Heather Brice
Images captured at April 2024 9th Annual IPL Arizona Championship Weekend in Phoenix.
Is Strong & Nice
PHOTOS BY BEN YOSEF
Welcome to SEAM Magazine’s exclusive interview with Heather Brice, the epitome of strength and kindness in the world of physique competition. Her path to the IPL stage, and ultimately to Pro Champion status, was marked by determination and the guidance of mentors. Mentors who believed in her potential, igniting a journey that led to profound personal growth and professional achievement. Join us as Heather Brice opens up about her remarkable career, balancing strength with compassion, and her commitment to inspiring others to exceed their own expectations.
"I did not know that going Pro in the physique world was within reach until my coaches started painting that vision for me."
SEAM MAGAZINE: Heather, your journey to IPL Pro Champion is incredibly inspiring. Can you tell us about the moment when you realized you wanted to enter the world of Physique Competition?
HEATHER BRICE: I stewed on the decision to compete for quite a while as I watched my friends and sideline sister in Arbonne post her fitness journey, her consistency in clean eating habits when we traveled together, and built my confidence when working out together on those trips. As soon as I signed up to train with La’net and Teresa Moss, my belief in my abilities, and that I could train to be on stage started growing. It wasn’t long before the allure of traveling to the beautiful white sands of Destin Florida, and hanging with incredibly motivated gals like me poolside, pushed me into stretching myself by getting uncomfortable and competing on stage. I registered for Destin with huge fears that my willpower wouldn’t hold to get me lean enough but I was excited to learn the cutting process. I did not know that going Pro in the physique world was within reach until my coaches started painting that vision for me.
SEAM: As someone who’s achieved so much in the IPL, so relatively quickly, what advice would you give to those who are just starting out on their competition journey?
HEATHER: Find good coaches who are like-minded to you. They should have a positive mindset, love what they are doing, and have hearts that want to see you succeed. Then you need to do what they say. Nutrition, workouts, and mindset matters. On the days you don’t feel like it…whatever “it” is…one more set, one more chicken breast, rest day, posing each day…Do it anyway. I also tracked my macros daily, checked in weekly, and reminded myself that if I wasn’t doing the work, my competition was.
"I always want to put off a vibe of positive, compassionate energy. I am focused and intense in the gym but I also try to be aware of people around me and smile. I've always been an encourager..."
SEAM: Many people may assume that being a Pro Champion requires sacrificing kindness and compassion for competitiveness. How do you balance your strength with your kindness?
HEATHER: That surprises me that people assume that! I always want to put off a vibe of positive, compassionate energy. I am focused and intense in the gym but I also try to be aware of people around me and smile. I’ve always been an encourager and I hope that energy is portrayed. One of my biggest motivations is the hope that I inspire others to see that they can create the physique they want, and change how they see and feel about themselves.
SEAM: You’ve competed at the highest level in the IPL. What have been some of your most memorable competition moments?
HEATHER: Just being on stage with other competitors has been memorable and thrilling! I think pose-offs are my favorite. I’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with Jen Vernon in Sports Model Masters in Destin when reaching for a Pro Card and with Vlada Sodoma in the Pro Masters Evening Gown in Phoenix. However, my favorite moments are with the team, learning that we each have pushed ourselves beyond what we thought was possible even with life throwing challenging moments or situations at us. I love our group posing practices, and pre and post-competition time together. Everyone has a persistence story to be proud of. It’s the process and journey I love the most.
"My message for others to push past those self-limiting thoughts would be to start small, even 5 minutes a day…your body will start taking care of you when you start taking care of your body…"
SEAM: Beyond physical strength, mental resilience is crucial in fitness. How do you stay motivated and focused, especially during challenging times?
HEATHER: I listen to my body. If times are challenging, and I need rest, I take a rest day. My training in swimming as a child helped prepare me to push through the hard mental days. I know that consistently getting to the gym first thing in the morning sets my day up for feeling successful, accomplished, and true to the promises I made to myself.
SEAM: Age is often considered a limiting factor in fitness, but you’ve defied that stereotype. What message do you have for individuals who think they’re too old to start their fitness journey?
HEATHER: If someone had told my 44-year-old self that I’d be on stage at 55, I would have thought they were crazy. My journey started with one small step. A 30-day nutrition reset that changed everything for me. My work trajectory, my inflammation, and my mindset. I had horrible back, neck, and leg pain prior. That led to me coaching others through that healthy living process, an incredible business with Arbonne, and eventually to the IPL stage. My message for others to push past those self-limiting thoughts would be to start small, even 5 minutes a day, and figure out what foods are causing inflammation. In most cases, your body will start taking care of you when you start taking care of your body through consistent nutrition, cardio, lifting, and a positive mindset.
"...I work hard to keep my energy and mindset positive. I know how negative energy can be contagious."
SEAM: Alongside your fitness career, you’re known for your kindness and warmth. How do you incorporate these qualities into your interactions with others, within and outside of the fitness community?
HEATHER: I always hope those who cross my path feel better about themselves after interacting with me. Part of that comes from the amazing friendly hometown I was blessed to grow up in. The other was my loving parents, my Husband, some special teachers and coaches, and an innate sense of empathy. When I go out into public, I am intentional in making eye contact, and smiling at others, and I work hard to keep my energy and mindset positive. I know how negative energy can be contagious.
SEAM: How do you use your platform to promote not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being?
HEATHER: As an Independent Consultant and business owner and now an IPL Professional, I share my story, my successes, and the challenges I had to get to where I am now so that others can relate and visualize themselves pushing past fears and succeeding too. I listen to those wanting advice on nutrition, mindset, and business to help them identify goals and steps to achieve them holistically. Physical, emotional, and mental health are all tied together, so I recommend my clients start with gut health because I’ve learned that the gut microbiome affects our entire system.
"When living to our full potential our families and friends can learn to do the same."
I am also a big proponent of daily affirmations and meditation (a work in progress myself). Quieting the negative self-talk and grounding ourselves from the overly busy world around us is so effective for our overall well-being. As my team is growing and duplicating the practices of serving others in this way, my time is leveraged, so that even more people can be lifted to live to their full potential.
SEAM: Looking ahead, what are your goals, both personally and professionally, in the next chapter of your fitness journey?
HEATHER: My goals are to find 4 more driven people for my team who want more out of life, financially, physically, and emotionally, and want to serve others, bringing them to the top of Arbonne with me. I will secure more Pro Cards by improving my posing and physique balance. I hope to empower hundreds of others to venture into this league, push past their fears, and live healthier, happier lives. When living to our full potential our families and friends can learn to do the same. SEAM
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