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MOSTMAGAZINEBut for Stephanie, the journey is far from over. With her eyes set on 2025, she has two major goals: qualify for the Masters Olympia and break into the Top 5 in Open shows. Armed with relentless determination, she is training harder than ever to make those ambitions a reality.Beyond the stage, Stephanie is a passionate mentor and coach, empowering women to embrace fitness at any stage of life. Whether she%u2019s in the gym, on stage, or cheering on her boys from the sidelines, her message remains the same%u2014strength is built through perseverance, and the best is always yet to come.Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ATTEND THE NPC MIDWEST SEMINAR IN 2016, AND HOW DID IT CHANGE YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY? A: I had just started lifting again and was coaching cheerleading at the time. One of my co-coaches competed in fitness, and she encouraged me to check it out. As I listened to everyone%u2019s experiences, I found myself drawn in. I joined a group of women fixing their posing, but a coach quickly moved me to figure. By the end of the seminar, I said, %u201cWhere do I sign up?! Q: WITH YOUR CHEERLEADING BACKGROUND, HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO PIVOT FROM FITNESS TO FIGURE COMPETITIONS? A: My knee made that decision for me. I was relearning my tumbling skills, but I quickly realized that my 34-year-old body wasn%u2019t the same as my 20-yearold body. Q: WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMPETING IN YOUR FIRST SHOW IN AUGUST 2016 AND WINNING YOUR CLASS? A: It was nerve-wracking! Thankfully, we chose a smaller show to start with. I remember my lips quivering as I tried to hold my poses, smile, and remember everything my coach had taught me. Hearing my name called last was both shocking and incredible. I don%u2019t think I stopped smiling for hours!%u2022 August 2016: First show, first place in her class.%u2022 October 2016: Secured her first overall win.%u2022 2016%u20132018: Dominated the amateur circuit, clinching six first-place titles.%u2022 2019: Achieved IFBB Pro status at Masters Nationals after just three National-level shows.AS A PRO, STEPHANIE HAS BUILT AN IMPRESSIVE R%u00c9SUM%u00c9:%u2022 2020: 2nd place at the Baltimore Classic Masters Pro.%u2022 2021: Victory at the Masters Night of Champions.%u2022 Six Top 5 placings in Masters competitions.%u2022 Five Top 10 finishes in Open categories60 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 77