The Weight Of Becoming22 Images
“Sparkly and excessive” is the cheatcode of a bodybuilder according to contestant and trainer Neca. With crystal-covered heels, stacked bracelets and layers of tan on glistening muscular bodies, the goal is simple: “We have to shine on stage.” That shine – external and internal – is one overwhelming take away from photographer Lily West’s latest series, The Weight of Becoming, which sees bodybuilders contort their chiselled forms into different poses and positions.
While outwardly, the competition is one of aesthetic and visual dimensions, bodybuilding is a mental sport too, made up of “consistency, determination, sweat, a lot of internal battles, doubts, wins, losses and tears,” as Neca, who has won mulitple competitions and categories, tells us. To achieve, and maintain, a bodybuilder physique requires regimented management of caloric inputs, unwavering confidence and a relentless stamina. “If you… keep pushing through, you learn how to manage your negative thoughts and make the difficult times an opportunity to give yourself credit for what you are doing: following your dreams.”
For Neca, bodybuilding is as much an inner transformation as it is a physical one. “The real beauty for me is the feeling behind it; the happiness, the pride, and the confidence that comes from knowing all the work I’ve put in.” It’s a confidence she has built up over time, dealing with the negative reactions that come with a version of femininity and the female body that we don’t often get to see in mainstream media. “At the beginning, those words hurt me. They made me question myself and what I was doing. But with time, I built confidence and learned to love every part of who I am.”
Below, Neca shares more about her relationship with beauty and bodybuilding.
When did you first start bodybuilding?
Neca: I moved from Italy to London and decided I wanted to do something different with my life. My previous occupation was doing permanent make-up, but sports was always present in my life as a kid. I decided to do a personal training, nutrition and biomechanics course to learn the science behind muscles and what fuels them. I started to work in a private gym when my boss asked me, ‘Have you ever thought about competing?’
At the beginning I didn’t like the physiques that I was finding in my research, but then I found the wellness category. These girls were extremely feminine but had huge muscular lower bodies. That’s how I wanted to look, so I just decided that was my class and started to work to achieve that body.
What interested you about it?
Neca: It wasn’t just about the look, though that obviously played a big part. The main thing was that I wanted to feel like them – confident. The way they were carrying themself on the stage amazed me, feminine, strong, powerful. I wanted that.
What you see on stage is the result of months, years of consistent daily battles to better yourself and to get to know yourself more and more. Bodybuilding is consistency, determination, sweat, a lot of internal battles, doubts, wins, losses and tears. But what no one tells you is that all of this is going to be so useful in your life, because if you can be determined in this sport you learn how to deal with and overcome everyday life struggles too. That’s why I also decided to start something that fills my heart everyday… my own coaching for women that want to be more confident and change their life through fitness.
What is the preparation process before a competition like?
Neca: Usually there is a building phase called ‘offseason’ where you eat in a caloric surplus and build or perfect the body to the standard of your category, then the prep starts. Calories start to slowly drop, cardio increases and you reach a point near the actual show planned where you are literally a walking zombie… food is at the lowest ever so you are really hungry, you are moody, tired and you obviously still have to train, prep every meal, work and perform at your best.
These challenges are mainly mental and they teach you a lot about how you react to things. If you are relentless and focused you keep pushing through, you learn how to manage your negative thoughts and make the difficult times an opportunity to give yourself credit for what you are doing: following your dreams.
How does it feel to win competitions?
Neca: It is a huge personal accomplishment, as when you take that win, you know that all the hard times were worth it and all your work has been recognised. But sometimes you don’t win and it does not mean that you are bad or you’ve done something wrong. Sometimes the judges are just looking for something different or they prefer a different physique. That’s why bodybuilding is so difficult. It’s not who is lifting the most heavy weight or who arrives first in a race. One day you can be first and the next you can be last.
Can you tell us about the make-up and costumes that you do for a show?
Neca: We have to shine on stage! So everything should be sparkly and excessive. For example, your face make-up has to stand out, because we are quite far away from the judges. I do the make-up by myself, with a foundation that matches the tan and sparkly eyeshadow that goes with the bikini colour. It usually takes two hours to get ready with hair and make-up, as I always like to play with different style of extensions, sometimes completely straight, sometimes the ends have curls or even just big waves.
How do you feel when you are in your full competition look?
Neca: I feel the confidence that I was looking for. Mainly because I earned that look and I’m able to showcase all the hard work. It is a difficult feeling to describe because before going on stage I feel a big mix of anxiety and excitement, but every time I look in the mirror, all that shine makes me feel so feminine and powerful!
Do you ever get negative comments about the bodybuilding aesthetic? What would you say to those people?
Neca: Negative comments are so common. ‘You look like a man,’ ‘too muscular,’ ‘not feminine’ – I’ve heard it all. At the beginning, those words hurt me. They made me question myself and what I was doing. But with time, I built confidence and learned to love every part of who I am.
Being different is powerful. I’m proud of the strength I’ve built, both inside and out, and I wouldn’t change it for anyone’s approval. I love what I do, and no comment is ever going to stop me from chasing what makes me feel alive. Those same comments actually built my character. Now, I just laugh.
When do you feel most beautiful?
Neca: When I’m on stage in my sparkly bikini, lean and glowing, that’s when I look my most ‘perfect’. But the real beauty for me is the feeling behind it: the happiness, pride the confidence that comes from knowing the work I’ve put in.
