IFBB Figure Pro

Social media links:
Facebook: Adrienne Matthews
Instagram: dradrienneifbbpro_figuredowt

The winding road to my decision to embark upon competitive bodybuilding was years in the making. In my early 40s, I hired an online trainer [who happened to be an IFBB Figure Pro] to help me lose weight for my 20th-year college reunion. She developed meal plans and workouts for me as if I were a competitive bodybuilder. The results were amazing. I then began researching the sport (e.g., the various divisions, the NPC/IFBB rules, etc.). I was in awe of the physiques, especially those of the figure division ladies. From that point forward, I wanted to achieve the figure division physique. Although I wanted to learn how to achieve that specific physique, it was not until five (5) years later that I had the courage to embark upon competing in my first bodybuilding show. During those five years that passed, I allowed self-doubt to talk me out of pursuing something I knew I really wanted but perceived myself as too old to accomplish.

However, in 2020 at the ripe age of 45 years, I decided to turn those negative thoughts into voices in my head of affirmation, dive in headfirst and train for and compete in my first bodybuilding show. I began training in January 2020, and when the gyms closed in March, I purchased as much used equipment as possible to outfit my garage such that I could continue my training at home for my Oct 2020 NPC show. I refused to allow the COVID-19 pandemic to derail my plans and goal. Albeit a smaller show, I did well at my first bodybuilding competition and had a wonderful experience! From that point forward, I was hooked! I did four (4) NPC shows in my inaugural year as a competitive bodybuilder, including one (1) National level show. And four (4) years and sixteen (16) shows later, I am still going strong!

In my first year competing as an IFBB Pro (i.e., 2023), I competed in seven (7) Pro shows and my results were outstanding, in my humble opinion. Except for one show, because it was a Masters-only Pro show (i.e., Maxfit Classic), I competed in both Masters and Open classes. Among these seven (7) shows in which I competed in 2023, I earned seven (7) 1^st place medals/trophies and placed in the top 10 (i.e., 7^th) in Open in one of my Pro shows.

The desire to keep improving my physique and increasing my knowledge of the sport has kept me motivated, focused, and more importantly disciplined. I study the content the top figure division ladies share on social media to learn from them, and I've become quite the sponge for quality bodybuilding content in general as a method to glean information to use to make me a better athlete. My future bodybuilding goals are simple --- {a} place among the top 3 [preferably place 1^st]  in the Masters classes at all my Pro shows I do in 2024, {b} place among the top 5 in Open in at least one of my 2024 Pro shows, and {c} be invited to or earn my way to the 2025 Masters Olympia.

It has been an honor and privilege to participate and compete in the sport of competitive bodybuilding, be a part of the Game Time Fitness team, and represent the Gorilla Labz Athletics Apparel brand as a sponsored athlete.   

Check out her feature article in Southern Muscle Guide