Big loser: Draper resident drops pounds, wins competition
For most of her life, she was the shy, slightly overweight girl who struggled to be noticed, to be appreciated and to find her purpose in life.
That all changed when she decided to join a new gym that opened just down the street from her Draper home.
"I didn't really know what I was doing, and I didn't really like it," said Secrist, a 21-year-old accounts-payable clerk. "Then I started working with Dave (Marchant) and he told me about figure competition ... It's been a complete transformation for me — both mentally and physically."
Secrist went from 165 pounds with more than 40 percent body fat to 118 pounds and 10 percent body fat in a little less than a year. More important than losing any amount of weight, she said, is that she's found her passion. Secrist took second place in her division in her first figure competition in March. Her success means she's qualified to compete in the Junior Nationals in Chicago on June 20 and 21.
"To take second in your first show is unheard of," said Marchant, who has trained professional and Olympic athletes in his work as a personal trainer. "She really is the most remarkable athlete I've ever worked with. She's totally dedicated."
"Standing on that stage was kind of like vindication," she said, choking back emotion. "It was for those people who didn't think I could do something like this."
Secrist's workouts may seem daunting to outsiders, but for her, they are salvation.
"I love it," Secrist said. "This is my time. I watch the clock all day. I live for this. This is my release, my happy zone."
She received an unexpected benefit from weight lifting when she and Marchant discovered she had a curvature in her upper spine.
"We just noticed her left side wasn't responding like her right side was," he said.
Marchant said a combination of massage and exercises directed at building up that left side of her back have completely straightened her spine in a matter of months. "Her back is totally symmetrical now."
Secrist said people who haven't seen her recently don't even recognize her now.
"I have to tell them who I am," she said with a smile. Her desire and dedication are quite a change for a woman who didn't participate in organized athletics.
"I never really did anything competitive," Secrist said. "When Dave first mentioned it, I was really reluctant to think I could really do it. I'm still kind of in shock to think that I might actually be good at this."
Recent comments
Rachel you look FAB-U-LOUS!!!!! Keep it up and you'll be #1 in...
WOW!!! | May 9, 2008 at 7:28 a.m.
I am amazed at the transformation Rachel has been able to accomplish...
amazed | May 8, 2008 at 1:55 p.m.
Congratulations on making such a healthy lifestyle choice! It'...
From a fellow personal trainer | May 8, 2008 at 1:05 p.m.
