An Ashby woman who joined a gym three years ago following her pregnancy is about to take part in a World Bodybuilding Championship event in Los Angeles.

Blanka Harvey started working out at the Fitness Republic gym in Market Street - that was shortly after the mother of two had given birth.

At first, she just wanted to shed a few pounds and get fitter.

But then she found herself becoming more involved and soon she was passing a fitness instructors' course.

Blanka then started teaching Zumba in and around Ashby and Measham.

But she also began entering bodybuilding contests - and winning them at the first attempt.

Now she is set to fly to LA later this. month where she will compete in the INBF and WNBF World Championships (Nov 19-20).

Blank has set up a fundraiser for the event HERE.

She told Ashby Nub News that she saw none of this coming in the first instance.

Blanka's before and after photos

But it was the Covid lockdown months that made her think about which direction she wanted to take.

Blanka left her job in hospitality to focus on training others and taking part in competitions.

She said: "I started as a member at Fitness Republic and I completed my fitness instructor course.

"Then I've got into bodybuilding and I happened to be a successful at it!

"I wanted to join the gym to get back to the fitness levels that I had before my pregnancy.

"That was the aim, to feel a bit better about myself.

"But I haven't stopped exercising since.

":I actually completed a lot of qualifications during lockdown, in fact I came out of lockdown with an entirely new career.

"But I wanted to transform my body,"

Blanka says she wants the progress she has made to inspire others to get fitter.

She added: "I was very new to the fitness industry. I wanted to create a profile so that I could inspire all the ladies that have recently had a baby or are struggling with weight again.

"I wanted to be an inspiration for my future clients."

But Blanka did not quite expect to do so well in the world of competition body building.

She added: "I had my first competition last year and I won my first show!

"It was in Maidenhead s that show qualified me for the British finals, and I won the British finals last year.

"I am now a British champion. In bikini class."

Blanka explained what is involved in competition standard bodybuilding.

She added: "On the competition day itself, they are judging my physique and my presentation.

"I am in a bikini and I have a dark fake tan to emphasise my muscle tone, you have to do various poses to demonstrate your physique, From that the judges pick a winner.

"I will be going to Los Angeles later this month. It is the world championships and this is a very big event.

"I'm not sure how many competitors will be there because people can still qualify.

Blanka with Fitness Republic owners in Ashby

"I will be part of team GB with 15 amateur athletes and seven professionals. I'm in the amateur group.

"But I never thought this would happen at all,

"I thought that was it when I won the British title, we had a celebration at the gym, but a few days later I got an official invite to go to Los Angeles to be part of team GB.

"It was such a shock but I felt amazing since about this."

Blanka's busy schedule includes Zumba classes at Breedon Priory, Champneys Springs and Measham Leisure Centre.

She said: "I work now as a personal trainer, I coach about 25 ladies as well as the Zumba classes which people are welcome to come and join my classes.

"And I still manage to fit the school run in every day!"