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IPL Pro Heather Brice Conquers Fitness…And Ice

In this exclusive interview, we uncover the extraordinary life of Heather Brice—a name synonymous with achievement, resilience, and a unique blend of diverse talents. From conquering the stage earning three Pro Cards In the International Physique League (IPL) to crafting exquisite masterpieces as an esteemed ice sculptor in the scenic landscapes of Alaska, Heather embodies versatility and creativity in its purest form.

     Heather Brice’s journey is a mosaic of triumphs across multiple domains. Her foray into the IPL has been nothing short of stellar, earning her three Pro Cards as a Physique Competitor through sheer dedication and unwavering commitment. However, her narrative extends beyond the world of fitness, branching into the realm of entrepreneurship where she thrives as a key player in the Health and Wellness industry. Amidst these pursuits, Heather’s passion for ice sculpting serves as a testament to her boundless creativity and multifaceted talents. Join us as we explore the inspiring story of Heather Brice and her remarkable journey as an athlete, entrepreneur, and artist, providing a glimpse into the fusion of her passions and the secrets behind her extraordinary success.

SO MUCH OF TRAINING AND RUNNING A BUSINESS IS MENTAL. PHYSIQUE COMPETING PARALLELS THE STRATEGY OF SIMPLICITY, COUPLED WITH HARD WORK.

ATHLETE ENTREPRENEUR: Your journey to the IPL has been remarkable, earning three Pro Cards as a Physique Competitor. Can you share some pivotal moments that contributed to your success in the league?

HEATHER BRICE: It was an intense 6 months from the moment I decided to compete and train with La’net Spence and Teresa Moss for the 2023 IPL Sunshine Classic in October. My journey in Arbonne contributed a lot because we coach and train our own new teammates to be coachable and follow those who have more knowledge and experience. So, I followed that practice by doing what my coaches said. Eating clean during the 6 months was a huge factor. It reduces the inflammation in my body, so I felt better and was able to train harder and consistently.

     A pivotal concept for me which has changed my mental body image was the instruction to smile during our weekly check in photos. I practice affirmations daily, but that simple action was a game changer for my personal body image. So much of training and running a business is mental. Physique competing parallels the strategy of simplicity, coupled with hard work. I followed the macro percentages and workouts given to the best of my ability, despite traveling 7 times in those 6 months. It wasn’t perfection every day and I learned to give myself grace, but also reminded myself that the other gals were probably outworking me. So that was a constant reminder to stay or get back on track. It was amazing to embrace the challenge of training and eating right, pushing through excuses of time zones tiredness and eating out.

AE: Balancing a thriving Health and Wellness business while excelling as a Physique Competitor requires immense dedication. How do you manage to maintain peak physical condition while also overseeing your entrepreneurial pursuits?

I WORK OUT IN THE MORNINGS. APPLYING DISCIPLINE CONSISTENTLY TO MY BUSINESS AND FITNESS PREPARATION ARE A PERFECT PARING.

HB: One of the primary reasons I started in Arbonne despite hesitations and fears of entering a sales based and leadership focused career, (which was something I knew little about) was the allure of time flexibility and the income potential. My main mission has transitioned to that of helping others find healthier habits, time flexibility through the business and our supportive community.

     The beauty of this amazing health and wellness business is that I can work from anywhere and duplicate myself by training and loving on my team. I like to say I work from ‘phone’. I can be launching team members and sharing product workshops from poolside or the gym side room, or even my car.

     Time management is something I really am constantly working to improve, and I find the busier I am the more productive and focused I am. I work out in the mornings. Applying discipline consistently to my business and fitness preparation are a perfect paring.

AE: Beyond your achievements in fitness, you’re renowned as an ice sculptor in the picturesque landscapes of Alaska. How did your passion for ice sculpting emerge, and how does it complement your endeavors in health and wellness?

“Arms around the World” - 3rd place 2022 World Ice Art Championships Single Block Individual Event. Fairbanks, Alaska.
“On Guard” - 2nd Place 2020 World Ice Art Championships Single Block Individual Event. Fairbanks, Alaska.
“On Patrol” - 2nd place 2023 World Ice Art Championships Two Block, Two Person Event. Steve & Heather Brice.

TO STRIVE FOR PERFECTION IN ART WITH ICE SCULPTING AND WORKING TO BUILD MY PHYSIQUE IN THE BEST SHAPE I CAN, ARE AN ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR ME. TO IMPROVE MYSELF, MY SKILLS, AND MY DISCIPLINE. THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH.

