A Sundre stay-at-home mom is taking on a new journey as a fitness model, with a goal to inspire fellow moms.
Sammy Brasnett is 23 years old, has three children and says going to the gym five times a week allows her to do something for herself.
“I had a baby in April (2013), went to Mexico in November and I just decided that I was done having a mom body,” said Brasnett.
“I wanted to be the mom that people look at and are inspired and think ‘if she can do it with three kids, I can do it'.”
She hired a nutritionist in January and won first place at her first show in May. She won the bikini tall novice category at a Natural Physique & Athletics Association (NPAA) show. After taking first place, she was able to compete at the open class level, where she took fifth place.
She will be competing in another NPAA show in November in the fitness model novice category, as well as the open class bikini tall category.
She also competed in a show put on by the International Drug Free Athletics in Calgary over the weekend.
She works out at the aquaplex five times a week and checks in with her nutritionist on a weekly basis. He tells her exactly what to do at the gym and exactly what to eat.
“I love going to the gym and working out. I don't get lots of time to just be an adult by myself. I spend all my time with my three kids, so when I go to the gym that's my ‘me' time and that's how I like it,” she said.
She hopes to inspire her children to choose a healthy and active way of life, and says they have been more active since she started training.
“For me it's beneficial to be healthier for my kids. That way I can keep up with them. I don't want to be the mom that can't keep up with my kids as they get older. I want to be able to play with them and I want to inspire them to live healthier too,” she said.
Inspiring people is what keeps her going, and she hopes to inspire other moms as well.
“Some moms don't want to get into the gym – they don't know how to get started,” she said. “Motivating other people is pretty much what I am most proud of.”
She moved to Sundre from Pincher Creek three years ago. One of the reasons she got into the fitness industry is because her sister is a bodybuilder.
She also enjoys dirt biking, camping, skiing, travelling and most importantly, spending time with family.
“I'm a huge family person. Family is big for me.”
