Another First Time Competitor: Shelley Cook

This is Shelley when she started with me:

This is Shelley At her show- Sandra Wickam Classic

I signed up with Noel Clark after making the oddest decision of my life. At 36 years old, two kids, husband, dog, new home, and a very busy company in tow, I decided that I wanted to compete in a figure competition. Why, I still don’t know exactly, just that I wanted to do something big and challenging at this exact moment in my life and this seemed to fit the bill.

After years of fitting in training and sports here and there but without huge commitment, I was in good shape but my figure looked a lot most Mom’s do… a lot more down there than up here and I knew that even with a decent background in weight training and knowledge of sports and nutrition I needed help. A good friend of mine suggested Noel as an on-line trainer for me because of my remote location. At first I really doubted how it could work, a faceless person over email did not sound like it had a lot of potential to me but I looked her up anyways.

To say the least, the woman is stunning! The power, strength, and confidence that she projected in her photos alone were enough to encourage me to reach out. I had honestly never seen a woman that looked like this before in my life, so much muscle, so fit and lean but still so feminine and beautiful. I was mesmerized and wanted a little bit of that for myself.

So after a few introductory emails that explained she was starting her own business I signed on as one of her new clients. Within days Noel’s website was up and running and on it were my new workout and nutrition plans. I was in love with the new workouts immediately, so different, so much easier than what I was doing before and still much more effective. The nutrition plan, well I’ll be honest here was a huge shock. I was very defensive and rebellious in the beginning because I really thought I knew a lot about nutrition and that I was eating just fine. Over time and begrudgingly sticking to the plan I realized that I was wrong. Noel has the winning formula. Yes it takes time effort and adjustment to change your long set habits but it IS SO worth it.

The changes in my body started immediately and kept me going because the rewards were so evident. My weight didn’t fluctuate much at all but I gained plenty of muscle and lost all of my fat while eating 5 times a day. I felt better than I ever have in life and after 6 months of doing exactly what Noel told me to do I had my reward. I was ready for competition. Really ready!

The tools that really counted were all there for me, the support I received from Noel’s forums was incredible, I journaled every day and was always greeted with positive responses, suggestions and support from people all trying to make the same good choices and live a healthy lifestyle. The meal tracking system that Noel uses helped keep me on track because I knew I had to account for every single meal and if I felt like cheating or eating off plan I knew I had to report that and didn’t want to. (still did, of course, many times…. no one’s perfect LOL).

What really cinched the whole thing is that Noel believed in me, right from the start. Even when I questioned her, rebelled against her, cried, complained and tried to quit she would be there for me. She changed my plans when they needed to be changed, she held my hand when it needed holding, kicked my butt when it needed kicking and from the first day that I set my goal, quitting never became an option. I feel like Noel has a pretty amazing gift, she understood me and everything I went through, justified or not, and never made me feel bad or weak for struggling or breaking down. She always told me I am stronger than I think I am. She was right.

My goal had been to get to the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic and feel like I belonged on that stage. What I ended up going home with was so much more valuable than that, the sense of accomplishment I felt for finishing, the sense of pride in my husband and children watching me make it and the fact that I didn’t quit even when I really wanted to are the most amazing feelings I’ve ever experienced. Add that to a 2^nd place trophy in Figure Short and a 1^st place trophy for Master A figure in my very first competition and you have an experience that cannot be beat.

Will I compete again… probably not but my life, and my family’s lives are forever changed thanks to Noel Clark and I wonder if I will ever be able to give her up. I'm already looking forward to opening my next set of plans.

Sincerely,

Shelley Cook

You can see more photos of the competition on my blog

First time NPC Competitor Brandy Hanson

Brandy's Befores above

Here are Brandy's photos of her at the Las Vegas Classic



I decide I wanted to compete in January of 2009. I did my homework and talked to as many figure girls and try to do things on my own. Being a certified personal training I understood the basic foundation of weight loss and training, but training and dieting for a figure show is just not the same. I tried to do things on my own, but just wasn’t getting anywhere. After my injury, my weight was up to 126 the most I have weighted in a long time. I had been doing long cardio sessions and low calorie diet to drop my weight but no change. I had worked with other online figure trainers and it just didn’t work for me. Then I ran across Noel’s youtube videos and contacted her. They were amazing. She showed me how to eat and train the right way for figure.

All I had to do was exactly what she had written out for me and within the first few weeks I could see the change in my body. I became more define and dropped body fat fast. The best part was I wasn’t doing hours of cardio. The meal plans were very easy to follow and she communicated with me on a regular basis. It was the best I have every looked in my life.