HB: I have been an artist since childhood. Music, painting, sculpting. I was also a competitive swimmer from 8-14 years old. I completed my bachelor’s in fine arts in Sculpture and Native Arts. I was introduced to Ice as a medium when a friend recommended it. I connected with another Artist, Steve. During my inaugural experience with ice, he told me that there were worldwide ice competitions. I was intrigued.

     Competing is in my nature. I was fortunate enough to convince him to have me on the team in the largest, most prestigious event, and we won. There are magical moments in the creation of my temporal works in ice. The falling snow, the buzz of tools, the magical woods all around, the complete exhaustion during and after, and the thrill of seeing others enjoy my work. I like the satisfaction of there being a final finishing goal in both physique and sculpting ice.

     Steve is now my Husband of 18 years and we have had the privilege of creating exhibitions and competitions and commissioned projects in many countries, including Brazil, Germany, Austria, Italy and Canada.

     To strive for perfection in art with ice sculpting and working to build my physique in the best shape I can, are an ultimate challenge for me. To improve myself, my skills, and my discipline. There is always room for improvement in both.

AE: Your multifaceted career encompasses both the physical demands of athleticism and the creativity of ice sculpting. How do you navigate the balance between these two worlds, and do they influence each other in any way?

HB: I don’t know if true balance can ever happen. I tend to focus on the next event and lean most of my effort into that. However consistent habits, which I’m constantly working on improving, keep me prepared for all my endeavors. Eating well 80/20 most days for years now and working out 5-6 days a week this last year have me in the best shape of my life. In ice sculpting competition endurance is imperative. The events are timed, and we typically are out in negative temperatures for 12-15 hours a day for 3 to 6 days in a row. This year, I am competing again in a 6-day event. I feel like I’m going in physically more prepared for the event than ever, but the art and sculpting skill is much more mental.

     I haven’t had a lot of ice time this year since my focus is building and supporting my Arbonne team, as I’ll be able to do this well past what my physical abilities will allow. I’ll be devoting a couple hours a week this month collecting reference photos to carve by, and making a mental plan for execution, leading to the World Ice Art Championships in February. I’ve sculpted many figures and lots of human anatomy and my own body is my closest and most convenient model. Studying anatomy as much as I have has paired nicely with building my physique. I’m constantly looking at form, which hones and imprints so that sculpting those forms three dimensionally will come easier.

AE: As an entrepreneur in the health and wellness industry, what inspired you to venture into this field, and how have you integrated your experience as a Physique Competitor into your business strategies?

COMPETING HAS GIVEN ME CONFIDENCE TO REACH OUT TO OTHER ATHLETES AND SHARE THE GIFT OF THIS BUSINESS. SHOWING OTHERS THAT YOU CAN START ANYWHERE AND BECOME WHAT YOU WANT WITH PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

HB: I was fascinated with Bodybuilding since Highschool when I stopped swimming. However, the discipline with food and nutrition knowledge was virtually non-existent in my life prior to 2015. I loved beer and wine, and it wasn’t uncommon for me to go through an entire bag of red vines prior to my first experience with Arbonne’s 30-day healthy living Challenge.

     After coaching over a hundred people through the program, and having consistent weight management, I wanted a new challenge. I began to have confidence that I could have that discipline to cut for the stage. Watching my business partner, La’net compete and train inspired me to work out more, along with wanting to really represent myself as a picture of health and wellness to brand myself in Arbonne. I joined Team Coast to Coast and the IPL and I found the community to be supportive and incredible, much like Arbonne’s. Competing has given me confidence to reach out to other athletes and share the gift of this business. Showing others that you can start anywhere and become what you want with progress over perfection is important to me.

AE: Your proficiency in ice sculpting stands as a unique aspect of your career. How do you find inspiration in this art form, and how does it contribute to your overall creative expression? How do you maintain a sense of balance and prioritize the demands of excelling in physique competition, managing a successful business, and practicing ice sculpting?

