Lisa O'Brien

Bio: I am 23 years old from Pottstown, PA. I am a 2008 graduate (as valedictorian) from Slippery Rock University where I double majored in exercise science and dance. Beginning this August, I will be attending the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue a career as a physician in possibly sports medicine. I teach about 17 group fitness classes a week in different areas of the Philly suburbs, which includes teaching daily classes at 5:30am through Epic Boot Camp. Other classes include yoga, Zumba, abs, Powerflex, etc. I am also a personal trainer at a local YMCA.

STATS:
age: 23
height: 5'9"
weight: competition- 133lbs  off season- 145lbs
eyes: blue/hazel
hair: light brown

CERTIFICATIONS:
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
AFAA Primary Group Fitness Instructor
Hi-Tech Yoga Institute Instructor
Zumba Fitness Instructor
Epic Boot Camp Instructor
America Red Cross- First Aid / CPR

I have been a figure competitor for 2 years. I got into figure competitions as a way to become healthier and to gain a more positive body image. For the majority of my life I was always at least 25 pounds underweight. This was a norm of mine, but it wasn't very healthy. I knew I needed to gain a healthy body weight, but of course this is mentally very difficult for most females. Almost 4 years ago, I created the goal of competing in Slippery Rock University's Bodybuilding/Figure Show. I spent 2.5 years of my undergraduate career gaining weight, and eventually was able to get on that 25 pounds. I competed in the competition for the first time during my senior year of college (March 2008). I won the first place award in the tall division; it was the greatest physical challenge I have ever achieved for myself thus far! I found it so addicting, I decided to one more season of competing before taking a break and beginning medical school. I've learned a lot about my body over these past 2 seasons, and as a result I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin!

COMPETITION EXPERIENCE:
2008 Slippery Rock University BBing/Figure Show- 1st Place Tall Class,

2009 Slippery Rock University BBing/Figure Show- 1st Place Alumni Division, 2nd Place Open

2009 NPC Natural Ohio Championships- 9th Place Figure Class D

2009 NGA Natural Pittsburgh Championships- 2nd Place Novice, 4th Place Open

2009 NGA Natural Philadelphia Championships- TBA

FAVORITE EXERCISE:
Pull-ups, because I could never do them before until this past August when I had set a goal to be able to do 5 without rest. I now do 3-4 sets of 5 during my back workouts =)

FAVORITE BODY PART TO WORKOUT:
Back!

TRAINING PHILOSOPHY:
Each day is a different experience that challenges my body, mind and soul to a greater level.

HOBBIES:
Teaching yoga, Zumba, etc; scenic running; dancing; rocking out to electronic music

Lisa O'Brien  LisaK@obrien-9.com

Natural Bodybuilding at its Finest, Lift for Life.com

Photo credit - Bill Comstock of Muscular Development