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IG: carmelita_sylvia73IG: david_lee_herediaDavidBorn in the heart of West Texas, I%u2019ve always had a deep-seated passion for sports. During my school years, I was active in football, baseball, and had an especially profound love for basketball. Like many in our area, working in the oilfields has been a part of my life, but I%u2019ve always made it a priority to stay active.It wasn%u2019t until 2010 that my fitness journey took a transformative turn. That%u2019s when I met Carmelita Gonzalez, who would become my best friend and a pivotal figure in my life. At the time, Carmelita was already a seasoned NPC competitor, and witnessing her early journey into bodybuilding ignited a spark in me. Her dedication and passion for the sport inspired me to pursue bodybuilding myself.A pivotal moment in her fitness journey came through a serendipitous connection with a long-time client who was a professional bodybuilder. While traveling with her client to various competitions and styling her for shows, Carmelita became inspired to transform her own life.When she asked her client how long it would take to achieve a similar physique, the answer was, %u201c18 months.%u201d This commitment to a structured fitness plan marked the beginning of a life-changing transformation, both physically and mentally.In her early 30s, Carmelita began competing in NPC bikini competitions. Her competitive spirit led her to enter multiple categories over the years until three years ago, when she made the switch to wellness competitions at the age of 47. As she approaches 51 this December, Carmelita%u2019s competitive endeavors have been paused due to an autoimmune disease, but her dedication to fitness and nutrition remains unwavering. She continues to use her knowledge to support her health and inspire others.In addition to her hairstyling career, Carmelita devotes two days a week to assisting cancer and radiation patients manage hair loss during treatments. She offers her expertise and provides emotional support, stressing the importance of nutrition and physical activity to improve both physical and mental well-being.For Carmelita, fitness is not just about aesthetics; it is a vital tool for mental and emotional healing. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of fitness, and she is committed to sharing her knowledge and personal experience to empower others along the way.MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 58 41