It had been five years since Chelsea Mooney took the stage for a Figure competition. Instead, she used her break to focus on different areas of her life.

“I had gone back to school and was building a house with my fiancé so I wasn’t able to dedicate the same amount of time toward contest preparations,” said Mooney.

That changed this year however, when she said: “I felt I was finally ready to get back into it.”

Mooney competed at the Natural Vancity Showdown, which is a drug tested event which follows World Anit-Doping Agency (WADA) rules, on October 12.

She competes in a category called Figure, which is a type of bodybuilding, although there is less of a focus on muscle mass in the division.

While there is some muscular size and development required, the emphasis is more on balance and symmetry of all the muscle groups.

The Figure division includes a short routine involving the athletes’ choice of poses that they feel best showcases their physique.

“Afterward, there is a round of compulsory poses called quarter turns,” said Mooney. “All athletes are lined up side-by-side and instructed to perform their quarter turns at the same time.

“This round allows the judges to compare all the athletes in order to decide on the physique that best meets the Figure division criteria.”

Although Mooney is no stranger to the stage, having done several competitions before her five-year break, she said she still has anxious feelings while stepping out.

“I’m usually extremely nervous before going out on stage,” said Mooney. “I don’t enjoy being in front of a group of people, so it is always a challenge for me to be up on stage in front of the crowd.

“However, I do my best to make it appear as though I am comfortable up there because your stage presentation can significantly impact your score.”

Her nerves didn’t affect her at the Vancity Showdown. Mooney won the Figure A Class as well as being named the overall winner.

The Figure division has several different height classes. If an athlete wins their class they perform comparison posing around the other winners of the other classes to determine the overall victor.

“It is hard to describe the feeling of having your name called as the overall winner,” said Mooney. “This was my sixth overall title, but after taking a five-year break from the stage I wasn’t sure whether I would ever experience a title again.

“It is an extremely gratifying feeling to know that all your hard work has paid off. I certainly experience days during which I mentally and physically struggle with preparation, but all the pain and struggle seems worth it for that one moment when your name is called and you are rewarded for your efforts.”

The win was made sweeter by the level of competition at the Vancity Showdown.

“This was the biggest natural show in the country so far this year, and there was a very strong group of athletes,” said Mooney. “Everyone works really hard to get themselves on stage, and the level of competition seems to be increasing all the time.

“This is what pushes me to keep working hard and continually strive to make improvements.”

To remain competitive with such a strong field Mooney followed a strict preparation routine.

“I typically follow a 16-week prep,” said Mooney. “What this entails is a very strict diet, weight training, and cardio regimen. With regards to my diet I have about six or seven meals per day, and all of my food is weighed on a scale. I also perform some sort of weight training and cardio each day, with changes made to the routine every few weeks.

“A significant amount of time each day is dedicated to training and food prep, and sometimes it can feel like another job on top of the full-time job I already have. Although it can be a difficult process, I do enjoy the challenge and it is always satisfying to see the end result.”

The intensity of her regimen ramps up in the week before a show.

“The week leading up to a show is generally referred to as ‘peak week,’” said Mooney. “During this time I follow a process that involves the manipulation of carbohydrates. There are several steps you follow with the intention of helping your physique look its best on the day of the show.”

After a show is finished there is one thing Mooney can’t wait to do.

“Eat!” said Mooney. “After months of depriving myself of all the foods I enjoy, I really look forward to going out for a nice meal after the show … and ice cream. There always has to be ice cream.”

Mooney will have to wait a few more weeks before she can enjoy a nice meal and the coveted ice cream. A few days after the Vancity Showdown she was asked to compete in an international event in Bogota, Colombia.

“I will be carrying on with another four weeks of my contest prep plan,” said Mooney. “This competition will take place in November and will be my last show for this year.”

This will not be Mooney’s first international competition. In 2013, she competed at the IFBB World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

“That was an amazing experience and I look forward to taking part in another international event,” said Mooney.

Although Mooney acknowledged that winning the Vancity Showdown gave her a confidence boost she said she is going into the Colombia competition with zero expectations.

“This is all about the experience for me and I just hope to have some fun with it.”

She says she is going in with zero expectations but in 2013, Mooney told

The Observer, the newspaper in her hometown of Sarnia, On., the same thing and she placed third.