Athlete Name: Emma Nelson
Pro Division: Figure
Where did you earn your Pro status?
NFF Dallas Showdown – 2021
Where did you make your Pro debut?
NFF Super Show – Austin, Tx 2021
Tell us a little about yourself….
I am 23 years old and was born and raised in Austin, TX! I am a Software Engineer, dog mom, I love the outdoors and traveling, and I am a figure competitor.
How did you get started with bodybuilding?
Working out and staying healthy has been a big part of my life for the past couple of years. It wasn’t till 2020 that my partner Stephen introduced me to more of a bodybuilding style of working out, which I immediately loved. From there I had been working out, but with no particular end goal. Although previously I had contemplated competing in a bodybuilding show, I didn’t truly start considering it till early 2021. Around April I decided to go for it! After reaching out to Melanie Daly as a coach, I started prep and have continued from there!
Where does your motivation come from?
I am a goal setter, I think my motivation comes from the will and drive I have to reach my goals. For competing, having a goal like stepping on stage in a bodybuilding competition in front of an audience and presenting the best package I can has been a huge recent driving factor in my dedication and determination to do my absolute best and to keep striving to become a better figure competitor.
What are some of your greatest achievements?
As of right now, I feel like some of my greatest achievements are outside the gym more in my work life. I am 23 years old and I am a Software Engineer for Cisco creating Cyber Security Products. I’ve been in the tech industry for around 4 years not and I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am today in my career. I’m excited for the future because I know I can keep striving and improving from here!
What is your current training philosophy?
It’s the work and dedication you put in behind the scene when no one is watching that really counts.
What are 3 tips you would give to someone trying to reach their goal physique?
1) Find yourself a good coach who can guide you through the process (it’s worth it)
2) Don’t lose sight of your end goal and always strive to set new goals for yourself
3) Don’t forget that working out is only half of it, abs are made in the kitchen!
What is your diet like? And does it differ on-season v. off-season?
Being new to the sport and the world of competitive bodybuilding I haven’t had an off-season diet to compare against yet! But I’m sure besides perhaps a macro/calorie increase the foods with remain primarily the same.
When trying to cut down what type of cardio do you do and why?
I enjoy incline walks and I also do the stair stepper (I don’t enjoy stairs as much but they do give you a killer cardio session)!
What is your next goal?
To win a show as a Pro Figure competitor!
What’s your Favorite Quote?
“You are confined only by the walls you build yourself.” – Andrew Murphy
Social Media:
Instagram: @emmanelson_figure
