In early May, Klaipėda, Lithuania hosted the 59th European Bodybuilding and Fitness Championship Amber Prix International and the 27th AM-PRO Universe European Championship. Among the participants were our Holm Bank Latvia colleagues from the HelpDesk team, Ilva Luzere and Diāna Vaickus.
More than 200 athletes from 11 countries competed in various bodybuilding and fitness disciplines. Diāna took part in three Bikini Fitness categories, while Ilva competed in four categories: Bikini Fitness and Figure Classic. Despite strong competition, including athletes with significant international experience, our colleagues represented Latvia and their Ādaži sports club with pride, bringing home four trophies: one gold and three silver medals. This competition was especially meaningful for Diāna, as it was her very first time competing in this sport.
Why Fitness?
When asked how they found their way into the world of fitness, Ilva admits that it happened completely unexpectedly, after she injured both knees while hiking in the mountains of Georgia. “After the injury, I started going to physiotherapy, and that was where I was encouraged to give it a try. That’s how I ended up at a gym with professional trainers and went from being a mountain hiker to a fitness athlete,” she says. Ilva also notes that mountain hiking had already given her strong physical endurance and mental resilience, both of which proved valuable when working toward new goals.
For Diāna, sport had always been part of her life. However, it was after starting work at Holm that she realised she needed to move more after work. Ilva’s example became the motivation she needed to take the next step. “Seeing Ilva’s achievements last season made me realise that I wanted to develop myself in this direction too. I signed up with her trainer, and already in the first session I was encouraged to start preparing for competitions,” Diāna recalls. She also honestly admits that, at first, she was not at all sure of herself.
Discipline That Builds Character
The road to preparing for the championship was far from easy. It required several months of intense work. Ilva explains that during the competition period, training intensity can increase to as many as five or six sessions per week. At the same time, Ilva is quick to add: “The biggest part of building a perfect physique actually happens in the kitchen. Many people don’t realise that a well-shaped body starts with proper, carefully planned nutrition.”
For Diāna, the process was especially challenging because everything was completely new. “There were even weeks with eight or nine training sessions. I had to fight with myself even when it felt like I had no energy left,” she says, adding that the hardest part was maintaining discipline with her diet and avoiding sweets while preparing for the competition.
Both colleagues say that one of the most difficult parts of this sport is posing on stage. “From the outside, it looks easy, but in reality it’s a whole choreography. You have to show your muscles, remain elegant and keep smiling, all while your legs are cramping,” Ilva laughs.
Sport or Work? Or Both?
When asked how they managed to combine the almost professional workload of an athlete, including a truly intensive training routine, with a full-time job at a financial company, both admit that it was not easy. “On workdays, my training sessions are straight after work. Sometimes, in the final minutes of the working day, I’ve already been working in my sports clothes so I wouldn’t lose time and could head straight to the gym,” Ilva says, describing the challenge of balancing training, work and time management.
Diāna sums up that period simply: “I no longer had everyday life. There was only work and training.” She also admits that preparing meals to take to the office took up a lot of time. Still, both women greatly appreciate the support they received from colleagues and management while preparing for the competition. “Our colleagues believed in us more than we believed in ourselves. We have a fantastic team,” Diāna says.
What Sport Can Teach You in Professional Life
Both Ilva and Diāna are convinced that sport also helps at work. “Discipline, patience and responsibility are important. In both sport and work, results don’t happen in a single day,” says Diāna. She adds that sport not only teaches resilience under stress, but in her case has even improved her energy levels. Ilva adds: “In both areas, there is a goal, and there is also the path that leads you to that goal.”
The Brightest Moments
Looking back at the competition and the emotions it brought, Ilva says the most memorable moment was receiving the gold medal. “It was proof that the work I had put in had been awarded” she says. For Diāna, the most unforgettable moment was stepping onto the stage for the first time. “In that exact moment, I told myself: you have done it. I realised how much work and strength it had taken to get there. The emotions and pride were indescribable.”
The Courage to Believe In Yourself
When asked what advice they would give to others who are still only dreaming, but have not yet found the courage to turn those dreams into reality, both colleagues offer a simple message. Ilva recommends believing in your own abilities and continuing to move forward. Diāna encourages people not to be afraid and to take action, even if the goal seems impossible at first. Both women already know how they will spend their summer: preparing for the autumn competition season. We will be following Ilva and Diāna’s achievements with great excitement.