Carli Terepka started nursing school at Kent State in August 2012 while training for her first bodybuilding show. On top of schoolwork, Terepka spent the majority of her first semester in Kent driving back and forth to her home in Medina, Ohio, to train and get the majority of her meal portions.
Terepka decided to move back home after completing her first semester and first bodybuilding show in order to take classes at a community college and better balance her lifestyle.
“I wanted to do something different and not have to fit the stereotype of the average college student,” Terepka said. “Many people think when they graduate high school, they just have to go right to college.”
Though sometimes the bodybuilding lifestyle can be lonely, living in hotel rooms and dedicating a lot of time to a disciplined diet and workout routine, Terepka said she finds it rewarding and interrelated with her individuality.
Terepka competed as one of the youngest competitors in the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, from March 5-8. Her second time participating in the competition, Terepka competed in the figure category among some of the world’s best professional bodybuilders.
Carli snacks on some of her prepared food before round one of the competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Thursday, March 5, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. The top 10 qualifiers will compete in a second round on the main stage Saturday. In 2014, Carli placed seventh in the second round. “My goal this time is to place in the top five,” Carli said. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli’s sister Jess Terepka (left), Carli and her mom, Dawn, walk across the convention center’s bridge to go get Carli’s hair and makeup done. “Having the support of my family at my shows makes all the difference. I know of other competitors that do this completely alone and their families don’t approve,” Carli said. Photo by Leah Klafczynski .
Carli’s sister Jess helps adjust her wig for round one of the competition as Carli sets her jewelery. Jess is a cancer survivor and still has a few wigs left from her battle. Carli decided to try something different for this contest and wear one of Jess’s wigs. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli takes a selfie in the hotel mirror while waiting for the elevator to take her down to the competition floor. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Jess helps Carli change into her figure suit in the convention center bathroom. “She’s my right hand man—cradle to grave. I tried to be her rock when she was going through cancer, and she’s my rock when my gas tank is empty, and I am running on fumes. She knows how to handle me better than anyone during a show because she sees what I put myself through on a daily basis.” . Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli rests with her legs up backstage before the show. Keeping her feet up helps to prevent her legs from retaining water before taking the stage. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli poses during round one of the competition on Thursday, March 5, 2015. She placed in the top ten to compete on Saturday. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
A big part of the bodybuilding lifestyle is living out of bags. Carli always has her makeup, heels, suit and signature pink Chuck Taylors for any competition. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli applies her tan in her hotel room in Dublin, a suburb of Columbus, the morning of the final competition on Saturday, March 7, 2015. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli waits with her competitors before taking the main stage. “I’ve done every second of cardio. I never miss a lift. My diet has been perfect. I’ve done 110% and all I can do. Now it’s time to just enjoy the show,” she said. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli meets her goal of placing in the top five and places fourth among her competitors during the final stage of the competition. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli’s trophy hangs out of her bag as she prepares to leave the 2015 Arnold Sports Festival. Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
Carli wipes the remaining tanner off of her face back at her hotel in Dublin. She plans to continue training to earn her bodybuilding pro card from her new home in Fayetteville, North Carolina. When she needs motivation, she often reflects on this quote: “Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here and don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. There are no teams here, no buddies. You’re on your own. Be on your own.” Photo by Leah Klafczynski.
