How bodybuilding changed the life of a Filipina IFBB Bikini Pro Olympia qualifier
Last Oct. 25, Musclecontest Philippines held its annual National and Pro-League qualifier at The Upper Deck Sports Center in Pasig City. Out of the eight IFBB Pro Cards programmed to be given away, only five were awarded.
Female athletes only nailed two of the five IFBB Pro Cards. Adrielle Gan (a Filipina based in the US) got her Fit Model Pro Card while Ching Wen Yang of Taiwan got her Pro Card in Bikini.
For the second year, US-based Filipina IFBB Pro Bikini athlete Jennifer Lau attended the event to inspire the competing female bodybuilders. She arrived jubilant from a very recent IFBB Pro championship that qualified her for Olympia 2027. A mother, Navy veteran, business owner, stylist, and accountability coach, Jennifer shared how bodybuilding transformed her life.
Jennifer began competing in 2022, earning her Pro Card in 2023 at the Master’s Collegiate in Pittsburgh after two earlier attempts. She placed third at the Charlotte Pro Master show soon after turning Pro and recently earned second place and first place in two separate US competitions.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: How did you get into bodybuilding?
JENNIFER LAU: I ran my own business, worked nine to 10 hours daily, and was a soccer mom. I took my kid to soccer four days a week, then soccer games on weekends. That was my life, and my son is 19 years old now. I really just didn’t focus on anything but my business and my son. When my son, now 19, started driving, I focused on fitness. Meeting an amazing coach, a great guy, and a supportive community changed my life. What started as three days of training became four and, eventually, my coach encouraged me to compete. On a 20-week prep, I lost nearly 30 pounds and did my first show. My second show, a national one, earned me first place but no Pro Card. I didn’t even know what a Pro Card was back then!
What motivated you to continue?
The confidence bodybuilding gave me was life-changing. It helped me discover my potential and opened opportunities like new businesses and sponsorships. Having been in the military and martial arts, discipline was always part of me. If you truly want something, you can get it if you truly work for it. You can get it with the right people in your corner, and with your faith, you can do anything 100%. I really think sometimes we can go through things that challenge us, but they’re more necessity—like necessity through the military and your service, necessity in being a mother and committing to being present as a mother. Competing puts us in a position where we get to choose to exemplify the strength of discipline, commitment, personal growth, and development. That requires reflection, humility, and faith, especially when you commit to competing after having doubted yourself for so long.
Do you have a ritual before going onstage?
I love this question because I do the same thing that I do for every show. One of the things I used to do the night before a show is write myself a letter. I just write down everything I went through in the prep and remind myself about how deserving I am to be able to get to do this, and I read it right before I pump up and read it like three times; it just puts me in a great headspace. It preps me before every show, and I love it because it just hypes me up. I would also take some shots before I get on stage because I was so nervous, I had like severe stage fright, which was actually one of the reasons I wanted to start competing. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, challenge myself, and see if I could do something like this. But I got scared and had to drink alcohol before I got onstage. I would do it just to give me that liquid courage for six amateur shows. This year, when I did my two pro shows, I didn’t drink! And I’ve never felt more in control, more in my element, and just more present these last two pro shows, and I believe that it’s because I didn’t drink alcohol before I got on stage! I’m just so proud of myself, and I think the most rewarding feeling is that I didn’t need those shots before getting onstage.
How has your lifestyle changed?
Three years ago, I didn’t own a two-piece bathing suit. I covered up because I wasn’t comfortable with my body. Fast food was my diet, three times a day, for almost my entire adult life. Now, I nourish my body properly. I still enjoy the occasional fries, but I avoid unhealthy foods. It’s interesting how we don’t know how bad we feel doing something until we stop doing it. With a healthy lifestyle, you realize that maybe this is really how I’m supposed to feel. Energized and not lethargic. It’s wild how food fuels your body and how some food can do the complete opposite, drain you. Now, my son is eating my meal preps with me, and he’s super conscious about it, so I love that.
Was everyone supportive?
My conservative family struggled to understand why I needed to pose onstage in a bikini. Over time, they saw bodybuilding as a real sport. Sponsorships like a meal prep company have also been a huge help. I kept asking for support until I got my Pro Card, and that persistence paid off. Waking up every day with peace and gratitude has helped me stay positive and on track. Many people nurtured and guided me, now it’s my turn to inspire and support others.
