From Passion to Victory: My Transformative Journey in Bodybuilding
No Nonsense Magazine Volume 26 #2
By: Alexandria Bentham
At a Glance: Alexandria Bentham
Age: 25
Occupation: Bachelor's in Business Administration, currently pursuing my Master’s Degree in Public Administration;
Family: I come from a beautiful, close-knit family with three brothers and two sisters; six of us in total. My parents always went above and beyond to keep us involved in sports, teaching us valuable life lessons like discipline, teamwork, and perseverance through every practice, game, and competition.
Current Residence: Odessa, Florida
Height: 5'5.75"
Weight: Off-Season: 138-145, Contest: 123.6
Favorite Fitness Meal: UMP Cookies & Crème blended with half of a frozen banana, ice, water, and cinnamon powder; it tastes just like a milkshake.
Favorite Supplements: UMP Cookies & Crème (favorite), Lean Out, and Ultra 40 Beef Liver Tabs. I incorporated Beverly supplements daily into both my prep and off-season plans. UMP made it easy to hit my protein goals without unnecessary bloat; Lean Out and the Ultra 40 Beef Liver helped me keep my energy stable, build my muscles, and stay tight.
What would you recommend to someone who has never used Beverly supplements before? Start with UMP and the Super Pak. Beverly truly becomes the foundation of your health. Beverly will support you no matter your starting point, whether you are serious about changing your body or feeling better overall.
Music: “Life Will Be” by Cleo Sol; “That’s Life” by Frank Sinatra; “Not Alone” by Steedi
Most Inspiring Book: Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
Hobby or interests outside bodybuilding: Modeling, Tennis, Fishing, Creating lifestyle content
Words to live by: “What is meant for you will never miss you, even if it takes a little time. You are living the prayers you once whispered.”
Sports and movement were a part of my life from a very young age. Soccer was my first love, but ballet was my very first activity. I grew up in a big family where sports were treated like life lessons, helping to shape who we are as humans. Fitness was always inside me, but it wasn’t until I attended my very first bodybuilding competition that the fire truly lit inside me. That experience shifted something in my heart; I knew it was time to stop putting it off and start giving this journey everything I had. A year ago, I thought I was going to compete, but I just was not ready. It took patience, growth, and faith in the process.
It felt amazing to finish what I started and step on stage despite any setbacks. My heart always knew this was my calling, and no matter how tough prep got, I could not fight what was meant for me.
How I Got Started
I started lifting two years ago; my love for fitness evolved naturally from being active all my life. Once I attended my first bodybuilding competition, I knew deep down I wanted to be on that stage. Meeting my partner, Chet, who is passionate about fitness himself, reignited my love for training and inspired me to embrace my strength and fall in love with my body in a whole new way.
Early Challenges
One of my biggest challenges was rushing through the process. I wanted results according to my timeline. But bodybuilding taught me that it’s not about our timing; it’s about divine timing. True change comes when you trust the work even when you cannot see it yet.
Trying to force a timeline that wasn’t realistic didn’t work. I learned that surrendering to the journey brings real transformation.
What Worked
I fell in love with the daily discipline, the small victories, and simply showing up for myself every single day. Bodybuilding taught me another powerful truth: no one will do the work for you. You have to do it for yourself. You become your own hero through the sacrifices and the moments no one sees.
Nutrition
Meal 1: 2 whole eggs, 3 egg whites, 1 cup potatoes, 2 cups boiled spinach
Meal 2: 1 scoop Beverly International UMP (Graham Cracker or Cookies & Crème), 1 tbsp peanut butter powder, ½ banana, blended with water and ice
Meal 3: 5oz red meat (steak or lean ground beef), 1 cup white rice, sautéed bell peppers and spinach
Meal 4: 4oz chicken or lamb, ½ cup jasmine rice, asparagus or spinach
Meal 5: 4oz red meat (steak or lean ground beef), sautéed peppers and mixed vegetables
Supplements
I used Beverly’s UMP protein, Lean Out, Ultra 40 Beef Liver tablets, Glutamine Select, Creatine Select, and the Super Pak daily. These supported my digestion, recovery, energy, and overall performance throughout prep. Here’s exactly how I used them:
Upon Waking (before cardio or training)
- Lean Out – 2 capsules
- Ultra 40 Beef Liver – 4 tablets
- Creatine Select – 1 scoop in water
- Glutamine Select – 1 scoop in 12 oz of water during fasted cardio
I trained and did cardio fully fasted; no food or protein shakes before. This routine helped me stay tight, lean, and energized while tapping into stored fat.
