British born now living in Cyprus for the past 9 years with my husband Jim "Bull" Dulson. England being my homeland were I learnt my trade and at 42 years old have been training for more than 18 years.

As a weights instructor and personal trainer, my husband and I run the gym were we first met and now own Olympic Fitness.

Unfortunately before my training days, my past was an unhealthy one. I never got involved in any sports and regret many wasted years. I was involved in fashion industry and the closest I came to activity was dancing all night. I knew that eventually my life would have to change.

Eventually, I joined a gym in an effort to become stronger and fitter I finally learnt he feeling of the natural high that comes with lifting weights I discovered I was naturally strong and had good genetics for the weights. I become excited when poundages increased and my body wanted more. I became focused and was taught to do all the basic power lifting moves and hence built a solid foundation.

Reflecting back, I became totally obsessed, until this day the sickness still runs thick in my veins.
I just loved to train and never thought of competing until several years later when I met my husband. Jim saw a potential in me and with his vast 35 years experience, streamlined my blocky physique. He gave me the courage and inspiration to compete. I realized my dream of being an athlete.

My first show was the Cyprus national show in 1995, at 58kg. With a first place win we caused a riot, as Cyprus had never seen a real female bodybuilder before. From there we continued and took the :
1996 Cyprus grandprix
2000 Cyprus grandprix
2000 Mediterranean championships (my biggest success yet)
2003 Cyprus grandprix

We decided then to venture on and try for The Women's World Championships in Spain.
The standard was very high and for a first time effort at 64 kg as an unknown, I held my own and was noticed

A typical day is spent looking after my family and running my business and training; I wake up 5:30 am and prepare our food. I start at the gym at 7:00am. We train for approximately two hours; one hour cardio, one hour weights session. I leave the gym around 11:00am, when I shop, cook and clean and return to the gym at 1:00pm until 8:30 or 9:00 o'clock.

I begin with administration and programs, train for two hours then continue with client until my day is finished. When I get home at night I continue my chores until 11pm.

With training, I'm a firm believer in hitting it hard and heavy; I like to feel the weight when I can, always with strict form for better results and to avoid injury
.
In the off-season my routine goes something like this: - today's on 1 day off rotating over 9 days.

Morning-small body part
Afternoon-larger body parts
Day 1 biceps - chest
Day 2 shoulders - back
Day 3 off - cardio abs calves
Day 4 - triceps - legs

Examples of some poundages and best lifts are:

45 - 50kg - incline dumbbell press
40 - 45kg - dumbbell flyes
30 - 35 kg - dumbbell rows/pull overs
28 - 30kg - dumbbell curves
160 - 180kg - squats /dead lifts
600 -650kg - leg press

In my opinion my best body part are my biceps - back and shoulders I enjoy training all body parts, especially chest and legs. I can't say I have any least favorite exercises, as I aim to improve them all.

During the pre-contest, I continue to train as heavy as I can, I don't believe in dropping the weights used too much as this helps to stay full and hard inevitably. I weaken at the final stages. I still train in 2 sessions a day, from Monday to Saturday and include two-60 minute cardio sessions daily.

In the off-season my diet is a combination of high protein and high carbs, pre-contest diet
Is streamlined to consist of high protein and slowly decreasing carbs, made up of four to five meals. I switch to whey protein taking four to five drinks a day and enjoy frozen condensed protein as ice cream. This helps me get through the long nights.

In today views of judging women's bodybuilding, I believe the judges are confused as to what they want there for making their job very difficult.
I believe it's a very fine line between masculinity and muscularity, hence this reflects on the judging from year to year, from picking massive muscular girls and switching to the smaller muscles, but softer look the following year.

I believe to look for something in the middle. Women must reach a certain level and must be maintained and for the top spot not to be dominated by only a few women. I like to see a well muscled, pleasing symmetry and shape complete with a hard ripped finish.
I believe this is feminine and the way to go.

Although, bodybuilding as a family is a big part of our lives, we try not to become obsessed with it.
Trips on a friend's boat fishing and swimming we enjoy other activities with our son playing football, basketball and laser warriors.

We enjoy eating out with friends and entertaining at home. Long Winter nights are spent relaxing with DVDs and hot soup.

As both Jim and my roots lay in England are ambitions are to compete for the British
Championships in October 2004. With the help of good friend Kimberly Ann Jones, British IFBB champion.

My preparation is going well and we will work hard in trying to obtain my pro card. The next step will be to take time out and reevaluate the next step.