Lea Beaumont is a IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding) Bikini Pro competitor and soon to be certified personal trainer. Born in Fremont, California Lea’s mother is of Japanese descent and her my father is from Mandeville, Jamaica. Before bodybuilding, Lea played volleyball competitively and attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas where she earned a bachelors degree in marketing. Lea is currently working towards competing at Olympia, the most prestigious bodybuilding competition, and becoming a successful personal trainer. Here is our conversation with Lea Beaumont.
How are you connected to Jamaica?
My dad and his 4 brothers were born and raised in Mandeville, Jamaica. My dad came to the states for college and has been here since but my grandparents continued living in Mandeville until they passed in 2012. My grandfather, Dr. Sydney Beaumont, was well-known in the community. He was the founder and principal of Beaumont Comprehensive College in Mandeville and he was a member of the Parliament for several years.
How do you navigate between your 2 cultures?
I don’t really separate the two. When I was younger, I didn’t see race or color and didn’t even know my parents were different than one another. It wasn’t until I was a little older that people really starting pointing out my ethnicity and asking me about it so although I know that I am two very different races, it just feels like one to me.
How did you get started?
I got started in bodybuilding so randomly! One of my friends was getting married and thought it would be fun if we all worked out together to get in shape for her wedding. We started training with Dan Cross, who is still my trainer now, and he convinced me to compete. I took the stage and never looked back!
What motivates you?
Motivating others to get fit and get healthy motivates me. So many people think that they can’t lose weight, get in shape, or have the body that they wish to have and I love showing people that they can!
How many IFBB bikini competitions have you been in and what is your best finish?
I have done 3 bikini competitions, 2 amateur and 1 pro. I won my height class and the overall at my first competition, the Independence Day Classic, in July 2014 which qualified me for a national show. I then won my height class at Nationals in Miami in November 2014, earning my pro card and thus becoming an IFBB Pro Bikini competitor. I just recently competed in my first pro show, the St. Louis Pro, where I got 9th place.
What is competing like? How do you prepare the week of a competition?
Competing is months (for me about 8 weeks) of nonstop training and dieting all for 30 seconds on stage, but SO worth it! The week of a competition I just really focus on my diet, my stage routine, and my confidence for when I’m on stage.
What’s your weekly exercise routine?
I work out 6-7 days a week for about 1.5-2 hours per day. I do 1520 mins on the stair-master everyday for my cardio and the rest is weight lifting. This is a typical week for me:
Monday: Shoulders and core
Tuesday: Legs and glutes
Wednesday: Biceps and Triceps
Thursday: Back and core
Friday: Legs and glutes
Saturday & Sunday: Any part of my upper body that isn’t sore 🙂
What’s your favorite Jamaican food?
I love patties!
The Jamaican expression I love to hear is…
Irie 🙂
Any advice on staying fit?
EAT CLEAN! You can workout all day everyday but I like to tell people ‘abs are made in the kitchen!” or in other words, your diet is just as important as your workouts.
Learn more about Lea Beaumont on her Facebook and Instagram pages.
