Demelza Corish

“Never say that its too late to start something new!”

Getting into the bodybuilding and competing scene came a little later in life for me. My teens and early 20’s were a mix of long distance running, group sports, and the stairmaster.

Right before I hit my 30s in 2016, one of my best friends in the whole world decided to do a bodybuilding competition in Perth. I was living in Hedland at the time and in need of a new and exciting hobby. She asked me if I would compete with her, so the competitive side of me said yes straight away.

I decided to coach myself for the comp…I had the science degree and had worked in the fitness industry in my early 20s, so felt ok about it. I had 6 months to prepare for the bikini division of the IFBB, so I joined the gym and started lifting. With 10 weeks to go before comp, my friend had to withdraw, so I pushed on full steam ahead anyway.

Spoiler alert….I am not one of those miracle stories that won my first comp and took home the gold…I didn’t place top 3 (the rankings they give in the IFBB). I flew back from Perth with a little medallion, some well-deserved treats, and a strong desire to better myself in my next comp. From there, I was hooked. I got a coach, I got a plan and I had a goal, and competed 6 months later in the Northwest Titles with INBA WA (now ICN WA). I did so much better, bringing home a couple of 1st places, and a new goal of wanting to win my Pro Card, which meant I had to win an overall title…not an easy feat.

I trained hard for 3 years, and competed in 5 more competitions…each time, taking on the judge’s feedback and trying to improve my physique. I was addicted to wanting to do better and win that Pro Card. I placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th A LOT….but kept at it.

In May 2019, I competed at the ICN World Cup in Korea, and to my complete and utter shock and joy, won my Sports Model division.

I started training at Life & Soul Port Hedland in July 2018, and was lucky enough to become a Sponsored Athlete in January 2019 – an opportunity that I was very grateful to receive. With their assistance and support, I was proudly able to represent Life & Soul and Port Hedland in the WA State Titles, the Australian Titles and the World Titles, and bring home a stack of medals, a sash, the coveted Pro Card, and a World Title.

Where to next? Only time will tell….