2016 - “Edmund” from Narnia. My favorite face I've carved to date. North Pole Christmas In Ice. Nailed the hair texture. I was really happy with that and will demonstrate in future training videos. Featuring the Brice tool I used. Ice is a difficult medium to photograph. Night time photos allow for better surface images than day time because of the transparency of ice.
Peacock was titled “True Colors”. A statement on being true to others and to yourself. This was a 2-man competition that Steve and I did together. 1 single block 8'x 5'x 3'. 3rd place 2017 World Ice Art Championships.
My Husband Steve, 21-time World Champ. He's amazing and is always pushing me to better myself. This shows some of our individual and combined medals from ice sculpting events through our 25 years carving together. And some of the sculpting bits he's invented and sells.
Brice Ice Sculpting burrs. Steve makes the burr shapes specific for sculpting and ensures them to be stable and non-vibrating, so that they are easier on the artists’ arms and/or necks. Competitions are so strenuous and for such an extended period of operating time that he strives for creating tools that don't cause damage to extremities through vibration. Taking care of our bodies through proper technique is imperative in fitness and sculpting. The teeth are applied by a company we partner with.

I HAVE TO GIVE MYSELF GRACE IN ATTEMPTING TO BALANCE ALL MY ENDEAVORS, AND I HAVE TO REMAIN FLEXIBLE BECAUSE LIFE THROWS CURVEBALLS, AND FAMILY TIME IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

HB: I love the temporal aspect of Ice. It is much more in the making than the end result. Although we make sure to capture wonderful photos and I love sharing my work with others and touching them. I draw inspiration for my ice sculptures from movies, childhoods books, and experiences. I love finding visual puns to make people think about what they are experiencing or reflect on childhood memories. I am inspired by other top sculptors in the field, and pushing myself to someday create the perfect sculpture is always a goal. I’m not sure that is attainable and, as I said earlier, there is always room for improvement.

     Ice is a magical medium. There is energy in ice like no other form of art and I am blessed with the creativity, talent and best tools in the world. My husband has invented over 400 tools that are used in ice and wood sculpting around the world. So I also make time for marketing and shipping for his business as well. I have to give myself grace in attempting to balance all my endeavors, and I have to remain flexible because life throws curveballs, and family time is important to me. I find balance in my morning routine. Getting up earlier helps fit in all my ‘Want Tos’, workouts, meditation, reading, prayer, so that the rest of my day can be focused on work and family.

AE: Your journey is undoubtedly diverse and inspiring. What advice would you offer to aspiring athletes and entrepreneurs looking to excel in multiple domains, drawing from your own experiences and challenges?

HB: Read self-help books, like The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod and The 5 Second Rule, by Mel Robbins. Focus on developing consistent habits, even if it’s 5 minutes a day. I haven’t mastered time management yet. It’s been an evolution for me. However, we all have the same 24 hours each day. Finding a way to make what is a priority to you fit into that schedule is possible when you want something bad enough. I set timers to help keep me on track and devote time to what is a priority for each particular season in my life.

   Along with honing leadership skills (through reading and application, and lots of mistakes), I’ve learned to embrace the journey and the challenge of becoming the best version of myself and being ok (most days) with where I am in the moment. Knowing that having our bodies at peak competing condition is also temporary. Realizing this has also given me a better body image. We are in such a comparative society. It was reassuring to me to know that stage bodies are not a long-term norm.

AE: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals in your competitive athletic career, health and wellness business, and ice sculpting endeavors?

MY INTENTION IS, AS A TEAM, TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND CONTINUE TO TRAVEL AND EXPAND MY TEAM WORLDWIDE.

HB: I’d love to inspire more people to compete in the IPL, or at least lead them to start working out and eating healthier so that their bodies are healthier. We have no idea what we are capable of with the right support systems and consistent habits. Being relatively new to the sport my goals are to earn Pro titles. We will see what comes next. This competitive athletic career has also drawn attention to my commitment to health and wellness as a whole. And through social media I have started to engage others and draw them to their own journeys. I start them with our nutrition programs. So, fitness and my health and wellness business have tied nicely together.

     I am going to the top in Arbonne, and I want to join forces with others, who have a passion for making a difference in people’s lives. My intention is, as a team, to have a positive impact with thousands of people, to continue to travel and expand my team Worldwide.

     Ice Sculpting started as a passion, became a job, and now with financial flexibility, it’s become a passion again. I plan on continuing to travel and sculpt with my Husband as opportunities continue to crop up. Whether it is competing, instructing, or exhibitions. The beauty is that I can do all my passions… fitness, Arbonne and Ice sculpting simultaneously, as I’m always focused on eating healthy, moving my body, and meeting new people wherever we are. AE

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