by Gene X Hwang
genex@genex9.com

At first glance, it would be hard to believe that Monica Chang is a stay-at-home mother of two, but the devoted mother and fitness competitor is full of surprises.

At 5'6" and 122 lbs. when she's not on stage competing, Chang has already accomplished quite a bit and considering her busy family life, leads quite an impressive living that looks to only get busier and more exciting.

However her path was not always an easy one.

"My older brother bought a weight bench and some barbells when I was 13 years-old. I copied everything he did in his workouts and ran three miles a day even during the winter months in Iowa. I picked up a weightlifting book (Rachel McLish's). I thought she looked incredible on that book cover and I wanted to look like her. I tried using the weight room at my high school but was voted out of there by the football coach - the guys didn't want me in there. They didn't have a weight room available to girls at that time. Off and on I would train, but didn't have the support and let it go when I was 18. I felt embarrassed because I received a lot of flack for wanting a muscular look so I dropped any ideas of competing."

Of course one look at her now, and you can tell that she didn't stay discouraged. Sporting a sleek, muscular physique, Chang definitely gets double takes, from some high school boys even now, nearly 20 years later.

"I went to the mall recently and a group of teenagers yelled out (at me) and I felt like scolding them and saying 'Young man do you realize I'm old enough to be your mother, how would you like people yelling at your mother?' So yeah, it makes me feel like I've still got it," she adds with a wry smile.

Women also come up to her, often with a barrage of questions on how she got in shape.

"One of my goals in fitness was to become an inspiration to others so that they may reach their own fitness goals with some support. The fact I have children - a lot of women relate to me through their own struggles with fitness and family."

Chang has already acheived several of her goals and has graced the cover of Muscle and Fitness Hers in the April/May 2002 issue. Her other goal was to represent a sports supplement company and she is on board with Pinnacle and makes appearances for the company.

Competing though, is also important to Chang, and since aspiring to build up a muscular body, she continues to train hard.

"I feel I have always been competitive and wanted that hardbody look and the most exciting part is that at my age I can compete; there are no stipulations on age in the sport. I've never been the pageant beauty queen type nor the rough and tough 'tough-as-nails' type either but I find this (fitness) to be a perfect blend of the two. It's beauty and brawn wrapped up in one. I love it!"

As far as goals are concerned, Chang wants to take it as far as the Fitness Olympia.

"I may never win the Olympia but I just want to compete in it. My strength is my physique, but it will take me a good year or two to bring my routine in strong. I need that time to make my improvements as I have no gymnastics, dance or any other (tumbling) background unfortunately."

So far that hasn't hampered her competitive endeavors though, having won or placed in the top five in all of her competitions. Much of that can also be attributed to her hard work in the gym.

"I have no off-season. My training stays consistent: 4-days weights, 4-days sprints, 2-days routine. To add muscle I am training heavy with a spotter. I love to train heavy," she adds.

That all testifies to Chang's focus. She plans on competing at the NPC Nationals in Dallas in November and also has more long-term goals in mind including some work in China.

"I have connections in China to a chain of fitness gyms all across China and will be working with them to bring their fitness gyms up-to-date with America. That's what they are asking for now. I have been in the Screen Actors Union for over 10 years and I have plans to do action films there as well. In addition, I have plans to raise money to offer programs to low-income women with children to a fun weekend fitness camp to learn how to eat right and stay active in reaching their fitness goals."

While it may sound ambitious, you have to take a look at what Chang has been able to manage so far with her family and kids. When asked how hard it is to juggle the family, train and prepare for competitions, she quickly replies with a "nearly impossible!"

"I'm a stay home mom and would have it no other way. If I could I would train six to eight hours a day. That's not realistic so I get two hours a day to devote to fitness. I feel lucky with that and I have great support from my extended family!"

As her family grows and she continues to focus on her fitness career, Chang has a promising future, and if her plans in China pan out, she may be the fitness competitor with the biggest fan club in the world. Of course it's all possible because of her determination, and as she says herself, "Live as if there is no tomorrow, give your all today!!"

Note: Monica Chang can be contacted via email and has her own website at http://www.monicachang.com