Courage to Compete From Scotland to South Africa, a young girl travels the world, until at the age of 11 she finds a home in Australia. Many years later she starts out on a new adventure, one that takes her onto the figure stage. Written by Sandra Lee Jose Photos by Gary Phillips Gym photos taken at Le Gym, Mentone, Melbourne Looking on, one sees a pretty dark haired lass with a lovely figure, a caring husband and a fixed approach to do her best. But behind those green eyes and big smile lurks pain and affliction. One in five women suffer from what has caused this girl so much pain, endometriosis (pronounced end-oh-mee-tree-oh-sis). It is a very common, misunderstood disease, not often spoken about; it causes chronic pain, treatment includes several intrusive operations, the use of harsh medication and frequently results in infertility and heartache. It can destroy relationships, careers and lives; but millions of women worldwide live with it every day. I’m not over- dramatising as I know from experience. At 20 years of age, Veronica (Ronnie) Steinicke fell in love. One day whilst training at a gym in Mitcham she saw her husband-to-be for the first time. “It was love at first sight for both of us.” Four years later they were married. Over the next 5 years she ballooned from 55 to 73 kilos, until one day Warren said to his wife, “Ronnie you’re fat”. She replied, “No I’m not, it’s muscle.” However, Ronnie knew deep down Warren was telling the truth and it was time to do something about it. In stepped Terry Martinez, well known on the natural bodybuilding stages of Australia. He taught Ronnie about dieting and training, and over the next 12 months she went from a well-rounded 73 kilos to a lean 55 kilos. That year the couple decided to have a baby, but things weren’t working out and ultimately Ronnie was diagnosed with endometriosis. After 3 years and no success Ronnie started on the IVF programme, now this can really test a relationship. At last Ronnie fell pregnant but their baby boy Jeremy Leslie was stillborn. Strange as it may seem; supreme strength can emerge from the deepest of sorrow and success arises from the greatest of failures. “Weight training has provided me with a new sense of purpose and inner strength that had vanished after losing our baby. I am competing in memory of our son Jeremy; he gave me the courage and strength to take on this journey and new challenge, which has given me more than I anticipated and expected. It proved to me that I can do anything I want”. When Ronnie speaks of her husband Warren love shines from her smile, “He is my stability, he is always there, he has been so wonderful, I don’t know what I would have done without him. After we lost our baby everyone asked him “How’s Ronnie doing?”, but no one ever asked him ‘How are you doing?’. They forget he also lost his son. “I always wanted to compete one day. My first inspiration came in 1998 when, whilst training at a gym in Ferntree Gully, I met Vicki Arief who was competing at the time.” So, in 2004 Ronnie stepped onto the IFBB figure stage for the first time. “I am new to this sport and haven’t established any heroes. However, I now recognise that anybody who makes it to the top level needs to have absolute dedication and discipline to make it to that level.” Her path to stepping onstage taught Ronnie a great deal: control, perseverance and confidence in herself, something that she lost for a while but now it has reappeared together with added clout. When I caught up with Ronnie recently she was talking about putting on muscle and training for the IFBB Victorian State titles later this year. The figure competition has found a new contestant. It is great to hear and see the passion in someone new to this sport, for Ronnie didn’t place in her first show but far from discouraging her in any way, it is motivating her on to the next show. “I know now to believe in one’s abilities, by not listening to sceptics, by keeping focused, and not being intimidated by others or getting mixed up in why they are competing, but to compete for yourself and for your own reasons.” I look forward to seeing Ronnie up onstage in October 2004, for her willpower and faith will drive her on to bigger, better and brighter things, not only on the figure stage but personally. M&F For more information regarding Endometriosis, please check out the website www.endometriosis.org.au or phone Victoria 03 9457 2933.

Home