Andy resident to compete in SNBF event

Published 12:01 am Thursday, June 5, 2014

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Stephanie Pettie (right) competes in her first SNBF event in Atlanta in April. | Courtesy photo

Two years ago and shortly after giving birth to her son, Camdyn, Stephanie Pettie wanted to get back in shape.

The Andalusia resident took that goal and cranked it up a notch as she will be competing in the 2014 Supernatural Bodybuilding and Fitness Alabama Pro-Am Event on Saturday night at the Martha and Solon Dixon Center for the Performing Arts at LBWCC.

“In the beginning, I exercised simply to lose weight and get ‘back in shape,’” Pettie said. “There were a few people in the gym that competed often, and I decided at that point to set my goal a little higher.

“Two years later, I graced the stage,” she said.

The SNBF is a Christian-based, 100 percent drug free organization that teaches and mentors individuals and businesses on the importance of living drug free.

Saturday’s pro-am event will feature men and women competing in the amateur and pro class levels. The amateur classes include novice/open/masters male and female bodybuilding; novice/open/masters figure; novice and open bikini; and male physique. The pro classes include figure, bikini, women’s and men’s bodybuilding, master’s men bodybuilding and male physique.

Pettie said getting ready for an event like this takes a lot of hard work.

“Preparing for a fitness competition is comprised of a combination of strict and precise nutrition, weight lifting multiple days a week, cardio conditioning and practicing poses required by the competitors federation,” she wrote in an email. “It is merely a test of dedication, determination and the ultimate goal to step on stage.”

Pettie said she competed in her first event in Atlanta in April, where she placed third in the novice figure category and fifth in the novice open.

When asked what her goal is going into this week’s event, Pettie said it’s to help encourage others about the benefits of getting in shape.

“My ultimate goal going into this competition is to inspire someone else to increase their overall health through fitness, and ultimately extend the longevity of their life,” she said.

While most people have passions in their lives, Pettie’s is “physical fitness.”

“After working in healthcare for four years, I have witnessed how unhealthy habits take a toll on the human body,” she said. “Weight lifting not only increases my overall health, but is also a great stress reliever.”

Her next show she is planning on competing in is in November in Atlanta.

Prejudging will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday with ticket prices set at $20. The finals are at 6 p.m. and tickets cost $30-$35.

Pettie is married to Jarrod, and both have a 2-year-old son, Camdyn.