "They're my go-to group for advice."

More than workout buddies, these women have created real camaraderie. "These relationships have provided me with three valued friends who champion that same healthy lifestyle that I live," Kim says.

Wendy agrees: "It's nice to have the support of friends who understand what you do. You feel connected because they've undergone the same sacrifices and discipline. It's comforting; it creates a little bond." It's this bond and support that has helped these four fitness friends achieve physical and personal goals — including those killer hamstrings. HERS


PERFORMANCE PRINCIPLES This fitness-minded quartet has some distinct views on how to achieve success, both in and out of the gym

(Shown above, left to right)

Meghan Belcher, 22: "Competing and working out give me motivation, focus and discipline. They help me manage my priorities. [Competing] can be a risk; you can pay a lot of money and not place. As long as you feel and look better than your last show, stay focused on that."

Wendy Wolbert, 30-something: "Fitness is more about a mind-set than physical training. The mind is the strongest muscle of your being; it will take you through the hard times. If it's strong, it affects your whole persona. Working out and sticking with it is not easy. You have to be very organized and determined. This applies to all of life. You can do anything at any age, as long as you get out there and try."

Kim Duggan, 44: "Exercise and diet are the keys to longevity. Staying healthy is the main goal. It's a dedication to leading a healthy, active lifestyle, and making exercise and proper nutrition a priority in daily living. The benefits are tremendous; it improves my mood."

Joan Taylor-Webb, 52: "God comes first. Everything else falls into place. When you bring your body into a healthy discipline, it is a parallel to the spiritual side. Remember, 'this too shall pass,' no matter what happens to you."

    

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