Share Your Story. Inspire Someone Else to Rise.

This Is Bigger Than the Stage

Every athlete who steps on stage has a story. Not just discipline and training… But of growth. Struggle. Resilience. Becoming. The Fit Show Story Project was created to give those stories a voice. Because behind every physique is a woman who had to overcome something to become who she is today.

In 2020, we started the Fit Show Story Project with one mission:

To share real stories of overcoming — so that other women can find hope, confidence, and strength in their own journey.

This sport is about more than how you look. It’s about:

Who you become in the process
What you push through when no one is watching
And the strength you discover along the way

Your story matters — and it deserves to be heard.

Two women on stage at a bodybuilding competition, one in a blue bikini holding a trophy, and the other in a black outfit, both smiling.

The Overcomer Award

Each year, one athlete is selected to receive the Whitney Wiser Overcomer Award. This award is not about being the leanest, strongest, most polished, or even who has overcome “the most” per say. It’s something that honors something deeper:

✨ The courage & strength to keep going
✨ The resilience to overcome adversity
✨ The willingness to grow through challenges
✨ The decision to rise and keep showing up — again and again — despite

Because true strength isn’t just built physically. It’s revealed through resilience & daily choices and actions.

This Is Your Invitation

If you’re competing in this year’s NPC/IFBB Nashville Fit Show, we invite you to share your story. Not because it has to be the perfect story of overcoming adversity, but because it’s real.

Your story might be the exact thing someone else needs to hear in order to keep going.

*At this time, the Overcomer Award is reserved for amateur NPC athletes only.

Submit Here after May 1

2026 Winner - Brandy Robinson

A Note From Whitney

When I read these stories each year, I’m reminded that this community is built on so much more than a competition.

It’s built on courage, growth, and women choosing to become stronger — in every sense of the word. No matter where you are in your journey, I want you to know:

You are already an OVERCOMER!

You can read even more about the start of this project and why it exists on our BLOG page HERE

Prompting Questions

These questions are to use as a guide. They are also optional. You can answer them OR write your story in your own way however you see fit to submit.

✨ Ready to Share Your Story?

ENTRY PROCESS OPENS ON MAY 1st! Anything submitted before this date will not be entered.

Round 1 Submission Deadline: July 27, 2026

Share Your Story Here

Round 2 - Video Entry for Top 7-10 Finalists Deadline: Aug 3

Round 3 - Top 3-5 Interview with Whitney Wiser

**Detailed instructions will be sent to finalists for Rounds 2 & 3 of entry process.

A woman in a bikini receiving an award on stage from another woman in a black outfit during a bodybuilding competition.

Two women on stage at a fitness competition, with one woman in a bright blue bikini holding a bouquet of flowers and the other woman holding a microphone, standing near a sign that reads 'Nashville Fit' and '2020 NPC'.

The First Award Winner in 2020 - Brittany Weddington

FINAL REMINDER: There is no “perfect” story — only a real one. And yours matters more than you think.

See the 4 Finalists stories of overcoming HERE on Nashville Fit Magazine.

Past Years Overcomer Award Winners

2021 Winner - Celia Jenkins

Two women on stage at an award ceremony, one handing an award to the other. The woman on the left has blonde hair, wearing a black dress with high slits, and the woman on the right has dark curly hair, wearing a blue bikini and high heels with tattoos on her arms.

2022 Winner - Christina Burke

A smiling woman in a silver bikini with a crown, holding a trophy on stage at the Nashville Fit Show. Two black gym bags are placed on the floor in front of her, one labeled "Nashville Fit Show." The background features a city skyline silhouette with a neon circle and the event name.

2023 Winner - Sydney Raines

Female bodybuilder in green bikini with a crown holding a trophy on stage at a fitness competition.

2024 Winner - Dr. Lauren Yancey

Two women standing on stage at the Nashville Fit Show, with a backdrop displaying the event's name and logos. One woman is in a blue bikini holding an award, and the other is dressed in a purple robe, both smiling.

2025 Winner - Brandy Robinson