A city bodybuilder hopes to inspire other women to work hard for the things they want to achieve as she celebrates winning a gold medal at her first competition.

Laura Watling, who lives on the outskirts of the city centre, has always been interested in fitness and has a dance background. 

She moved into the gym to start weight training in 2013 but during the pandemic became inspired by the world of bodybuilding.

Norwich Evening News: Laura also came second up against a professional at her second competition of the weekend Laura also came second up against a professional at her second competition of the weekend (Image: Laura Watling)

The 34-year-old, who owns a marketing business, said: “I signed up with Ella Crouch early in the pandemic, and moved to my current coach, Vic Mandi, when I fell pregnant with Eloise as Vic has pregnancy and post-partum experience.” 

The extreme sport sees athletes build muscle and lose fat to reveal the muscle that has been built.  

Competitors are judged on how well they fit the criteria relevant to the category they are competing in.  

Norwich Evening News: Laura will be competing again in two weeks Laura will be competing again in two weeks (Image: Laura Watling)

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Laura was competing in a category called Wellness, which is lower-body dominant. 

She said: “I have done this 100 per cent naturally, but it has been hard running my own business as well as having a toddler.  

“It just required planning, prioritisation and a good mindset. I wanted to show my daughter you can do anything you set your mind to.” 

Norwich Evening News: She hopes to inspire her daughter to know she can do anything She hopes to inspire her daughter to know she can do anything (Image: Laura Watling)

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But the sport isn’t just about muscles, Laura also had to perfect a series of mandatory poses.  

And on Saturday she competed in her first competition at NFMUK Women's Masters Shape event in Manchester, where she placed first to win gold.  

She said: “It felt unbelievable, worth all the hard work.” 

Norwich Evening News: She had to learn mandatory poses to compete She had to learn mandatory poses to compete (Image: Laura Watling)

Laura says anyone wanting to compete should invest in a good coach like Vic Mandi as well as a good posing coach like Posed by Honey.  

She will be competing again in two weeks.