Woman bodybuilder breaks the mould at Mr Chandigarh

Despite a plethora of male bodybuilders during the Mr Chandigarh competition at GGDSD College, Amritsar’s 32-year-old Rabecca emerged as the unlikely “showstopper” – as much for being the sole woman at the event as for her journey to carve out a niche for herself in a masculine discipline.

A former staff nurse (Operation Theatre technician), Rabecca had no plans to switch careers till the time she became a mother of two.

“There were no plans to become a bodybuilder. I started going to the gym just to keep myself fit. Though I don’t want to discuss my personal life, there were some complications after I gave birth to my second child,” said Rabecca, who now works as a trainer at two different fitness centres.

“Gradually, I started working on my physique and came across my coaches Prabhjot and Sahil. There was a time when I was nowhere among the Indian contestants, but I continued representing Punjab and won some events too,” she added. Rabecca won events at Gurugram and Karnataka, before finally dedicating herself fully to bodybuilding. “My life is full of twists and turns, but my family supports me unconditionally,” said Rabecca.

The 32-year-old, who grinds at the gym for hours was quick to note the importance of diet and a strict routine, saying, “It plays an important role. I do follow a strict routine—mostly revolving around my passion for fitness and managing daily chores.”

While she condemned the use of steroids, Rabecca maintained that the use of corticosteroids was very much a part of the bodybuilding sphere.

“The use of steroids leads to serious side effects later in life. However, given the high level of competition and challenges, bodybuilders sometime use steroids in a limited manner,” she further explained.

Rabecca also credits the Indian Body Builders Federation (IBBF) for encouraging female bodybuilders across the nation. “I believe that every person should join a gym or indulge in some kind of physical fitness. I am thankful to the IBBF for giving me a platform to showcase my talent at the age of 32,” she signed off.