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Titilola's story

In April 2015 I will be competing in a body building competition. It's funny because my trainer has been trying to get me to try something like this for over two years but I always said no for two reasons; I didn't have the discipline to be on a strict diet for over 3 months and I actually feel physically sick when I think about prancing in a bikini on stage; it's mortifying, embarrassing, and ridiculous; that is my honest opinion,  I love hiding behind a keyboard, I’m a natural introvert who displays extroverts traits only amongst very close friends; me, all greased up, flexing muscles! My God!  But I've agreed to do this because Funmi Akanmu made me! It’s so odd because Funmi is the last person I'd have associated with this sport, with this level of fitness training! Oh yes she runs, but trust me, there is a huge difference between running and weight training, talk less of preparing for a competition. 

Unknown to me, Funmi had gone to watch her friend Leye compete in Miami Pro last November. He did extremely well placing fourth! That’s major! She was telling me excitedly afterwards that aside from the hot men :) she was completely blown away by the women! Women of all ages looking incredibly toned, tight, and glowing with health! She mentioned women in their 50’s and mums who looked completely different from the misconstrued idea of what bodybuilding looks like. And trust me the sport is misunderstood much.  She somehow convinced me to compete! Together! 

To do this I will have to eat well and within a strict plan for 4 months. The look we will deliver is not one most people can sustain for a long period of time. There is a precise science and intelligence to body building which we have to follow.  This is why it is a sport. This is not for toddlers. I have to train 6 days a week, and on two days twice a day. And closer to competition, possibly twice every day”. 

Funmi convinced me this would be fabulous, and as I was weakening she said she really decided to do it when she thought about using this challenge as a fundraising challenge for Path to Possibilities. In that moment I succumbed. When I think about my existence in comparison to others around the world I know I have to give back.  If I could be a blessing through doing this, then it’s worth the pain. 

When Funmi first challenged me to this I kept coming up with random reasons why I shouldn’t do it.  But somehow, in the grip of no confidence, I randomly thought of the Chibok girl's. I thought of the girls stolen from their schools in Nigeria; 219 girls are still missing, not only are they deprived of an education; they are deprived of having control over their own bodies, what they eat, how they move, where they move, what they wear.  In that moment I thought I'm going to do this. Boko Haram translates to ‘ Western Education is forbidden’  Path to Possibilities educates children,  perhaps this is my mini protest - my protest at violence against children seeking a better life. My protest against Boko Haram – I promise you they will hate a western educated woman/female body building, prancing around in bikini’s!  our hashtag is #feministsinbikinis But I ‘swear down’ Funmi has the best hashtags!!.  

Don’t be in any doubt this will be a challenge. From the 3nd of January I have been training.  My diet is very precise; carbohydrate, protein, fats and nutrients.  I have to prepare all meals – 6 meals a day. I can’t eat out. No more Pret!, no alchohol, I sleep, eat and train 9then I go to work and sort the children and husband!!) This journey will be joyous and painful! But as my Path to Possibilities team mate Francesca always says keep your eyes firmly on the Prize! Miamipro2015 – The Feminists are coming!!!

As well as the Chibok girls I will like to remember all the children, boys and girls, all the young people killed in their place of education around the world – These killings by extremist groups is worrying because it is a strategy to keep young minds out of education, to keep people locked in ignorance and poverty, so they don’t have the skills and confidence to challenge or question and progress. 

All the money we raise will be used to educate disadvantaged children in Nigeria – it is the best response to Boko Haram – educate more and more and more and more

Funmi’s Story

In November of last year I went to watch my friend Leye take part in the Miami Pro Natural bodybuilding competition.

Leye had trained for a year prior to the event and I had seen his dedication and comitment throughout the process (he was actually a PT to me some years back, and he's a taskmaster! lol), he definitely is an inspiration. Unknown to me there was a 'women’s category' I had totally not expected this, I watched as women most of them older than me showed off the results of committed discipline, hard work and zeal. These were women who had fulltime jobs, were mothers looking after families and still they had been able to train consistently and maintain a strict and precise diet to achieve such toned, defined and healthy looks. It gave me a whole new perspective of the 'bodybuilding' scene, and as I sat there I thought to myself I wonder if I can do this and also thought 'this is so Titi!, I'm sure she'll like this, I think she should do this!'.

The more I thought about it the more I realised I lacked a discipline and mental strength in sticking to a precise diet, I totally despise the lack of been free to eat whatever I want whenever I want so I never dieted ever!. I always maintained my basic fitness mainly through exercise, running and cardio workouts, I always kept my food and eating habits out of any restriction zone o!!

The more I sat there on the day though and thought about it the more I had a desire to do something that tested my willpower and instilled a discipline in me like never before, for me the training and pain and grind was not the main issue, the issue was in 'my food', no one touches my food habits!!! lol. Then I thought imagine using this to raise money for P2P (I had in recent years aimed to embark on a personal fundraiser yearly), so why not this. Train and prepare for 4-5 months to compete in the Miami Pro body building competition in April 2015. Alas that was the deal breaker for me, the opportunity to raise much needed funds for P2P and in addition push myself to a mental and physical limit I had never done before. I want to make a point to myself that I can be disciplined in all areas of my physical and spiritual self, that I can through that discipline, focus, commitment and strength inspire others and make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged young children through the funds raised. It really was/is going to be MIND OVER MATTER and thankfully I have the very experienced Titilolami taking this ride along with me

So please sponsor us, help us hit our fundraising target as we work tirelessly on hitting our bodybuilding target