Anna Watson, University Of Georgia Cheerleader, Athens, Georgia, United States

She tried bulking up, but only gained ten pounds in four weeks, according to student newspaper. That’s where the crash diet came in. She always ate though she was never hungry. At her strongest, she could bench press 155 pounds, and squat 255, but still, she could not match the picture of the woman who took steroids. She said that the modelling company told her several times that she was just a business venture. ‘They even told me that several times, “We just want to get you started so we can make money off of you,” and I’m like, “I understand that, but I am a person.”’
Finally, Ms Watson, a member of a local Georgia church, decided to consult Hugh Kirby, a former national power lifting champion and member of her home church. 'I think it’s really important to stay grounded and know who you are and knowing that shaping your bicep is not going to shape your personality.'
He advised her against it. She also wondered what the effects of steroids would have on her body long-term, especially when she wanted to have children. ‘I know that my identity is not in working out,’ Ms Watson told. ‘My life is not all about exercise and working out. I think it’s really important to stay grounded and know who you are and knowing that shaping your bicep is not going to shape your personality.’ She gave up her potential modelling contract with Elite Models and stopped obsessing about her weight and bulking up.