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Most Improved – IPL Pro Coretta Ward

“…it was about starting the journey. I was determined to walk down this road. No matter what.”

I am a big fan of Coretta Ward’s. I recall judging her at her first IPL contest, the March 2016 Natural GAINZ Magazine Classic in NYC.
     I remember thinking she had a nice physique, but with some seasoning and experience she could be really good. But, in this sport, you never know if you will see athletes return to the stage.
     For many, contest prep and making it to the stage is a feat in and of itself. A bucket list item, so to speak. Which I think is totally great and a wonderful thing to achieve. However, there are other competitors who get bitten by that “bug” and strive to achieve more with regards to the competitive arena. Coretta Ward is a shining example of the latter.
     I was recently putting together a list of IPL athletes to feature next and Coretta popped into my head. I love her drive, will and determination. Her awesome level-headed perspective on the sport, as swell as the incredible improvements she made over a 14 month time span.
BEN YOSEF: Congrats on all of your success on the IPL stage. You have made such improvements since you first entered the IPL at the March 2016 GAINZ Classic. Your last show was the May 2017 New Jersey Pro/Am. Let’s start at the beginning. What got you interested in competing?
CORETTA WARD: First of all, thank you for the opportunity. I am grateful and humbled to be a part of the IPL and to have earned PRO STATUS in two divisions. There are two reasons that I compete in Physique Competitions to this day…
     My fitness journey started when I was about 27 years old. My now husband introduced me to the whole lifestyle. I loved everything about it! Especially the fact that it kept my focus, gave me a new lease on life and helped channel a lot of pain.
     I grew increasingly hungry for more. More ways to train and ways to be healthier and Stronger, both mentally and physically. Coming from humble beginnings, I faced so many challenges. With fitness, I have a way to self-medicate.
     2015 was a year full of hurt. I was suffering from depression. I needed something to focus all of my energy into. And then, it appeared to me like a light bulb inside of my head. I wanted to go all the way, and compete on stage for the first time.
YOSEF: Powerful stuff! Starting with show number one, the March 2016 IPL Natural GAINZ Magazine Classic. How were you feeling coming into that show?
WARD: I gotta keep it all the way 100 with you, Ben… That first show, I was nervous, excited, but believe it or not, I was pretty confident!
     It wasn’t so much about my placement OR how my physique faired against other competitors…it was about starting the journey. I was determined to walk down this road. No matter what.
     That’s where the confidence came from. It was like walking down the road to climb Mt Everest. You see the mountain as it rests in the clouds, but have no idea the long and tiresome journey that it takes to even reach the first summit. However, that mountain is calling you, so you have to go to it.
     Truth is, I didn’t know what the heck I was doing, nor what to expect. [laughs] I had attended one bodybuilding competition in person prior to this, and watched some of the shows religiously on YouTube. However, nothing prepares you for the real thing.
YOSEF: Your next show was the New Jersey Pro/Am, just a couple of months later. At that show, I think you really popped. You came in fuller and more confident. Your posing improved and you took home some 1st place hardware. What changed between march and may?

“I also started to understand the prep a little bit more, and what I needed to do to get stage ready.”

WARD: Yes! Thank you! That answer stems from the first competition, The Natural GAINZ Magazine classic, where I met Kaylin Payne. Her and I instantly became friends. She and I started talking that day. She was so sweet and encouraging. We exchanged numbers. She helped me tremendously with my diet and introduced me to my posing coach, Maria Allegro. We spoke/texted almost everyday leading up to the New Jersey Pro/Am, where it was also her Pro debut. We gave each other daily encouragement. I was and am thankful for her ‘til this very day.
     I also started to understand the prep a little bit more, and what I needed to do to get stage ready. No where near perfected, but a HUGE step forward. Knowing how my body responded to certain foods, and building as much muscle as I could. Although, still not knowing which category I belonged in (Figure, Bikini, Etc.). I also received a lot more knowledge and understanding from being around other competitors.
BEN: Ok, that leads us to your third show. The 2nd Annual North Atlantic in Ridgefield, CT. Everyone really took notice of the improvements you showed in New Jersey, but I would say in CT is where you really came alive. Everyone was like whuuuuut???
     At that show you placed 1st in Women’s Athletic Open, winning your Pro Card. And you placed 3rd in Figure Open. What changed in the five months between New Jersey and Connecticut? And this was also, the show that marked then end of Bikini for you…

“I was born with a physique that could hold onto muscle! I just never knew how to make that come alive, visually.”

WARD: Yes, it was. And thank you so much! I went really hard during that prep! HARD IN THE PAINT! BEAST MODE ON! [laughs]
     Seriously though, Alvin and I, through trial and error came up with a spectacular/custom diet for me. Some very interesting concoctions, which I will not share. [laughs]
     I practiced more and more the art of posing. Acquired better training techniques to sculpt my body. I was able to enhance my genetics for the first time. It’s like, say someone is born with a talent, like singing. However, that person must still take voice lessons to master their craft.
     I was born with a physique that could hold onto muscle! I just never knew how to make that come alive, visually. My mind was also focused. I was in a really good place, mentally. Strange as it may sound, I enjoyed that prep. Bland food, asparagus and all. [laughs]
     I did mess up during peak week. Learned a valuable lesson. BUT YES! Winning that PRO CARD was EVERYTHING! I set out to do something and took it all the way there! PRO STATUS! Even coming in 3rd in Figure was a milestone. It was a wonderful competition for me, all around!
BEN: Your final show was a return to the New Jersey Pro/Am in 2017. At this show you would enter your Pro Debut in Athletic. You went up against Julia Hubbard, who is an amazing, world-class athlete, and placed 2nd. You also earned your Figure Pro Card at that show. I would say that this show is when you truly arrived. Finally, what did you do in order to bring that look to the stage this past may? And when can we expect to see you back on the IPL stage?
WARD: This is a long journey. I had more patience. More confidence in the results that I was producing. Seeing in my body things that weren’t there, but knowing that if I put in the work, they would come. I just kept going! Trusting the process.   
     Yes, Julia Hubbard. She is truly amazing. I actually adore and admire her and so many other competitors in the IPL. There is true camaraderie in this league.
     I mean, the Figure Pro Card! Come on! I was floored with excitement, gratefulness and a huge sense of accomplishment! Also pressure, because when you hold the title as Pro in two divisions, you have to live up to the bar every single time.

“Like I said, it don’t stop!”

     When will I return to the stage? Like I said, it don’t stop! I continue to train, and my body continues to transform as a result. I am working on some particular areas of my physique, more strategic than before. But, as you all know, I come harder and better every single time!
     I‘m slow cooking right now, so I’m not sure when the bell will go off. [laughs] But, I am aiming for 2018. If not me, I have some athletes to introduce to this amazing organization. The only league that gives the athletes this kind of shine. So grateful to be a part of it. Thank you, Ben! I wish you continued success! Congratulations to the IPL! See you next year! NMI

About the interviewer:

Picture of Ben Yosef

Ben Yosef

Ben is the Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NATURALMAG and the President & Founder of the International Physique League.

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