In every venture in life, inspiration is the key to success. No matter who you are or where you come from, if you have inspiration you can do anything. For me, my inspiration came from my physical struggles and as well as many great athletes in this sport.
I grew up in a small West Texas town. Starting at a very early age, I have struggled with sever asthma and allergies. I was sick all the time. My life consisted of frequent hospital visits and doctor’s offices. As I got older my doctor recommended that I get involved in an activity to help me become stronger.
I began to get involved in a variety of sports. From track, gymnastics, cheerleading and soccer, you name it I was in it. However none of these kept my interest for very long. I always seemed to get bored with each one. Flipping trough a magazine one day I came across pictures of Cory Everson and Rachel McLish. I was captivated by their physiques and knew right away that this is what I wanted to do. I began training at 15 and instantly fell in love with it. As I became more involved in the sport I, I came to the decision that I wanted to compete. When I started competing I fell in love with it even more. Bodybuilding strengthened me physically and more importantly as a person. I have met many wonderful people along the way, including Shar Courtney and her mother. From there Fit N Flashy was born.
Today I still have asthma and allergies but they are controlled. I am happier and healthier than I have ever been. I owe my success not only to my family and friends, but to those who have excelled in the sport as well. Bodybuilding was a dream for me, and my inspiration is what made it a reality.
~ Shar Courtney ~
I started getting in shape for competition about six months after my 40th birthday. A few of my friends had decided to compete in figure and I trained with them, but did not do their diet! They shrunk right before my eyes. I then decided to give it a whirl. My first show in figure was the Lonestar, 2005 where I took 5th in the tall class and 4th in the Masters. I competed a few more times in figure, placing from 1st to 4th, always in the top five, but was told over and over I was too big and vascular for figure...in the overall picture! My partner Jody May Saulsbury judged my last figure show and told me to "give it up"! I would never be competitive due to my size, she recommended, again, try bodybuilding. I went ahead and started training for bodybuilding for a few months and competed last summer 2006 in the Heart of Texas. I was very fortunant & placed first in the novice, won the masters and overall. I continued to train and decided to compete in the Arnold Classic amateur, 2007. We were going to debeut Fit N Flashy so why not! Our booth was a huge success at the show and I placed first in the middleweight division. My goal is to continue to compete but my personal goal is to better myself every show! No matter where I place I want to know every time I have made personal improvements. I own, full time, a sign and marketing co. in Weatherford Tx but my passion is the fitness industry. Fit n Flashy will be a specialty fitness store where you can get things that will really make you stand out and shine! My goal for the future is to make a mark in the fitness industry with apparel and accessories and also in the next few years to own my own personal training studio! BORN: July 18, 1964 - Abilene, Tx HEIGHT: 5'9" WEIGHT: Depends on the day!
~ Mary Gene Stephens ~
There are times in your senior years that even grown children can make demands on your life. Following the sudden death of my husband in 2003, my daughter Shar and son Sha came to me and said, "Mo, you will start working out. You are all that we have now and we plan to keep you around a long time." Having never lifted weights or worked with a trainer before, I faced this new challenge with a little excitement and a lot of reservation. After three and 1/2 years, I have lost 50 pouonds, 4 dress sizes and maintain an average body fat of 12%. Not bad for a 67 year old "Grammy" with eight grandchildren! You cannot convice me I won't be riding a skateboard at age 90!
I started getting in shape for competition about six months after my 40th birthday. A few of my friends had decided to compete in figure and I trained with them, but did not do their diet! They shrunk right before my eyes. I then decided to give it a whirl. My first show in figure was the Lonestar, 2005 where I took 5th in the tall class and 4th in the Masters. I competed a few more times in figure, placing from 1st to 4th, always in the top five, but was told over and over I was too big and vascular for figure...in the overall picture! My partner Jody May Saulsbury judged my last figure show and told me to "give it up"! I would never be competitive due to my size, she recommended, again, try bodybuilding. I went ahead and started training for bodybuilding for a few months and competed last summer 2006 in the Heart of Texas. I was very fortunant & placed first in the novice, won the masters and overall. I continued to train and decided to compete in the Arnold Classic amateur, 2007. We were going to debeut Fit N Flashy so why not! Our booth was a huge success at the show and I placed first in the middleweight division. My goal is to continue to compete but my personal goal is to better myself every show! No matter where I place I want to know every time I have made personal improvements. I own, full time, a sign and marketing co. in Weatherford Tx but my passion is the fitness industry. Fit n Flashy will be a specialty fitness store where you can get things that will really make you stand out and shine! My goal for the future is to make a mark in the fitness industry with apparel and accessories and also in the next few years to own my own personal training studio! BORN: July 18, 1964 - Abilene, Tx HEIGHT: 5'9" WEIGHT: Depends on the day! 
There are times in your senior years that even grown children can make demands on your life. Following the sudden death of my husband in 2003, my daughter Shar and son Sha came to me and said, "Mo, you will start working out. You are all that we have now and we plan to keep you around a long time." Having never lifted weights or worked with a trainer before, I faced this new challenge with a little excitement and a lot of reservation. After three and 1/2 years, I have lost 50 pouonds, 4 dress sizes and maintain an average body fat of 12%. Not bad for a 67 year old "Grammy" with eight grandchildren! You cannot convice me I won't be riding a skateboard at age 90!