OK,
so if you ask those who know me, to describe Raquel Huggins ...the words
Energizer Bunny comes out all too often. She never stops, she's always
on the go, she is disciplined, and dedicated and she just keeps on going.
They will say that, "If you know Raquel, then you
know she is a competitive person with drive and passion." Well,
to be honest, I know they're right... In whatever it is that I am doing,
however small the task, my passion for excellence dominates me. I BELIEVE
I was just born with it.
From the age of four, I can remember always wanting to
be at my best and look my best and was never satisfied, if one hair
was out of place. My journey started at the age of four, when I was
enrolled in Ethel Bruno's Dance studio in Montreal. I began with Classical
Ballet training and the core exercises of this art.
Ballet moved me into tap dancing and classical jazz. I
began performing for events and stage shows very early on in my dance
career. At the same age, I was approached to work on Sesame Street.
That lasted two seasons. From there I began doing Fire Safety, Road
Safety and "Strangers Beware" After School Specials.
I tried my hand at karate, kickboxing and gymnastics.
The variety was great. I attended Thomas D'Arcy McGee for the Performing
and Fine Arts for my high school years. There my dance teachers, Barbara
Gayle and Maura Estrada, changed my life forever. They enriched my life
with discipline, technique and a variety of dances like the ballet,
salsa, the tango, the waltz and the fox trot... and "POINTS" to name
a few.
I continued working with my steady partner to represent
our school at the School Board Awards at Place Des Arts in Montreal.
I danced a solo and a Pas de Deux at Place Des Arts for then Prime Minster
of Canada, Brian Mulroney, in representing our school.
I also reached the first level of consideration to become
a part of Les Grands Ballet Canadians. I studied non-contemporary dance
under Edward Loc from LA LA LA HUMAN STEPS. This led to cameo appearances
on the ABC After School Special programs. Mr. John Maloney was my gym
teacher who inspired me to be more, to do more and to want more. As
a coach...he always made me feel like there was nothing I could not
do.
I then traded my point shoesfor running shoes, my tights
into shorts. I got a taste of how powerful you need to be in the sport
of track and field; this led me into basketball and volleyball in high
school. I participated in tournaments, competitions, and stage shows
and I graduated from D'Arcy McGee for The Performing and Fine Arts with
a Choreographer's Diploma from the Quebec Government as well as my Secondary
School Diploma.
I attended Dawson College still playing competitive volleyball.
I joined the Dawson Steppers Dance team dancing to hip-hop, acting and
being an extra on Student Bodies. Graduating with my Diplôme Etudes
Collegial (DEC) in Business led into the university where I studied
business administration, marketing and nutrition.
I began really getting into bodybuilding and taking weight
lifting more seriously, but then I weighed in at 170 pounds. I then
fell ill to a bacterial Infection called gastroenteritis, an illness
triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system
due to cross contamination. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, diarrhea
and vomiting. Some of the causes include viruses, bacteria, bacterial
toxins, parasites, particular chemicals and some drugs. This infection
is a virus that latches onto the lining of the stomach and basically
eats away at it.
Due to the contamination, the bacteria causes an enormous
amount of acid to be produced in the stomach. It can create ulcers,
including rendering the person immobile and weak due to not being able
to consume food. Hospitalization was a must. My epic saga of recovery
and education continued as I made my way to Toronto in search of new
goals and new levels of health and fitness.
I was exposed to the world of fitness and became so intrigued
by the level of talent, muscle and beauty this sport possessed, I knew
what my next calling would be. I looked for an organization to belong
to and my search ended in the direction of Ian Walling, who took me
to my first competition in 2000. We won Miss Figure Fitness 2000 in
Montreal, in 2001the Miss Fitness Eastern Division and Fitness Canada
Series Novice 3rd place. From there competing has been a staple in my
life. I was then chosen to be a part of the J-CREW, the Blue Jays Cheerleaders/Fan
activator Club and it didn't stop there. My road to recovery has taken
me back to dancing. I am now training to dance competitive salsa, samba
and swing with "Love to Dance Studios."
I have also graduated from schooling in the food service
industry and I am now a certified sous-chef! and on my way to being
chef.
I have competed in all sorts of Fitness and Bikini contests
this year (2004) and even made it into Oxygen Magazine! My spare time
is occupied by a very wide range of hobbies like sports, but I truly
love the "Arts." I have always considered myself very creative
and coming to Toronto has really helped spark that creativity.
Since moving here, I have created my own jewelry line,
5 STAR JEMZ. It has had major success this year at the Viva GOA trade
show, the HiyaHights Fashion Show, and the Insanity of the Black Blond
Lecture. I also incorporated my jewelry with all my appearances on and
off stage. My creations have traveled to England, Kenya, India, the
Philippines, Los Angles, Ottawa and Montreal and the United States.
This major hobby -also changes with the seasons. Christmas
is upon us and Christmas ornaments are in demand, so my collection is
also seasonal. I also enjoy designing and making my own swimsuits and
competition outfits, including decorating them myself.
Well I feel like on FIRE and I'm loving it...the training,
dancing, performing, the cooking, and the jewelry creation... Just being
fit is not enough for me. Variety is a must and there has to be a meaning
in all the things I do. I just can't get enough!!!! I love LIFE and
the different challenges it brings. I love the challenge of making improvements
to my physique with every year that passes, to be a better cook, a better
dancer, a better designer... a motivator and an educator.
I personally have not yet reached my full potential, but
I will keep working to be the best that I can be. Well there you have
it, just a tid bit about me. For those of you who have supported me,
a special and sincere thanks goes out to you WNSO, Ian Walling, Kerwin
Chandroo, Glen Grant and all the photographers that I have been honored
to meet and shoot with.
Most of all, my friends and family for helping make some
of my goals and dreams come true. Life is a struggle in whatever career
you choose, but keep your head up and believe in yourself.
