Meet Carrie Hughes | IFBB PRO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carrie Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carrie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe if you’re not taking risks, you’re not growing. If you’re not growing and moving forward you will never reach your full potential.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Carrie Hughes , I am an Ifbb Pro bodybuilding athlete. I have been married for 22 years, I am a mom of two, I have been a personal trainer for 13 years and am the Owner of Solid Fitness Inc.

My love for health and fitness long before I ever stepped foot into a gym. I was obsessed with the American Gladiators and admired the fit physique the women had on that show. I would also watch the Fitness shows on TV and be in awe of the women who did fitness routines along with the poses. I was very active and competitive as a child, my first time in a gym was with my dad at the age of 13, he took me into a Golds Gym, and I remember loving it. I don’t remember ever going back to a gym consistently, just every once in a while when my dad would take me to work with him. throughout my Hs years, I played sports competitively and had great success doing so. When HS over, that was when my love for the gym and lifting weights turned into a passion. I asked for a gym membership as my graduation gift, and that is exactly what I got. I was a member at Ballys total fitness and never missed a day! I was into fitness long before there was any social media or google to help with workouts, routines, eating properly etc., so all the research on lifting, supplements, training styles I had was to be found in Fitness magazines. I loved to read new things and try them out in the gym, often I would carry the magazine with me and do the exact routine that was shown . I remember back when you had to flip to the back of a magazine, wait for the newest issue to read who won each show, I had a strong desire for years to compete, but didn’t pursue it until 2012, after being married 12 years, and having 2 babies. I decided that I would finally give it a shot, I competed in my very first NPC show at the age of 32. I trained myself, did my own nutrition, and came up with a plan to step onto the stage in a short 5 weeks. I did it, and placed 5th in the Open Figure Class. I would go on to compete Locally and Nationally in the Figure division for the next 9 years and then in July 2022, I decide to cross over and compete In both Women’s Physique and also Women’s Figure Division’s, doing a total of 3 National NPC shows in the Month of July to try and win my IFBB Pro card. I went all in, and it payed of, I placed at every show, missing my pro card by just 1 or two placing a , but finally , the last show of my season, not only did I win my pro card, I also won the Overall title of Ms. USA at the 2022 NPC USA bodybuilding Championships in the WPD. What a momentous victory! All those years of giving it my all had finally paid off!!

Along with being a Personal Trainer, and competitor, I also own Solid Fitness which just launched in 2021. We started a line of clothing to promote what we believe has been the foundation of our life over the the past 24 years that we have been together. Solid fitness is not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle, one that we live by and follow as a family daily! that. Fitness is something we have built our marriage around, what we have raised our kids in and the lifestyle we live and promote. Working out and living healthy has created a solid foundation that will remain part of us forever. The most amazing part of the journey for me is seeing that the lifestyle my self and my husband have lived for so long is now a family affair. My husband competed in his first NPC show this year, winning his class in Mens Physique, my daughter is also an NPC nationally qualified Bikini competitor and my son, although he has yet to compete , played competitive soccer since the age of 4, and and now at 18 loves the gym and also works for Pure Nutrition which is a local supplement company that sponsors myself and my daughter. It’s truly a Solid foundation for our family, something I am extremely proud of. The support we share with one another is unmatched.

My passion for helping others through health and fitness is definitely a gift. I am proud to share it with others as a trainer and Pro athlete. I and living proof that with consistency and dedication you can have whatever you want if you’re willing to work hard for it and never give up! The only limits that will ever stop you from reaching a goal, are the ones you set for yourself, First set the standard, then raise the bar.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thankful for the support from my husband Jason, and my two children, Chloe and Cole. They have always stood my side through every single show prep, over the past 10 years.

Instagram: 01fitgirl_ifbbpro/ solidfitnessinc / Solidfitnesstreats