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Q: You%u2019ve been an athlete for as long as you can remember. How did growing up in a small town in Vermont shape your passion for sports and fitness?A. My parents should get most of the credit because they were both athletes, and that really shaped me into an athlete from a young age. Living in a small town gave me the opportunity to excel in team sports, and that%u2019s where I found myself thriving. As I grew up with the work ethic of an athlete, my passion for fitness continued to grow as I was introduced to the gym and the weight room. My interest only grew, leading me to study nutrition and become a personal trainer.Q: You%u2019ve played a wide variety of sports, including tackle football! What drew you to bodybuilding, and how did it become your primary focus?A. I was actually initially drawn to bodybuilding as a way to get into fitness modeling a few years after I started lifting weights. I didn%u2019t even intend to compete as early as I did until a local guy at my gym did a bodybuilding show, and I went to watch. It totally got my attention. Ten weeks later, I stepped on stage in my first competition, took first place in my class, and I was hooked. From that point forward, my goal was to build muscle, learn everything I could about the figure division, and work towards turning pro one day.Q: Competing for 13 years before earning your pro card takes incredible perseverance. What kept you motivated throughout the journey?A. It%u2019s all about mindset. I had a lot of ups and downs throughout the 13 years leading up to my pro card win. I struggled with body image and finding a balance with food on and off-season in my earlier years, and I started competing for the wrong reasons. After taking a few years off from the stage, I knew I wasn%u2019t finished in the sport and hadn%u2019t yet reached my full potential. I came back with a good coach, a renewed mindset, a rested body, and remembered why I was competing. True motivation comes from within, and I was doing it for myselfwww.innerglownutrition.comBut Lia%u2019s story doesn%u2019t end with her victory on the bodybuilding stage. Ever the adventurer, she is now embarking on an exciting new chapter: converting a bus into an RV. Her goal? To travel the country and explore the breathtaking landscapes and hidden wonders that the United States has to offer. This ambitious project reflects her belief that life is about embracing change, discovering new horizons, and living fully in every moment.Lia Taylor%u2019s journey is one of tenacity, resilience, and an unshakable commitment to following her dreams%u2014whether in the gym or on the open road. As she gears up for her cross-country adventure, we at MOST can%u2019t wait to see where her boundless spirit takes her next.MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 63 67