‘It’s just a matter of time,’ says Alexia Ivic, who aspires to win a national competition
Bodybuilding has been described as a combination of sport and an art form.
The Sault’s Alexia Ivic is passionate about it.
“I’ve been in seven competitions. My first was the Sudbury Classic. It’s the closest regional show in the area. That was in 2023 and it lit the spark for me,” Ivic told SooToday.
After her Sudbury Classic debut, Ivic competed in another regional show, the King Kong Classic, in Whitby, Ontario.
“There were 17 girls in my division and I definitely wasn’t sure how I was going to place. I ended up winning my division, which solidified my love for the sport.”
Ivic has now won three Canadian Physique Alliance (CPA) regional competitions.
She has now ascended to national competitions in Toronto and Vancouver and is aiming to get her International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) Pro Card.
She’s justifiably proud about that.
“I know I’ve put in the work and I’ve seen the results, and I’m not doubting myself. Now it’s about winning a Pro Card.”
An IFBB Pro Card is attained by winning at an official national competition.
She credits two well-known local bodybuilders for getting her started on her journey.
“I started by working out in my apartment, and then Holly Lesante took me under her wing and built up my strength and confidence. After that I joined a gym and met Kieran Foley,” Ivic said.
She lifts weights in the gym six days a week.
“You can’t build muscle by giving only half effort. You really have to give everything. I like to train hard.”
Her diet consists of chicken, vegetables, cream of rice, carbs before a workout, egg whites, sourdough bread, Greek yogurt and protein powder.
“I don’t like salads,” she laughed.
Ivic is looking forward to officially opening KO Culture, a two-storey gym she co-owns with husband Kyle Laurin in the 400 block of Pim Street, in January.
“We’re renting out spaces to have other health-care providers in the same building, like registered massage therapists. The location is great,” Ivic said.
KO Culture will have the latest, state-of-the-art equipment, she said.
Ivic will coach others in bodybuilding at her gym, combining that with busy days as an Algoma District School Board elementary school teacher.
“I’m an educator. I know how to teach fractions to children in school. I can also teach you in the gym. I can do a very busy nine-to-five job and still come to the gym in the evenings.”
She said bodybuilding brings a healthy routine and sense of discipline to her life.
“Bodybuilding, beyond the physical, definitely helps me mentally. It boosts endorphins (the body’s natural stress relievers).”
She added that she enjoys a sense of camaraderie with other body builders.
“I like being able to go to shows and connect with like-minded people.”
Confident in her competitive bodybuilding future, she looks forward to winning her IFBB Pro Card.
“I’ve come second three times at nationals and I’ve always placed in the top five when I go to Toronto and Vancouver. It does feel really good and I am definitely competitive.”
“It’s just a matter of time,” Ivic said.
