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MOSTMAGAZINEStephanie KayAt 42, Stephanie Kay is proving that passion, perseverance, and grit know no age limit. A dedicated single mother of two sports-loving boys, she balances life as a parent, professional athlete, and entrepreneur. As the owner of The Corner Gym in Trenton, IL, Stephanie has created a space where strength isn%u2019t just measured in pounds lifted%u2014it%u2019s measured in resilience, discipline, and the ability to inspire others to push beyond their limits.Stephanie%u2019s journey into bodybuilding began in 2016 when she attended an NPC Midwest seminar out of sheer curiosity. With a background in cheerleading, she initially set her sights on competing in Fitness, but a previous ACL injury led her to shift gears and enter the Figure division instead. The transition proved to be the perfect fit. In August 2016, she stepped on stage for her first show%u2014and walked away with a first-place win in her class. Just two months later, she claimed her first overall victory.Between 2016 and 2018, Stephanie dominated the amateur circuit, winning six shows before setting her sights on the national stage. In 2019, after competing in just three national-level competitions, she earned her IFBB Pro Card at Masters Nationals%u2014an achievement that spoke volumes about her dedication and work ethic.Her professional career has been just as impressive. In 2020, she placed 2nd at the Baltimore Classic Masters Pro, and in 2021, she secured a win at the Masters Night of Champions. With six Top 5 finishes in Masters competitions and five Top 10 placings in Open divisions, Stephanie has consistently proven herself against elite-level competition.IFBB Pro Figure Competitor A Journey of Strength and PerseverancePhotographerGeorge Kontaxis@STEPHANIEKAY_IFBBMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 77 59