“To be invited was an achievement in itself”
Nichola Rouse (centre) with L-R: her best friend Lynette George, her daughter Ebony Fenwick, grandson Louie-Jay, son Bailey Legg, and son Jaiden Fenwick(Image: Nichola Rouse)
A bodybuilder from Grimsby has come second in her category at the British Finals. Nichola Rouse, 47, said the experience was “absolutely amazing” and she is still “on cloud nine”.
She has now qualified for the World Championships. Nichola, who trains under local coach Lewis Widgery who runs Team Ascend Coaching, said: “It is still hard to believe, to be honest.
“I never even expected to go to the British finals, it was nothing I ever anticipated doing. To be invited was an achievement in itself.”
Nichola competed in the over-45s category, known as Masters. There were so many competitors in the age range, the group ended up being split into ‘short’ and ‘tall’, with Nichola, who is 5’2″, competing in ‘short’.
She said it was “really good fun” and all the other competitors were friendly and supportive. They set up a group on Instagram to chat pre-show and are still in touch.
Nichola Rouse with her bodybuilding coach Lewis Widgery(Image: Nichola Rouse)
Nichola said she liked to promote healthier eating and fitness, rather than fad diets. Discussing her journey into bodybuilding, she said: “I’d got myself into a bit of a rut and put on a lot of weight.
“Obviously, with my age and things I really struggle to shift the weight, so I got into fitness. I used to suffer really badly with anxiety and panic attacks, I’ve found as long as I am training it has cleared it and sorted it.
“I don’t have any issues with panic attacks or anxiety any more. My confidence is a lot better. I absolutely love it.”
Nichola thanked her coach, Lewis, for his hard work. She said: “He originally taught me to lift weights about six years ago. He worked at a gym as a personal trainer.
“I did a transformation program with him all those years back, it was 12 weeks. We parted ways when Covid and things happened over the years, and I got back in touch with him last year and said I’d really like to compete.
Nichola Rouse before she began bodybuilding(Image: Nichola Rouse)
“We put a plan together and we’ve been working really hard. Last July, I was just over 11 stone. When I went on stage at the weekend, I was seven stone four.
“It’s been absolutely brilliant. He is a fantastic coach and has worked really hard with me.” Nichola hopes to find some sponsors ahead of the World Championships in Wales.