Bodybuilder dreams come true for Shrewsbury mother Suzanne, 48
She's a Shrewsbury mother of two – but that wasn't going to stop Suzanne Shorrock from fulfilling her dream of being a bodybuilder.
The 48-year-old has juggled school runs with training, and has now managed to win the right to compete professionally.
Suzanne, had just four months to train for the competition, where she came second and won a pro card award.
Owner of the ladies gym, Ladypace, in Copthorne, she competed in the UK Pure Elite Fitness Model Championships in Margate.
"I had no idea how hard it was really going to be", she said.
"I decided I wanted to enter the competition in January, giving me just four months to get in shape."
Already a keen runner, Mrs Shorrock ran the Shrewsbury 10K and half marathon last year and after achieving her best ever times in both, decided it was time for a new challenge.
"I've always kept myself fit and obviously owning the gym was a big help", she added.
"But we usually focus on losing weight and cardio, so this was definitely out of my comfort zone and something I didn't know an awful lot about.
"I had to juggle running the gym and my clients there, putting on the weight and muscle I needed and of course be a mother to my 12 and 17-year-old – it was very difficult at times."
Initially, Mrs Shorrock had to consume 2,500 calories every day, and did so by weighing out her six meals a day to count all calories, protein and carbohydrates.
Training two days on and one day off, which still included cardio and ab sessions on her rest day, her typical meals consisted of black coffee, yoghurt, fruit and almond milk for breakfast, sweet potato, broccoli, avocados and spinach for lunch and fish, rice and green vegetables for dinner.
She also took in a daily protein shake and a snack of porridge with added protein powder.
With support from her family, friends and all the ladies at her gym, she did not have a drop of alcohol or a gram of sugar during her training and admits social events were tricky, being limited to a glass of water.
After coming away with second place, a trophy and a pro card award, she can now compete at a professional level instead of amateur, and that is exactly what she is planning to do.
"I had a couple of days off from training after the competition in April, and then I started again for the World Championships in November.
"Everyone told me once I was on the stage in front of hundreds of people I would want to do it again and I guess they were right.
"I hope I can use this to inspire other women to reach their goals.
"It was the most amazing experience I've ever had."
