Cheryl Shiver
Photography by Reggie Bridges
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"64, Sexy, and Powerful"
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editior-in-Chief Copa: When did you get the idea of competing for the Bikini Body Competition?
Cheryl: The idea to compete in May came to me this year, and actually it wasn't my idea! I was in the process of having an in ground granite pool installed in my backyard and noticed that even though I had been working out, my body was not pool ready. I had been following a trainer, Shawn Lewis, on Facebook off and on. He advertised a guaranteed 'Bikini Body' in 8 weeks! I reached out to him saw some of his results and I signed on the dotted line, and after 3 sessions he saw my work ethic and how well my body was responding and I asked if I would compete. He said that I would be an Inspiration to many, men women young and old. He stated he has been training for many years and had not seen a 63 year like me before! On those words alone I was inspired and said yes. But I had no idea what I was in for!
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Photography by Reggie Bridges
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Copa: Were you already involved with a serious workout regimen?
Cheryl: I was working out with another trainer but wasn't getting the results in wanted, thus the reason I sought out Shawn Lewis. People thought I was always in shape until I posted the before and after photos.
Cheryl: I was working out with another trainer but wasn't getting the results in wanted, thus the reason I sought out Shawn Lewis. People thought I was always in shape until I posted the before and after photos.
Copa: Did it take very long for you to train?
Cheryl: It didn't take long for me to be competition ready. Shawn got me ready to compete in 8 weeks! That consisted of diet and 7 days a week of working out. I literally drove 1 hour up and 1 hour back daily, from Douglasville to Lawrenceville, Georgia. That was commitment I had to stick to.
Cheryl: It didn't take long for me to be competition ready. Shawn got me ready to compete in 8 weeks! That consisted of diet and 7 days a week of working out. I literally drove 1 hour up and 1 hour back daily, from Douglasville to Lawrenceville, Georgia. That was commitment I had to stick to.
Copa: What did you think about your first competition and how did you place?
Cheryl: I was really excited about my first competition. I competed in the SNBF Women's Bikini and placed 4th among 40 year old competitors! I remember the workout and the diet being so challenging, that I had said when this is over I'm going to have a T shirt made that said "One and Done." Everyone laughed at me, but after the experience being backstage with all the athletes, the high that you get the adrenaline rush at my placing and receiving a medal.... I was on to the next one!
Cheryl: I was really excited about my first competition. I competed in the SNBF Women's Bikini and placed 4th among 40 year old competitors! I remember the workout and the diet being so challenging, that I had said when this is over I'm going to have a T shirt made that said "One and Done." Everyone laughed at me, but after the experience being backstage with all the athletes, the high that you get the adrenaline rush at my placing and receiving a medal.... I was on to the next one!
Lee Haney, 8 time Mr. Olympia title holder.
Copa: How did you get the opportunity to meet Mr. Lee Haney? He's won multiple Mr. Olympia competitions.
Cheryl: I met Lee Haney for the first time at the SNBF. He was a guest speaker. Truthfully I didn't even know who he was. When I noticed how excited all the others athletes were googled him! After the competition I approached him and asked to take a photo with him. He obliged and when speaking with him I informed him that it was my 1st competition he was amazed and told me not to stop and I was a natural.
So that also had something to do with my one and done not coming to fruition. I told my trainer what Mr. Haney had said and he just shook his head and said, "I told you." I took a 4 week break and We went to work on the Nov 2nd show back at the SNBF.
Then out of the blue on a Monday Morning I get a call from Mr. Lee Haney, he received my contact information from the SNBF organization and was opening up a category for 60 plus and asked if I would compete. By now I knew who he was and his importance in this arena. Without much hesitation said yes. I did have to call my trainer as we were planning on competing in the the SBNF the same day, but he too agreed that this was big! This was Lee Haney!
