Fifty-year-old rookie bodybuilder gives age ‘metaphorical thumb in the middle’

As Tammy Zanotti approached her 50th birthday last year, she knew it was time to give building a competitive physique a shot.

The mother-of-two, who lives 400 kilometers north of Perth in Geraldton, had been lifting weights for about five years and was ready to show off her hard-earned muscles. hard on stage.

“I always said I wanted to do this when I was 50,” he said.

After 18 months of intense training, a strict diet and regular meetings with her trainer, Ms. Zanotti entered her first bodybuilding competition, Natural Bodybuilding. Australian WA titles, last month.

She won first prize in the 50+ sports model category and came second in the beginner sports category, where she competed against women half her age.

“How strong is it?” he said.

“I was the only 50-year-old on stage, but, you know, I’m here to represent the older generations.”

Ms. Zanotti has since finished second in the state event, where she was also among the medalists, and is heading to the state titles this week.

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‘Hard work’ pays off

When Ms. Zanotti isn’t practicing “many hours” every day, she works full-time as a business administrator at a local school.

His dedication to bodybuilding sees him wake up at 3.30am to fit everything into his busy schedule.

When he finishes raising the sun, he now trains to adjust to his body.

He said: “It’s hard work; I’ve had highs and lows, there were days when it felt like torture.

Ageism and social stigma

Geraldton trainer Maddison Parsonage says there is a strong bodybuilding scene across the city’s eight gyms.

But he said most women have a tendency to decline after reaching the age of 40.

Having competed with him, he said Ms. Zanotti’s decision to join was commendable.

“This shows that age has nothing to do with it,” Ms Parsonage said.

“We go into a state where our hormones drop, and our muscles start to break down a lot and a lot faster.

“So to be able to maintain that and gain weight, both of them will have equal benefits in terms of maintaining the muscle mass that we have.”

Ms Zanotti credits her success to her coach, Sydney-based Jack Hallows, who has been with her throughout her journey.

“It’s the best feeling as a coach because you see people work for this for years, and to see it come to fruition and to see them get exactly what they hoped to achieve is amazing,” Mr Hallows said.

Age is just a number

Ms. Zanotti has played many sports in the past but has focused her efforts on raising her children.

Now that they are adults, he said he is “selfish” and focused on his dreams.

“I don’t consider myself 50 years old, I think these things keep you young,” he said.

“I love the fact that I’ve just been competing against younger girls on stage and I still look like I’m up there.

Although resistance training – exercise that uses weights or resistance to strengthen muscles – has become more popular, Mr Hallows says it is not uncommon to see a young person lifting weights.

“That’s why I like Tammy’s results so much,” he said.

“All these early ideas that you can only do these things when you’re in your 20s and 30s, because once you hit 30, everything slows down and becomes more painful. more.