Thanks to Noel’s training and diet program I made the top 5 in my first NPC figure show at the Las Vegas Classic. I plan to keep training with Noel for my next NPC show on March 20th 2010. She showed me the right way to train and diet and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone who is looking to compete in figure or fitness.

Client Testimonial

Thank you Stacy for one of the most moving emails I have ever received!

At nearly 47 years old, my clock is ticking faster then ever and I can’t afford to waste any more time. My goal (and it truly is of absolute importance to me…) is to participate in one of next years figure competition. It’s always been a dream of mine but through you…and because of you…it has become a reality that “EVEN I” can do it. You may have once told me you are not our cheer leader but rather our trainer but you lady have always, ALWAYS been my biggest and most loyal fan…you made me feel like I could do ANYTHING!! There were definitely times during this “life changing” experience when I got deeply discouraged, but one little pep talk from you and I was on fire again, knowing full well I too, could be on that stage giving it my all. AND…because of you, last week was a week that I’ll never soon forget…I was on the top of world!! I finally broke down and went shopping!! I was finally tired of what all my dress pants looked like as they gathered around my waist from the belts I suddenly found I needed to wear…tired of holding my jeans up when running across a parking lot for fear they’d fall down if I didn’t…tired of people saying I’ve gotten too skinny but only because they couldn’t see the new and improved “toned” me underneath my now baggy clothes…tired of not looking professional or successful enough to buy new clothes…tired of not finding anything in my closet anymore that would flatter my figure but instead make me feel sloppy and unattractive…and the list goes on… So…I broke free the checkbook locks and went shopping. Kevin and I had a wedding to go to and I, for the first time, was going to meet a long time friend of Kevin’s. Not only did I want to knock Kevin’s socks off but I wanted his friend to think Kevin had done ok. With new clothes that would take me through a week of changes and something special for the wedding, this is what I received…the day after my shopping spree I came to work and the first thing I heard was…”WOW! Yummy!” From someone else…”Dang, don’t you look hot!” From another…”How do I get in touch with this trainer of yours?” And my dearest friend…”OH MY GOSH!! I had no clue Stacy!! You’ve had it all covered up with baggy worn out clothes!! Yesterday you just looked skinny…today I want to look like you! Will you help me??” And then the wedding…Kevin about fell to his knees and said I had never in 4 1/2 years looked so great! You should have seen him Noel…never has he looked more proud or have I ever felt more loved standing at his side! With his arm constantly around me, introducing me to everyone he knew, I don’t think I ever once looked at him when he wasn’t smiling. And his friend…yeah…that too was cool…he said to Kevin, “Now I know why you never introduced her to me before…you thought I’d try and steal her away. Nice job man! Far cry from what you came from!!” I think he was talking about Kevin’s ex-wife, who I’ve always thought was pretty. Anyway…All I guess I’m trying to say is thank you Noel…thank you for everything! I will be asking for your help again and when I do, I hope you’ll take me back with open arms and help me make the rest of my dream come true.

You may have “secretly” been my cheerleader, but you’ve also always been my inspiration, my hope, my idol and an absolute unbelievable, dynamite, incredible, fantastic kick ass trainer that not only do I respect and trust completely but a trainer that I’d refer hands down to anyone!! Needless to say…I need you Noel and NEVER in my wildest dreams would I seek anyone else to replace you.

Multiple Sclerosis and Staying Healthy

Sometimes life reaches out and gives you a swift kick. I have had MS for 25 years and actually have done very well. By well, I mean I'm still walking and many of us have lost that ability. Don't get me wrong, I've lost the ability to do many of the things I enjoy like water skiing, snow skiing, racquetball, aerobics or just running in the backyard with my grandchildren or puppies. My balance is very unstable and sometimes I look like I'm drunk when I walk. I was always bumping into things, even falling down, talk about embarrassing. For years I had trouble sleeping because my legs hurt so badly. But Lord, I AM so very grateful for what I DO have.

Two years ago I had an event in my life that I was sure would totally crush me. I just didn't know how I was going to keep going. I let myself go. I wasn't eating or exercising right and I felt terrible emotionally and physically. I needed to do something. I told Noel I needed her help. And boy, did she help me! She said I wasn't eating enough (how could that be?) and all the wrong things plus exercising too much and incorrectly. Now all of you would laugh at what I call working out. It's not close to what the rest of the world does for exercising but I had my weights, treadmill and stationary bike.

Immediately after I started eating and exercising correctly, I started sleeping (joy!) and felt 100% better. I had more than enough to eat and Noel put foods into my diet that I liked.

