It’s show day. Leanna Coletti and other athletes are backstage, waiting for their division and class to be called onto the stage. She’s surrounded by bodies that are tanned and glammed up. She sees copious amounts of plain rice cakes, jam, peanut butter, and salt. They act as a fast-acting carb source to help achieve a full look in the muscles before stepping on stage for judging. Coletti patiently and nervously waits. She reflects on her seven months of preparation for her 30-second moment to convince the judges she deserves to be top three.

Coletti would go on to win first place in True Novice Wellness and third place in Open Class C Wellness. The third-place win secured her a spot in the national show.

Coletti, a second-semester Fitness and Health Promotion student at Humber Polytechnic, is passionate about fitness and health and is transitioning a love of working out into a career. Coletti recently competed in the King Kong Naturals, an annual regional bodybuilding event in the Greater Toronto Area, competing for a spot in a national bodybuilding show. Coletti chose the ‘Wellness’ category as she feels it suits her natural physique. It has a greater emphasis on the leg muscles, with the quads, glutes and hamstrings being the major muscle group being judged. The upper body also requires muscles to complement the athlete's overall look. Judges are evaluating symmetry and development of muscles. No matter which category, the training and diet are equally demanding.

"During the COVID pandemic I gained weight over my personal standard,” shared Coletti. “I didn't like how clothes fit; I lacked confidence and was uncomfortable with my body. To make a change I hired a coach to help me lose weight. I did and I felt great again, yet something was missing. I wanted muscle. I opted for the bodybuilder side of fitness versus powerlifting. I hired a coach to help transform my physique to the standards of the Canadian Physique Alliance. With time and consistency, I saw my hard work come to fruition and that truly jump started a healthy addiction of taking care of myself on a nutritious and fitness level.”

“I spent months pushing myself physically and mentally to build muscle, stay consistent with my routine and eventually live on low calories for show purposes,” she continued.  

Coletti will compete on August 2, 2025, in the Natural Pro Qualifier.

Coletti says bodybuilding prep “taught me grit, discipline, consistency, to never give up and developed an incredible work ethic. I was in the gym, a full-time student, working part-time and managing my household in the process. Bodybuilding preparation taught me to manage time, prioritize tasks, and learn to say no to requests when I needed self-care.”

She’s grateful for Humber’s Fitness and Health Promotion program.  

“Humber's program allows me to stand out with future employers and clients because of the academic standards. The material, facilities, my classmates, everything is great. The courses are diverse with both academic and practical learning. Notably for me anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, group exercise and exercise prescription – these courses helped me understand how to work out more effectively, understand what's happening on a physiological level and how to effectively create a program.”

She continued, “The support from faculty, classmates, and friends has been so positive and genuine. They are happy for me entering this crazy endeavour and winning. As a mature student, taking a risk leaving my job to pursue my passion, Humber and the program have made the transition all worth it. I am very happy I made this change.”

So, what’s next for Coletti?  

“The curriculum is preparing me to achieve various certifications, one specifically is a personal training certificate. I want to help people achieve their fitness goals and gain more experience working with people on a fitness level. It will be a great start in helping to build my business as a trainer and coach. After graduation, I am considering enrolling in a pathway program at Humber, the Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Program. It will complement my business goals."

Find out more by visiting the Fitness and Health Promotion program website.