Meal 1: Super Pak, Lean Out 2 capsules, Ultra 40 Beef Liver 4 tablets
Meal 2: Lean Out 2 capsules, Ultra 40 Beef Liver 4 tablets
Meal 5: Ultra 40 Beef Liver 4 tablets, Glutamine Select – 1 scoop in water for recovery and relaxation
Training
My weight training was structured around progressive overload, focusing on glutes, shoulders, back, arms, and hamstrings.
Training Tips for Longevity & Results
1. Train with Perfect Form:
Every rep should be intentional. Good form prevents injuries and ensures the muscle you’re targeting is actually doing the work.
2. Train for Longevity:
Respect your body. Push hard, but prioritize recovery, joint health, and consistency over ego-lifting. Longevity wins in this sport.
3. Train Your Mind, Too!!!!!
Mental strength is everything. Show up focused, stay locked in, and don’t let doubt talk louder than discipline. Your mindset fuels your performance in the gym and on stage!
Weekly Training Split
Monday – Glutes & Hamstrings
Glute-Ham Raise – 4x12
Leg Press (Wide Stance) – 4x12
Lying Hamstring Curl – 4x10 (or seated, explosive concentric, 3-second squeeze, slow eccentric)
Hip Thrust – 5x10 (last set: 30–45 second hold)
Seated Calf Raises – 4x15
Tuesday – Shoulders & Chest
DB Shoulder Press – 4x12
Side Laterals – 4x12
Cable Front Raise – 4x12
Incline DB Press – 4x12
Machine Rear Delt Fly – 4x15
Wednesday – Back
Lat Pulldown – 4x12
Low Row Machine – 4x12
1-Arm DB Row – 4x12
Hip Thrust – 3x10 (light, no hold)
Thursday – Rest Day
This was my active recovery day. I still did 25 minutes of high-intensity Stairmaster in the morning, but the rest of the day was about restoring my body and mind. Sometimes that meant getting a deep tissue massage, spending time in the sauna, or even just taking a long shower followed by deep breathing exercises. I used this day to check in with myself, reset, and enjoy the process just a little bit more; not because I was stepping away, but because I was preparing to come back stronger.
Friday – Glutes & Quads
Squats – 4x10–12
DB Walking Lunges – 3x20 steps
Leg Press – 4x12
Reverse Hack Squat – 4x10
Glute-Ham Raise – 4x12
Saturday – Arms (Biceps & Triceps)
EZ Bar Curl – 4x12
Hammer Curls – 4x10
Triceps Rope Pushdown – 4x12
Overhead DB Triceps Extension – 4x12
Close-Grip Bench Press – 4x12
Sunday – Shoulders & Calves
Arnold Press – 4x12
DB Lateral Raise – 4x12
Side Laterals – 4x12
Standing Calf Raise – 4x20
Posing and Presentation
Three weeks before my show, I met my posing coach, Tatiana Debique. Before that, I was completely self-coached. Every angle, every transition, every step was perfected under her guidance. My biggest posing tip: practice daily with focus and intention. Posing is its own form of conditioning and demands respect just like training and nutrition.
The Night of My First Show
That night was something I’ll never forget. Stepping off stage, crown in hand, I was flooded with emotion, not just because of the medals or the titles, but because of the overwhelming wave of gratitude that took over me. I remember saying it was never really about winning; that was just the sweet bonus. And I meant that with my whole heart.
This journey has been about honoring the woman I used to be, the one who once doubted herself, and showing her that she was always capable. To stand on that stage at the 2025 GRL PWR Championships and be recognized as the Overall Winner of True Novice, earning first place in Open F, Novice C, and True Novice C, out of a completely stacked lineup, was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I didn’t just compete. I overcame.
I walked into that venue with peace in my heart and a warrior’s mindset. I walked out changed forever. That night reminded me that when you train with purpose, trust the process, and stay rooted in faith, there is no limit to what you can become.
