09/01/2026
When they called my number as the winner of my class (Open A), I felt a whirlwind of mixed emotions. I knew I worked my butt off and believed I had a fighting chance of winning, but “is this really happening right now?”
I looked at my coach in the crowd and saw him saying a variation of “that’s you, you did it!” Tears swelled in my eyes as I walked to center stage to claim my 1st place title.
Everything felt like it was moving at 100 mph but simultaneously in slow motion.
Still trying to process the win, I almost walked off stage. But I wasn’t done just yet.
It was now the showdown for the overall title.
I collected myself.
“Remember everything you learned.
Take your time and own it.
This is it.
Focus on you and you only.”
We ended the showdown with our front pose.
While smiling at the judges and waiting for the results, I felt my heart beating louder than the background music.
That same overwhelming feeling overcame me.
“And your Women’s Wellness Overall Champion is… number 135 - Phua Xiong!”
I WON the Overall Wellness title and earned my NPC national qualification!!!
What began as a challenge to get into the best shape of my life became something much bigger than I ever imagined.
My journey in bodybuilding began as a form of self-discovery. Somewhere along the way, it became a journey of self-actualization — of discovering what I’m capable of, what I’m willing to sacrifice for, and who I’m becoming.
And now, it has evolved into something even bigger:
A desire to carve a place in history for Hmong women on the Wellness bodybuilding stage.
This win is not just a title to me.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, when you dare to step into a space where you don’t see many people who look like you, you can become the person who makes that space a little bigger for everyone who comes after you.
