Rebecca Lyons is a two time winner in bodybuilding as a first-timer for the PCA, and the RIBBF Irish Nationals 2024. A student of Moyne Community School, she is currently in Wroclaw University of Environment and Life Sciences in Poland, and is expected to graduate in 2026. She was part of Longford Pony Club in her teens, winning The Overall 2018 Ganly’s Longford Sports Star of the Year award with three other girls.
Having previously been an avid horse rider, Rebecca explored bodybuilding during her college tenure. Influenced by social media, she gave it a go herself, which later became an opportunity for her to participate in two championships. With this being a unique journey, Longford’s Rebecca came to chat about it thoroughly with the ‘Longford Leader’, as she considers bodybuilding to be both a sport but also an aesthetic project.
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Where in Longford are you from?
So, I’m just outside Longford town where Slashers is, in Garvagh. I used to live in Melview where I mainly grew up. Then I moved into this house just before Covid.
What do you do now as a career?
I’m actually going into my last year of Veterinary medicine in Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland. I started in 2020 and all going well I graduate in April 2026.
I pretty much got into the gym in the fall of my first year of college. I never imagined that I would do bodybuilding at the time. The gym was always an outlet. College is stressful, trying to study and balance everything. It was nice to have a place to go and burn negative energy out. My passion for building muscle grew and I got more into it as a lifestyle and wanted to see how far I could go. When I reached third l year, I decided to go for it and looked into what I needed to do. It became a big topic on social media, especially getting more into the gym. I was influenced by other people from seeing what they could do. I looked for a coach, estimated ahead with cost, planned how much I would have to do, whether I had enough condition and how long of a prep it would take, as well as being in college with studying. I said when I get to my fourth year, that’s the year I was going to do it. I’m currently not doing it at the moment. I’m focusing more on college as I’m in my final year.
How did you explore the professional world of bodybuilding?
Deciding what shows and which federation (RIBBF) I joined was due to my coach’s advice. I started my prep in January and the first show I was supposed to do was the first week of June. Usually preps take 20-24 weeks depending on how much muscle you have and fat percentage you need to lose. Prep was going great but just three weeks before the show, they cancelled it due to low numbers. There were a lot of ups and downs. When it was cancelled, would I give up? Coach and I decided to plan two shows for later in the year. I did my first show in September with the PCA federation.
How was the experience?
For the PCA, I did a first-timer’s class. There are different divisions within women’s bodybuilding. I competed in the bikini division. I did first-timer’s because it was my first show. There were three people in my class. I won that first-timer’s show. The plan was to feel less anxious and get used to being on stage for show day, so to get a first in a category was so overwhelming. First place of each bikini class gets put forward for the overalls at the end. I placed 3rd out of 6. I was beyond happy with that. The women on stage were unreal and so well-conditioned. To be on stage with them was enough for me on the day and so much experience for next time. The RIBBF nationals, I did first-timer’s again as it was in a different federation. I came in first place. I competed in the height category and I came first in that one also. And then, similarly, they do an overalls. There was only me and another; one girl had left. She was in insane condition as well. I didn’t win the overall but I was so happy with how the day went it didn’t matter to me.
Would you consider this interest to be both a sport and an art, as there is a certain look?
It’s a very aesthetic type of sport. It’s very personal as it’s not a team sport like playing football. You’re working hard on yourself to fit the criteria on the day according to judges. There can be up to 7 or 8 judges across the table. That’s what I really like about it. All the hard work is for yourself. It’s the project you’ve made to show to display. It’s not a team. It’s all for you. I got to build confidence and build myself up. Some days, you’re so exhausted. Sometimes, a cheeky sweet treat is calling your name but if you want to make it on the stage, you’ve got to keep pushing through. It’s all on you. You can have a coach and be given schedules and protocols but you’re the one to follow it through. I wasn’t a confident person growing up. I had a lot of insecurities especially with body image. I think that’s how I found myself loving the gym. It showed me what I could do and how strong I could be. It made me appreciate myself. Prep was a very physical, mental and emotional journey for me. Having family and friends support and a great coach is absolutely essential in a bodybuilding prep. I learnt strength and resilience throughout so that would be why I love and respect the sport so much.
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Were there any unexpected benefits beyond just the physical that you found?
Definitely, confidence. I was a very introverted person growing up and I always had body insecurities. In my mind, I had to fit this certain look for everyone. So, it was quite hard for me to deal with that. When I found the gym, I got to love what I was doing. I got more comfortable in my own body. Even now, I’m not in the condition I was for the stage, but I’ve learned to appreciate myself way more than I did before the journey. I think some people get the wrong representation of women in the gym. If women hold weights, they’ll become more bulky and masculine, which in my opinion definitely isn’t the case. With bodybuilding, it’s something that takes time, it’s a long process. A lot goes into it emotionally and mentally not just physically.
Would you have any advice for Longford girls who may want to explore bodybuilding but are potentially shy to give it a go?
I think if anyone is considering it, you should contact coaches. They will give you a straight-up answer about potential and future plans. My coach was so supportive and anytime I was feeling unmotivated or thinking I’m not going to be ready or good enough, he encouraged me. Get in contact with a good coach with reviews, or go to a gym to ask.
That’s the important part of prep, to have a good support system. To have friends and family. My family is small but the support was great especially from my mum, financially and emotionally. My friends were brilliant and understood if I couldn’t go somewhere or I didn’t feel great. Lastly, at the end of the day, take a chance.
There wasn’t a moment on the stage where I wasn’t smiling. It made the whole of prep worth it. To be completely confident and take the opportunity. If my younger self was told I’d do this, I wouldn’t have believed her. If someone is thinking of it, just try. You can always do a practice prep to see if it’s for you. I think it’s always better to say you gave it a go instead of I wish I did.
