Three Labradorian bodybuilders, known as “Team Labrador.” recently competed at the 2012 Newfoundland and Labrador Amateur Bodybuilding Association competition, in St. Johns NL. Kayla Nolan of Happy Valley- Goose Bay placed 1st in the bikini-short division, Justin Baikie from Northwest River came 2nd in the heavyweight division, while Aaron Hopkins of Makkovik also placed 2nd in the light heavyweight division.
“I’m really happy with how it all turned out,” says Team Labrador founder and coach Collin Baikie. “I’m satisfied with them for just doing the show. It’s a big accomplishment.”
25-year-old Justin Baikie, who is Collin’s brother, is the most experienced bodybuilder of the three. This was Justin’s second NLABBA completion. Despite doing extremely well and placing 2nd, he had his heart set on first place.
“We all thought he was going to come in first,” says Collin. “But in this sport the judges make the call…Justin is going to keep training hard.”
Hopkins, 16, and Nolan, 23, are relatively new to the bodybuilding world. This was their first ever competition, so Colin worked more closely with them.
“We put them on certain diets and training plans.” says Collin. “I wasn’t surprised with how well they did because they were training so hard…their bodies were transforming dramatically.”
Colin was particularly impressed with how Hopkins remained focused and disciplined, despite Hopkins’s young age.
“It’s good to see guys from small towns like Makkovik compete,” says Colin. “He’s very mature for his age. He’s the first person from the north coast to do this.”
Kayla Nolan has always been athletic, since her days growing up in Goose Bay. But she didn’t even think about competitive body bodybuilding until Colin convinced her to try it out.
“My first reaction was ‘oh my god I can’t do that,’” says Nolan. “That is way out of my character.
“I’d been after Kayla to compete for the last two years because I knew she had potential,” says Colin. “She had a good physique…she works really hard.”
Nolan is taking massage therapy courses in St. Johns and also has a part time job. So, when she started training in September, it was a tough balancing act. Nolan often would study while working out at the gym.
When it was time for the competition, Nolan had a bit of stage fright.
“My heart was pounding. I was just like ‘oh my god this is crazy, this is crazy,’” says Nolan.
With her 1st place win, Nolan has earned herself a trip to Winnipeg to compete at the National level. Nolan’s sudden success at bodybuilding has caught her by surprise and she’s not sure what the future will hold.
“I’m just going to take it day by day,” she said.
