"I started working out during my college years to tone and define my legs. At that time, I had no interest in competitive bodybuilding - I was never the athletic type! However, I loved the way my body responded to the weight training.

"After one year of working out, some friends talked me into entering a state level competition just for fun, and I placed third. I fell in love with the sport immediately realizing that I had found my passion," Tucker adds.

Inspired by Sheryl Stewart, the former South Carolina NPC women's rep, Tucker was encouraged and helped by Stewart and her husband.

Under their tutelage, Tucker rapidly acheived many of her goals, and continues to do so.

"I guess you could say that I keep raising the bar. At first, my goal was to win a South Carolina state title - I did that in 1996. After having a baby in 1999, my goal was to make it back to the bodybuilding stage. I surpassed this goal in 2001 by coming in in the best shape of my life and winning the overall at the Mountaineer in North Carolina, which was a national qualifier. I then set goals to compete on the national level, become a South Carolina judge and promote my own show. I accomplished all three in 2002," Tucker adds with pride.

Her next goal is to place in the top five in a national level competition, and based on the package she currently has, it should definitely be another reachable goal. Tucker likes to stick with heavy basics in her off-season training with lots of power lifting and very little cardio to put on more mass and fine tune her physique. At 5'3", she competes at 125-130 lbs. and goes up to 145-150 lbs. during the offseason.

Some of the lifts she does includes bench presses with 210 lbs. and squats and deadlifts with 315 lbs.

"Being strong has lots of advantages. You don't have to ask for help moving furniture and equipment. You have confidence that you could defend yourself if you had to, and let's face it, people respect strength!"

Of course being a strong confident woman wasn't what Tucker was her whole life.

"I was a very prissy, petite girl growing up - not athletic at all. Old friends and family can't believe that I've done what I've done with my body. I'm still feminine, even with muscle and I usually get favorable reactions from both males and females."

It's not hard to see why either as anyone who's seen Tucker in person can attest to.

However, she stays focused on her goals, and never lets herself stray too far from them. "I'm not a health nut, nor am I a stick in the mud. I do like to enjoy my life, and I will go out to clubs with friends and I will drink socially on occasion. However, I do shy away from all social gatherings when I'm focused on a competitive goal.

"I like to spend time at the beach relaxing. My family has a house there, so I go there often. I love sci/fi horror movies and books, and I love listening to jazz. I'm a very family-oriented person, so I always make time for my little girl and the other loved ones in my life," Tucker adds.

And for now that is enough. Tucker is taking some time off and in her own words: "I have no contest plans. As far as next year is concerned, I'm undecided."

While she may be laying low, it won't be for too long, and when she resurfaces, be sure to look at the top of the scoresheets, because that's most likely where the name Tami Tucker will be.