Crystal Heck may be a tough fitness competitor, but the recent University of Alberta alumna wasn't afraid to shed a tear when she was announced as the winner at the 2011 Canadian Natural Physique Championships in Quebec.
"When my name was announced, the tears just started flowing. I felt on top of the world," says the recent MSc Speech-Language Pathology graduate from the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. "I had just accomplished in three years what many bodybuilding and fitness athletes may work at for 10 to 15 years and still not achieve. I will remember that day and the way I felt for the rest of my life."
Heck placed first in both the Fitness Short and Overall Fitness categories, and received her fitness Pro Card from the International Federation of Body Building - one of only two fitness Pro Cards handed out each year in Canada.
Heck competed for the first time at the 2008 Northern Alberta Bodybuilding Championships and placed first in her height category. Heck credits the president of the Alberta Bodybuilding Association, David Leung, with inspiring her to commit to the sport. "David told me that I had a lot of potential and that I should stick with it."
Growing up an active child in Edgerton, Alberta, the competitive spirit was ever-present in Heck. That competitive drive is what drew her to fitness competitions as a college student. Throughout her success as an emerging fitness professional, her sights remained set on the speech-language pathology program at the U of A. Heck enrolled and began working on her master's degree in 2009.
The first half of 2011 has been a whirlwind of success for Heck. After getting married in January, the newlywed trained in Mexico during her honeymoon before writing her master's certification exam a mere seven days prior to winning the championship in Laval, Quebec.
Heck enjoys her new status as a professional athlete but her career ambitions remain the same. "I am interested in personal training and I enjoy helping people in my free time, but my true career passion is to work as a speech pathologist."
She is now gearing up for the next phase of her competitive career. "My trainers have convinced me to compete and make my professional debut at the Toronto Pro Super Show in June. It is an amazing opportunity to step onto a Pro Stage and get my name out there."
More information on Crystal's upcoming professional debut competition can be found at www.torontoprosupershow.com.
About the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
As the only free standing faculty of rehabilitation in Canada, the University of Alberta Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine balances its activities among learning, discovery and citizenship (including clinical practice). A research leader in musculoskeletal health, spinal cord injuries and common spinal disorders (back pain), the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in our community. The three departments, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) offer professional entry programs. The Faculty offers thesis-based MSc and PhD programs in Rehabilitation Science, attracting students from a variety of disciplines including OT, PT, SLP, psychology, physical education, medicine and engineering.