Cheryl: I met Lee Haney for the first time at the SNBF. He was a guest speaker. Truthfully I didn't even know who he was. When I noticed how excited all the others athletes were googled him! After the competition I approached him and asked to take a photo with him. He obliged and when speaking with him I informed him that it was my 1st competition he was amazed and told me not to stop and I was a natural.
So that also had something to do with my one and done not coming to fruition. I told my trainer what Mr. Haney had said and he just shook his head and said, "I told you." I took a 4 week break and We went to work on the Nov 2nd show back at the SNBF.
Then out of the blue on a Monday Morning I get a call from Mr. Lee Haney, he received my contact information from the SNBF organization and was opening up a category for 60 plus and asked if I would compete. By now I knew who he was and his importance in this arena. Without much hesitation said yes. I did have to call my trainer as we were planning on competing in the the SBNF the same day, but he too agreed that this was big! This was Lee Haney!
Copa: Are people amazed that people over 60 compete at this level?
Cheryl: Yes people are amazed that women over 60 compete at this level. What's more surprising is that there are few women jumping into the arena at the age of 63. I myself was amazed when I looked around at the Lee Haney event and saw women as old as 70 competing, but not in Bikini! There are different categories, one for every "body."
Cheryl: Yes people are amazed that women over 60 compete at this level. What's more surprising is that there are few women jumping into the arena at the age of 63. I myself was amazed when I looked around at the Lee Haney event and saw women as old as 70 competing, but not in Bikini! There are different categories, one for every "body."
Copa: Do you feel that you're an encouragement for other women to take their heath & fitness more seriously?
Cheryl: I'm not sure if I'm an encouragement to other women over 60 to compete. Competition isn't for everyone. However I have two friends who vowed to see me on stage next year! But what I would hope that I do is to inspire woman of all ages to take better care of their bodies and be more health conscience. There's no such thing as 'Big Boned.' You're not your Mother's body... BE the best you can be.
I will be collecting SSI on the first of the year of 2020. I'll be going into the system healthy! If nothing else, I'll be healthy so that I wont have all the additional expenses in my senior years.
Cheryl: I'm not sure if I'm an encouragement to other women over 60 to compete. Competition isn't for everyone. However I have two friends who vowed to see me on stage next year! But what I would hope that I do is to inspire woman of all ages to take better care of their bodies and be more health conscience. There's no such thing as 'Big Boned.' You're not your Mother's body... BE the best you can be.
I will be collecting SSI on the first of the year of 2020. I'll be going into the system healthy! If nothing else, I'll be healthy so that I wont have all the additional expenses in my senior years.
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Copa: How did it feel to win First Place in your latest competition?
Cheryl: Man it feels amazing to win First Place. I keep looking at my photos, glancing in the mirror, and walk a new walk. I stand in my posing position while in grocery line too. (Lol.) .Every chance I get I'll tell you that I competed in the Lee Haney Games and placed 1st in 60 plus Bikini! My Son is extra proud as well.
Cheryl: Man it feels amazing to win First Place. I keep looking at my photos, glancing in the mirror, and walk a new walk. I stand in my posing position while in grocery line too. (Lol.) .Every chance I get I'll tell you that I competed in the Lee Haney Games and placed 1st in 60 plus Bikini! My Son is extra proud as well.
Copa: What does the future hold for Cheryl Shiver and her world of health & fitness?
Cheryl: As far as what the future holds in the world of fitness and health, I'm preparing for the next competition which are the Nationals. That's going to be even more intense than the Lee Haney Games. I need to place in the Nationals in order to go Pro. That's my goal. In addition, I would like to become a motivational speaker. I would like to speak about my journey and share my thoughts of my life and my joy.
Cheryl: As far as what the future holds in the world of fitness and health, I'm preparing for the next competition which are the Nationals. That's going to be even more intense than the Lee Haney Games. I need to place in the Nationals in order to go Pro. That's my goal. In addition, I would like to become a motivational speaker. I would like to speak about my journey and share my thoughts of my life and my joy.
