Inspiration & Transformation Winner Phyllis Washington Escaped Abuse & Found God, Love, Health, Happiness
“It’s been a long challenging road, but so fulfilling. I’m loving my journey.”
Phyllis Washington was a Top Inspiration & Transformation Winner at the October 2022 6th Annual IPL West Coast Pro/Am in Sacramento, California.
This is her story.
INTERVIEW & PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS
BY BEN YOSEF
Phyllis has struggled with weight problems her entire life. At one point she weighed over 200 pounds. Her family has a history of high blood pressure. After the death of her mother, Phyllis had a reality check. She decided to take control of her own health through fitness and nutrition.
As she began her journey, people told her she was too old, that she couldn’t lose the weight, and that her metabolism would burn too slow. However, Phyllis didn’t listen to them and pressed her way forward.
Today Phyllis proudly weighs 138 pounds, all because she made a decision, believed it could be done and put in the work to achieve her goal. Her desire is to inspire women who are 60 and over to be fit, eat well and be the best version of themselves. Phyllis’ journey serves as a reminder to all of us that we can do anything we put our mind to.
BEN YOSEF: Congrats on your incredible transformation and success on the IPL stage! How are you feeling about all that you have accomplished?
PHYLLIS WASHINGTON: Thank you! It feels amazing. It’s been a long, challenging road, but so fulfilling. I’m loving my journey.
BEN: You shared some of your story at the IPL West Coast Pro/Am this past October. Which you won a Top Transformation award for. Congratulations again! Can you tell us more about your what led you to your fitness journey and ultimately to the stage?
PHYLLIS: I have been exercising since I was 17 years old. I started off by jogging. I struggled with my weight, Running was a way of helping me maintain it. I would view fitness magazines and say to myself, “I would love to do that one day.” I admired the mental fortitude it takes to achieve such a beautiful body. Over the years and weight loss, gains and COVID I had a shift in my thinking to get serious about my fitness. My weight had climbed to 189 pounds. For me, this was it. When my Coach asked me about my goal, I said I want to compete and walk across the stage in a bikini. I plan to continue my fitness journey.
BEN: Love it. Very inspirational. At the West Coast Pro/Am contest you entered only the Inspiration and Transformation division. Are you planning on entering other divisions in the future? Like the Bikini division?
Also, congratulations on the amazing photo shoot! You were fantastic! And so many great images came from it. I hope you enjoyed it! During our shoot you mentioned that you had a story. Which really inspired me to feature you in this magazine. What can you tell us about the abuse that you suffered in your past?
PHYLLIS: Yes, absolutely. I plan on entering the Bikini division, hopefully next year. I have big goals. My story started when I was five years old. I am born and raised in Oakland, CA. I have one particular memory of me playing outside with other neighborhood kids. This particular day, the upstairs neighbor came and got me. She told me I had to come inside. I asked her why and she said, “Just come inside.”
There stood my mother, her hair disheveled, her shirt torn and bloody. The police had my dad in handcuffs, escorting him inside a police car. These types of scenes were regular and often. I never knew what a healthy relationship looked like.
“As humans, we can do anything we set our minds to. Write your dreams and goals down.”
Domestic violence, as it is termed now, was my role model of a healthy relationship. As I became a young woman, I too would be attracted to men that abused me. I suffered unhealthy relationships most of my adult life.
The epiphany, or awareness, hit me when I started studying for my Bachelors degree in Psychology. One of the requirements was to take a class in Domestic Violence. There, in this class, I started to cry like a baby. Every relationship I had been in was violent. I was beaten up and abused.
In this class the subject hit me like a Mac truck. I would get beat up because I was breathing. The more educated I became, the stronger I became. I finally got the strength to fight back. I was blessed because I was working and making very good money. I did not have to depend on him financially. I say I’m blessed because I got out. Most women stay because they are dependent on their abuser. I was not and I left with my life.
Domestic violence is something that still today is not talked about enough and it comes with shame. If my story can help one person, I will continue to speak, educate and help women to get out of an unhealthy situation.
BEN: Wow, Phyllis. That is a very powerful story. Thank you so much for your bravery in sharing. And I’m so happy for you and proud of you for finding your way out of that. What role did health and fitness play for you during this time?
PHYLLIS: When I initially started exercising, fitness was key. I’ve done many forms of sports. Scuba diving, races, 5k, 10k and marathons, jogging, hiking. So, fitness has been extremely important. I’m an adrenal junkie. I love the natural feeling of a high when exercising. I shamefully admit, I was ignorant to the importance of nutrition or healthy eating. I had a shift in my thinking when I read the book, Eat Right for your Blood Type. It was informative and eye opening.
When I started working out with a Coach, it was pretty easy to change the way I eat (e.g. no sugar, flour, alcohol). However, I cheat at least once a week [laughs]. At this point it has become a way of life for me. Healthy eating is a choice I have learned to enjoy.
BEN: You have mentioned that God is a big part of your life. Did your strong relationship with God begin during these traumatic times?
“…love yourself just where you are and practice forgiveness. Forgiveness will heal your soul.”
PHYLLIS: Yes, my relationship with God began on February 9, 1988. My relationship with God helped me through some very dark times. He never left me. Had it not been for God, I don’t know what I would have done. He was my strength and the one I cried out to when I could not tell anyone. There is a lot of shame when you are being abused. There is fear of being judged.
BEN: Powerful. You would also eventually find love. True love. What can you tell us about the love relationship you eventually were blessed with? And was it hard for you to let go and trust again?
PHYLLIS: I will say all his qualities are on my “Dear God” list. Kindness, loving, compassionate, loves God, his mother and me. Unconditional love for me. This is him. There is more, but these were top on my list of what I prayed for in a partner.
BEN: I love that. And you deserve all these blessings. Phyllis, thank you so much again for sharing your story with me and INSPIRE Magazine. And congratulations once again on your success on the IPL stage in October. You have so much to be proud of and happy for! Blessed. It was great meeting you and getting to learn more about you. When will we see you back on the IPL stage? And any final thoughts?
PHYLLIS: Yes, I plan on entering the Bikini division in 2023. As humans, we can do anything we set our minds to. Write your dreams and goals down. The Bible tells us without a vision the people perish. Be kind to others, love yourself just where you are and practice forgiveness. Forgiveness will heal your soul. God loves you. Thank you for this opportunity to share my story. INSPIRE
About the interviewer:
Ben Yosef
Ben is the Publisher of INSPIRE Magazine and the President & Founder of the International Physique League.
INSPIRE Magazine Cover Story: Johnny Mattern Lost 80 Pounds, Earned Top Transformation Award & Became An IPL Pro
“When I saw 230lbs on the scale, that was the eye opener for me. I looked in the mirror and I told myself, ‘I need to fix this.’ I didn’t want to be a statistic…”
IPL Inspiration/Transformation, Fitness Angels & Evening Athlete Kayla Smith Lands Cover Of Inspire Magazine
“The moment I saw my face on the cover of INSPIRE Magazine, I was overwhelmed with emotion, and tears instantly filled my eyes. It felt like a powerful reminder that I am truly on the path meant for me. This achievement means so much because it reflects the progress, I’ve made by listening to my body, understanding my emotional needs, and finding balance through mindful nutrition and activity.”
INSPIRE Magazine Fall 2022 Issue
Cover: IPL Women’s Athletic Masters Pro & Evening Gown Masters Pro, Katie Acuna