Carmen Dwyer

Carmen is a 39 year old single mother of an 18 year old son.  She is of Portuguese decent and she was born in Portugal.

Since the age of 14, Carmen has struggled with an eating disorder and body dysmorphic disorder.  Dealing with an injury to her right knee since the age of 7, she could never participate in any sports while growing up.  She was the kid who sat out on the bleaches during gym class throughout her school years. 

Carmen's dream was to look like the magazine models, not knowing how, when, where, or what she could do , she just knew she wanted to look like them and from there her obsession began.

Through the years Carmen tried every diet imaginable and she never saw the results that she imagined she would get. Carmen always tried to maintain a healthy diet and she ran 4-5 miles per day with abs and push ups.  Yes, that was the extent of her fitness until last year.

2008, was her year to SHINE….She joined her local gym and started working out. Then... one day she was asked if she would be interested in competing…No Way, she said…"I will do the diet and see where it takes me".

Well, friends…4 weeks later she saw the most AMAZING transformation in her body and she never wanted to look back.

For the first time in 25 years, Carmen looked in the mirror and LOVED what she saw. She fell in love with her body again and she found the greatest passion ever in maintaining a clean eating diet and weight-training.  Staying fit has helped her overcome many fears and struggles. Carmen was able to overcome an anxiety disorder that she had been battling for 8 years, and of course it helped her build her confidence. Carmen never thought she could be where she is today, physically, mentally and emotionally. She owes it all to the people who have helped her in the last year, and of course to herself. Carmen's commitment, dedication, determination and perseverance to staying fit and healthy has changed her life for the best, and she hopes that she can inspire others to feel the same.

Carmen is currently taking a course on fitness and nutrition to help her be more educated in the fitness industry and so that she may share her experience and knowledge with others

She is living proof that if you believe in yourself and have the drive and determination to make a difference, anything is possible! 

Carmen started competing in figure competitions in July of 2008. Her goal is to continue her training and earn her pro card and continue with the fitness industry to encourage, motivate and empower others to achieve their goals and to see herself in fitness magazines.

Thanks to all who have inspired and supported me.  You have touched my life in one way or another.

Contest History

2008

NPC NewEngland, New Hampshire

Figure Novice – 2^nd place

Figure classic – 2^nd place

WBFF – World Championship- Canada 

Figure classic – 2^nd place

BLNPA – Seekonk, MA

Figure Novice – 1^st place

Figure Classic – 1^st place

Figure Open – 1^st place

Figure Over All

Features and Shoots

Joel Roberts Photography- Fitness

MTM Photography – Model Fame

BodyProud- upcoming feature

Up Coming Shows

WBFF – September

OCB – October

Wish my luck!

 Joe Yurkunas

In recent years it is becoming more and more prevalent to have power lifters jumping into the bodybuilding arena. Joe Yurkunas (Trainer Joe) as he's known at the gym, is one of those athletes that could do so easily if he weren't enjoying his power lifting success. Joe is 5'8" tall and weighs in at between 180 lbs - 225 lbs. depending on what particular training  / dieting phase he's on.

Joe started training in high school, took a year off after he graduated, and once he started again, never stopped. Joe's power lifting feats are jaw dropping. All of his lifts are done raw (no belt or wraps).

How's this for numbers...... His best squat was 550 lbs. for a single and he's done 435 lbs. for 10 reps. I can attest to the fact that each squat was to about 2 inches from the floor. Amazing! His bench press has maxed out at 410 lbs. for a single and 315 lbs. for 9 reps. It's hard to imagine that the squat and bench press aren't even his best lifts. Joe is best known for his dead lift feats. How's this for jaw dropping? He has done 655 lbs. for a single, 495 lbs. for 12 reps, and 585 lbs. for 5 reps...... no belt, no gloves and no wraps!

Joe's legs and back are absolutely two of the best body parts you will ever see on a natural athlete. One of these days I'm going to convince him to give the bodybuilding sport a try. But for now..... he'll continue to go for new PR's and continue to impress everyone around him. Here's some of Joe's Power lifting competition background:

Entered a bench meet in CT but didn't give myself enough time to learn the shirt. Ended up with a disappointing 375 (yes I actually did better unequipped). I had also been dieting and doing 1hr of cardio every day for about 4-5 weeks prior to this meet (last minute decision).

Entered a deadlift meet in VT and ended up with an even 600lbs pull. I was apx 210 for this event.

Competed in strongman contest in VT. 1st one and had a great time. placed 6th. and won the car deadlift event overall with 13 reps. My weak point here was the log press and my speed on the medley.

Currently looking forward to another Strongman event (Dec 13th). I have improved my log work substantially but still expect a middle of the road placing on the carrying events which require more speed.

No bodybuilding contests as of yet although I would like to get my feet in that pool eventually. I don't really care for the dieting aspect although when I do decide to take the plunge my diet weapon of choice would probably be with Dave Palumbo. I have not worked with him directly but followed his diet ideas with pretty good success on my own. I could have been more strict with the cardio but I felt that I was able to maintain every ounce of muscle even without the carbs.

In the long run I enjoy training just for myself and occasionally like to try a competition here or there. The difference with me is that I do not NEED the competition to stay motivated in the gym. I enjoy getting stronger or leaner or bigger or whatever. Just knowing that I can change my body when I want to is fantastic! My current goal is to compete in Dec and see how I do. The outcome of that event will determine where I go from there. That event is a national qualifier. So, if I do extremely well there I may have to pursue the strongman training a bit further and see where I can take it. If I don't do so well, I will take 2 weeks off (til January) and start a diet to see if I can improve upon the condition I achieved last time I dieted.

Joe

Video of Joe Dead Lifting 655 lbs. (Raw)