It started as a way to get into shape but blossomed into something much larger.

Taking part in her first bodybuilding competition earlier this month in Kelowna, 91原创鈥檚 LeeAnn Harper captured top spot in both the junior (U21) bodybuilding division and in the open division at the B.C. Amateur Bodybuilding Association鈥檚 Western Canadian championships.

It was held on May 19 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

鈥淚 love the adrenaline, it is the most amazing feeling,鈥� Harper described of being on stage, flexing her muscles and holding her poses.

鈥淚t is very nerve-wracking and you do have a lot of fear.

鈥淏ut you really enjoy that fearful part because you know that you are never going to feel that again, it is only in that moment.鈥�

The competition judges contestants based on their physique, figure and fitness.

The 20-year-old Harper began taking her exercising and fitness seriously about three or four years ago.

She started with weights, doing power lifting and Olympic lifting, and eventually got into CrossFit training.

Harper trained at CrossFit 91原创, which she now helps run, with Darren Clarke.

鈥淚 got into training here and really loved it,鈥� she said, calling Clarke a great motivator.

Harper, who stands five-foot-two and weighs about 110 pounds, also described CrossFit 鈥� which is a series of varied movements 鈥� as very addictive.

With an eye on getting into bodybuilding competitions, Harper began working with Team Fit Body in Surrey, under trainer Dawn Alison and Alison鈥檚 husband Brandon Best, in December.

鈥淚 told her when I first met her, she could be a Canadian national junior women鈥檚 bodybuilding champion this year if she sets her mind to it,鈥� Alison said.

鈥淪he can go as far as she wants to. She has already shown me that she has the drive, determination, work ethic and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to excel in this sport, which will transcend to anything she wants to do in life.鈥�

Harper said she was confident heading into the competition, mainly because of her experience as a weightlifter.

With Western Canadians out of the way, there has been little time to relax or rest on her laurels as Harper is busy preparing for the next challenge: the B.C. provincial championships, which will be held in New Westminster on June 30.

A strong showing at that event would help Harper qualify for this year鈥檚 national championships in Edmonton.

Alison, also a competitive bodybuilder and former powerlifting champion, sees a lot of herself in Harper.

鈥淪he reminds me a lot of myself at that age,鈥� she said.

鈥淪he鈥檚 very tenacious, a great student.

鈥淪he鈥檚 like a sponge: you tell her what to do and she does it.鈥�

Alison is impressed by her student鈥檚 make-up.

鈥淥ne of the things that impresses me about LeeAnn that I have seen in very few women of her age, or any age for that matter, is most want to look good,鈥� Alison said.

鈥淏ut most are not willing to do what it takes to get it (done).

鈥淲ith LeeAnn, you tell her what to do and it鈥檚 done.鈥�

As for Harper鈥檚 long-term goals, she just wants to continue spreading the word about the importance of fitness.

Whether she has a competition or not, she works out a minimum of two hours a day with weights and cardio.

鈥淚t is just part of me,鈥� she says about working out.

鈥淢y goal is to influence as many people to get into the best shape that the can and be the best that they can be with their health.鈥�

She also has her own website, www.leeannharper.com where she offers fitness and coaching tips and the website for her work is www.crossfitlangley.com.