And just like the glitter and glam of the city attracts the biggest stars, it may also be the place where the Waide sisters become stars of their own. With their sights set high, but with the work ethic to achieve what they envision, the road seems to be full of opportunity for them both.

They both are so focused that they have the same goal.

"Our goal in the sport of fitness is to become the pioneers of bringing fitness mainstream so that fitness competitors have the same opportunities for recognition and endorsements that other female athletes receive.

"Our other goals would be to continue to improve, become pro competitors, and compete at the (Fitness) Olympia. We also want to use fitness as a stepping stone for future opportunities," they add.

Their drive could help change the fitness industry and make it an arena of opportunity for many women in the future as the sport is still quite young.

"I started weight training with the University of Tennessee Dance Team as part of our program, but nothing serious. I watched fitness competitions on TV and realized that I was capable of doing them. Once I moved to Vegas, I hired a trainer and began preparing for competition," Lea states.

Adds sister Sara, "I originally began training as part of my rehab program for a dance-related knee injury. I continued training for the enjoyment and as a stress release from running a dance studio full-time and college full-time. After I moved to Vegas with my sister, I saw what she was accomplishing with her trainer. I realized that if she could hire a trainer and compete, so could I."

"I would like to turn pro, establish myself and my reputation as an elite athlete - become a superstar!"
- Lea Waide

"I would like to turn pro this year, establish myself and my reputation as an elite athlete. Of course I would not mind being a superstar either. However, I would be just as happy taking full advantage of whatever opportunities are presented to me and making the most of each and everyone of them!"
- Sara Waide

To compete at the National level can be a year long endeavor, and both Sara and Lea stay active even in the offseason.

"In the off-season, I hike and snowshoe in the back country for two to three days, 20-40 miles each trip. My weight-training regimen is just as intense in the off-season as the competition season," states Lea.

Sara adds "During the off-season, my cardio regimen is lighter. My schedule is 1 - 1½ hours of cardio 5-6 days a week instead of 3 hours a day 6-7 days a week. Like Lea, my weight-training regimen is just as intense in the off-season as the competition season. The off-season is a great time to work on strengthening current fitness skills and develop new ones. This is also when I work on improving my dance technique and style.

"Our training philosophy is short and intense. We combine heavy and light weight, often times drop-setting to complete muscle failure."

Some of that can be attributed to their youth, where even then they were strong kids.

"We can go places and we don't have to worry about anyone messing with us - most people are scared or intimidated especially when we're together. As dancers, we are less prone to injury and have better stamina and strength than dancers who do not workout.

And that translates to some heavy lifting in the gym. For Lea that might include "drop sets on hack squats starting out with 720 lbs and taking off 1-2 plates on each drop set (about 8) until I am only using the bar. With heavier weight my rep range is 5-7 and at about 310 lbs. and lighter I am doing about 20-50 reps each drop set."

Not to be outdone, Sara uses the "incline chest press machine starting out with the full stack with 8 reps, then dropping the weight by 10 lbs. for 10-12 reps, and continuing drop setting by 10-20 pound increments with 15-20 reps until muscle failure."

Pretty intense stuff for two amazingly charming women, but it is indicative of the drive and determination they have to reach their goals. Of course although they have each other to support and focus themselves with, they also have an incredibly supportive family that flies everywhere to see them compete whenever possible.

That also extends to other women who are usually very interested and ask them questions about working out. They notice that women in general respect other women who take care of their bodies and they seem to enjoy seeing females that are beautiful and fit, not waif thin.

Unfortunately, men on the other hand, are usually intimidated.

"It is as though it hurts their egos that we have better abs or biceps that they do. Most men won't approach us or will say something rude or childish in passing," they add. Unfortunate but still true of many insecure males, but the Waides don't let that discourage them in any way.

Of course as multi-tasking talented as they are, it comes as no surprise that they have even more going on. A couple years ago, Lea started her own event planning and management company called Felicitous Affairs, while Sara currently runs a personal training, talent and modeling agency. She also founded a dance company, Southern Style Dance Company that was recognized for its national award-winning dancers and her choreography has earned national awards and recognition. Currently both are touring internationally as dance judges and master class instructors.

Of course those are some of the defining characteristics of the two, but in their own words, "I have been shooting for the stars for as long as I can remember and the possibility of not reaching my dreams has never even been a thought that I have entertained. Most people falter along their paths, they give up or lose the motivation and self-confidence needed to reach their dreams. I know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to," Lea says.

"What makes me different? I remember being 11 years-old, sitting in school one day and deciding that I was going to be dancer. It wasn't something that I told anyone about. I just decided that was what I wanted to do. From that point on, I have never faltered or questioned my dream. I lived and breathed dancing. It wasn't always easy, but I don't regret single moment or experience good or bad. While I love being in dance class and pushing my body to and beyond its limits, performing is the greatest joy of my life," says Sara.

And as time has gone by, Sara and Lea have realized how much the constant support of their family has enabled them to reach for their dreams.

"Whatever we decide to undertake no matter how difficult or improbable, our parents always say, 'Well, if that's what you want to do and it will make you happy, we'll support you.' We know that our success has been because of their belief in our dreams and us."