REGISTER FOR A SHOW

"It’s more than a title. It’s proof that setbacks don’t define you, perseverance does."

Bre Wilson

BACK SURGERY

COULDN’T BREAK HER…

NOW SHE’S AN IPL PRO

PHOTOS BY BEN YOSEF

Bre Wilson’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From surviving a cervical spine injury caused by domestic violence to overcoming a surgeon’s prognosis that she would “never lift again,” Bre has turned adversity into fuel. With grit, resilience, and an unshakable belief in herself, she has risen from life’s deepest challenges to achieve one of the sport’s most prestigious milestones: earning her IPL Pro Card. In this candid conversation with INSPIRE Magazine, Bre shares how perseverance has shaped her path, what drives her today, and the powerful message she carries for anyone facing their own “you’ll never” moment.

"...I suffered a cervical spine injury from a domestic violence incident that became a life-changing turning point."

INSPIRE Magazine: Bre, welcome to INSPIRE Magazine and congratulations on everything you’ve achieved! After everything you’ve been through, what does becoming an IPL Pro mean to you on a personal level?
Bre Wilson: Thank you so much! Becoming an IPL Pro is deeply personal because it symbolizes resilience, faith, and discipline after everything I’ve overcome. It’s more than a title. It’s proof that setbacks don’t define you, perseverance does. This milestone shows that with consistency and belief in yourself, you can rise stronger than ever.
INSPIRE: Your journey began with a major setback in 2001 when you suffered a cervical spine injury. How did that moment change the course of your life?
Bre: In 2001, I suffered a cervical spine injury from a domestic violence incident that became a life-changing turning point. What felt like my lowest moment gave me the strength to walk away from an abusive marriage. When the doctor told me the injury was permanent and urged me to leave, I realized I had two choices: remain stagnant or rise. I chose to rise, and that decision not only changed the course of my life but also ignited a passion to inspire other women to discover their strength, even in the face of adversity.

"That mindset is what pushed me to fight back and come back stronger than ever."

INSPIRE: Fast-forward to 2015—after your three-level disc fusion surgery, your surgeon told you, “You’ll never lift again.” Can you take us back to how you processed those words?
Bre: Hearing “you’ll never lift again” felt like my world stopped. I had come so far—I’d remarried, had another child—so in that moment it felt like my past was still controlling me, even years later. But instead of accepting defeat, I chose to write a different story. I turned those words into fuel, a challenge to rise above every limitation placed on me. That mindset is what pushed me to fight back and come back stronger than ever.
INSPIRE: Instead of accepting that prognosis, you started your fight back. What did those early months of recovery and training look like for you?
Bre: Those early months were slow and humbling. I wasn’t cleared at six weeks as I’d hoped because one disc hadn’t fused, so I had to wear a bone growth stimulator, go through physical therapy, and was only allowed to walk for 12 weeks. Once cleared, I started with machines at the gym, resistance bands, and light dumbbells under 10 pounds, gradually rebuilding my strength. It took about nine months of steady progress before I was back to more intense training.

"It’s about adapting instead of quitting, and that’s what allows me to keep training at a competitive level."

INSPIRE Magazine: Living with a spinal fusion brings unique challenges. How do you manage your condition while still training at a level required for competition?
Bre: I’ve lived with this condition for over 24 years and with the fusion for more than a decade, so listening to my body is key whether I’m in prep or not. I start prep earlier so I can gradually build frequency and intensity over time. On tough weeks with neck pain, I may scale back to focus on lower body instead of pushing through upper body. I also rely on recovery—sports massages, muscle relaxers during flare-ups, ice, heat, topical creams, and natural supplements like glucosamine, collagen, and MSM. It’s about adapting instead of quitting, and that’s what allows me to keep training at a competitive level.
INSPIRE Magazine: During your prep for the Virginia show, the pain returned and you were back in therapy and getting injections. What pushed you to keep going rather than step away?
Bre: My purpose pushed me forward. I knew I had already overcome so much, and I wasn’t willing to let this setback stop me. Instead of stepping away, I reminded myself why I started—to prove that perseverance beats limitations. That mindset kept me pressing through to the stage.

"It was overwhelming, honestly. Every tear, every setback, every painful step of the journey was in that moment with me."

INSPIRE Magazine: When you earned your Pro Card in Virginia, how did it compare to all the battles you’d already won offstage?
Bre: It was overwhelming, honestly. Every tear, every setback, every painful step of the journey was in that moment with me. Earning my Pro Card wasn’t just about the competition—it was about redemption, victory over the darkest times of my life, and proof that my story could inspire others to never give up.
INSPIRE Magazine: You are now in prep for IPL APEX VIIII in November. What is your mindset going into this upcoming show?
Bre: My mindset is definitely different this time because it’s my Pro debut. I’m approaching prep with more focus and discipline, and the bar has been set higher because I know how much it took to get here. For me, it’s not just about competing, it’s about showing up as the best version of myself and setting the tone for this next chapter of my journey.

"Beyond the stage, I want to expand my reach to motivate other women to go after their goals with confidence and resilience, no matter what obstacles they face."

INSPIRE Magazine: Your story is filled with resilience and defying the odds. What would you say to someone who’s facing their own “you’ll never” moment right now?
Bre: I’d tell them not to let someone else’s limitations become their reality. Every “you’ll never” moment is really an opportunity to prove what you’re capable of. Believe in yourself, take it one step at a time, and use those words as fuel to rise stronger than you ever imagined.
INSPIRE Magazine: Now that you’ve proven back surgery couldn’t break you, in addition to APEX coming up, what’s next for Bre Wilson, both in the IPL and in life beyond the stage?
Bre: Of course, I’m working diligently on my Pro debut, but my goals don’t stop there. Within the IPL, I aspire to become a judge and give back to the sport in a new way. Beyond the stage, I want to expand my reach to motivate other women to go after their goals with confidence and resilience, no matter what obstacles they face. That looks like speaking engagements, motivational speaking, a podcast, perhaps a talk show, and training those with challenges and limitations in fitness. INSPIRE

Share this post:

INSPIRE

More Bre Wilson

More From INSPIRE Summer 2025 Issue

New IPL Pro & Top Transformation Winner Tina Campbell Lands Cover Of INSPIRE Magazine

“When life knocked me to my knees, I learned that’s the perfect place to pray. After my son’s accident, I felt broken like there was nothing left of me. But through my faith, I found fire. Bodybuilding became my therapy. I stepped on that stage not for a trophy, but as proof that no matter how dark it gets, there’s always a light if you don’t stop fighting. Pain can become your power.”

Read More »

More From INSPIRE Magazine

BACK TO THE TOP
Tagged ,
  • competeipl.com
Instagram Youtube