She took my limited ability to do things, added a ball and bands to the rest of my equipment and I had my own gym. I look forward to her workouts for me because I can accomplish the workout she prescribes. I can't tell you the difference the program has made in my life. I'm stronger, don't fatigue as easily but the best thing is that my balance is so much better. I can even do squats now without holding on to something. I lost 10.5 inches and 15 lbs which was too much weight loss so Noel gave me all day cheats on Saturday - the best day of the week!- and I gained three lbs - perfect for me.

So Noel is my diet coach for life. By that I mean she will continue to prescribe how I eat, exercise and live healthily. Thank you Noel! I love you. Oh, by the way, Noel is my daughter.

Client Testimonial

Here is a testimonial from a client I have been working with for a while. She has completely transformed her body. Moira has dropped almost 10 inches on her waist and about 8 inches around her hips with a total loss of over 40 inches!!









I've been working with Noel for about a year now. Prior to hiring her, I was at the gym every day, worked hard, did my cardio, weight trained and ate really well- BUT my body never changed. No matter what I did, day in and day out, I looked the same. I trained myself and planned my own nutrition. And to the best of my knowledge I was doing everything right. I made the best food choices as possible and trained the way I knew how.
I felt like I had just reached the end of the road, that I had used up all the tools I had to reach my goals had been unsuccessful. I was extremely frustrated and unhappy with myself. I came to realize that- clearly I was not a fitness or nutrition professional. The moment I realized this was the exact moment that I decided to hire Noel. I had exhausted my own workout and nutrition knowledge. So it just made simple sense to get help from someone who is accredited and far greater educated then myself in this field.

So, why Noel? Noel came highly recommended to me by a friend. There really is no greater vote of confidence then when one friend recommends you (Noel) to another, particularly when there is such physical and emotional success at stake. After working with her for a year now, I would absolutely not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. You can expect a relationship similar to that of a coach and athlete. She maintains a perfect balance of compassion, structure and discipline. My diets have always been catered and tweaked to my preferences, and workouts have been adapted to my needs. The communication is efficient, clear and prompt- I am never without an answer for long!

After losing over 30lbs and countless inches under her guidance, I can honestly say that hiring Noel has been the best fitness decision I have ever made. And all I had to do- was follow exactly what she told me to do!

Maximum Fitness Consulting is now LIVE

I am very excited to announce that my new website has now gone LIVE.
Come check out all the new options that I have. One of the most inovative new services I have is the MAX CHOICE NUTRITION Option..HERE

Client testimonial

I started working with Noel Clark about a year ago. At the time, I was 32, overweight and sick of feeling like garbage. I reached a point where I knew I was ready to change but not quite sure what I needed to do and what my goals were, beyond just "getting healthier."
I contacted Noel and sent her my weight and measurements. I hated doing that part of it but knew she needed to know my starting point if she were going to be able to help me. Just taking those measurements was an eye-opening experience. Noel assured me that what she saw in pictures wasn't nearly as hopeless as I felt.
At 5'2" and 135 pounds, my body didn't have potential in my eyes. After all, I have short, stumpy legs, big hips and no abs. I never in a million years could imagine what was underneath all the extra fluff caused by a few years of falling off the diet wagon.
At first, I started having Noel only doing my diet based around my own workouts. The weight started coming off, and I started to gain definition, most noticeably in my shoulders and abs. I was beyond thrilled and felt better than I had in a long time, both about myself and physically.
After about 4 months of doing my own workouts, I asked Noel to plan both my meals and workouts. From the beginning, she was great about communicating with me on a weekly basis. She checked in on me to make sure I was liking the diet and workouts. She even commiserated with me when I whined about how hard the workouts were. Even though Noel and I are hundreds of miles apart, I never felt all alone. She motivated me and gave me a sense of accountability, as I realized that I wanted to work harder for her than I did for myself.
From May 2008 to November 2008, I lost a total of 21 pounds and 23.25 inches overall. My beginning weight was 121 pounds, and I stopped dieting at a little more than 100 pounds.
Reaching my dieting and fitness goals has made me consider competing in a figure competition, and Noel continues to plan my meals and workouts for me as part of working toward that goal. She's unbelievably generous with her time and expertise.
I think no matter what your fitness goals, Noel can help you achieve them. I trust Noel wholeheartedly and know that she always has my best interest and health in mind. She really has given a lot of herself to help me over the last year, and I find myself wanting to work harder for her as a result.
I can't say enough positive things about her as a person and trainer. I don't think you'll find any better!

C.R. - Florida