::Lisa Lee @ M U S C L E P o l y n e s i a ::

last updated:
Tuesday, 8-apr-08

Lisa Lee was born June 1, 1966 in Long Beach, CA, as a “hapa” (half Hawaiian, half Caucasian). Both her parents had amazing physiques. Her mother Cindy (Caucasian) was tall with an athletic, yet slender build. She ran track, and surfed as a young woman. Her father Arthur Kauwe was blessed with a naturally lean, muscular build that he maintained through martial arts training. His physique was so impressive that he was once spotted on a beach and asked to play the leading role in a movie called “Tico And The Shark.”
Lisa had great natural attributes to work with, yet never reached her full potential until 2004. You see, Lisa stands 5’10” and always had a complex about being too tall and looking too large and intimidating. So she parlayed her height into a successful career in modeling which helped keep her weight in check, but didn’t really do much to enhance heroverall physique. Secretly Lisa had an overwhelming urge to transform her tall yet slender frame into something much more, but her complex of becoming too large continued to haunt her until she reached age 39.
For some reason this secret urge to change consumed her, and the fear of getting too large eventually became a non-issue. She wanted more, but how much more? At 39, a size 10/11 at 160 lbs., and a former model, Lisa felt she had no real pizzazz! But deep down inside she knew she had the faith to overcome those obstacles that were preventing her from making this much wanted transformation. Not long after her 39th birthday she decided to attend her first Bodybuilding and Figure competition. As the figure competitors took the stage a bell went off in her head. This was it - this was what she wanted to do, become a competitor. Now most observers would have thought she had a screw loose for deciding to take on such a grueling challenge at 39, but she felt she had to give it a try. She was so determined in her heart to do this that she began preparing for a competition that was only three months away. Her trainer wasn’t so sure she would be able to do it, but agreed that within two weeks of the competition they would see how she looked and make a final decision then whether to go through with it.
	Together they began to reshape Lisa’s figure, taking it from a size 10/11 to a size 6, but her weight stayed the same at 160 lbs. Soon, Lisa began to develop full, rounded shoulders, and muscles she never knew she had. She demonstrated true dedication and commitment, and was determined to make the competition.
When the time came to decide whether to go forward with the competition or not, there was no doubt she was ready to compete. She had made it happen!
When Lisa took the stage for the first time in her life, she placed 3rd in the Tall Class, and 4th in Masters for 35 and over! She even did well enough to qualify for the Nationals. This was the beginning of a new and exciting life and journey for Lisa Lee. Training with weights had made some amazing changes in her physique and her state of mind. She never knew how empowering weight training could be, and how devoted she would become, but she was about to find out. She entered her next competition in December 2004 and placed even higher than before! Now she was ready to step up her efforts and try to earn her pro card in 2005. She was doing incredibly well in such a short period of time, and with momentum on her side, that it seemed it was only a matter of time before she would turn pro. Then disaster struck. New Year’s Eve, Lisa fractured her right arm, ending up in an emergency room facing mandatory surgery. After the surgery she became the proud owner of a shiny new metal rod and two pins that were needed to hold the foundation of her chiseled arm together. Of course Lisa was devastated at first, and feared that all the gains she had made were now ruined. But it wasn’t long before her drive to reach her goal, and her will to conquer this unexpected setback became a near obsession. She didn’t ask her doctor whether she would be o.k. The only question she asked was, “When can I start training again?” Fortunately, she was given the go-ahead after only eight weeks. It was the most difficult time for her because the pain was intense and she felt no strength, but knew she had to restore her strength and the power to compete. Once again Lisa would triumph. Her will to return to the sport and compete overruled the pain and any notion of giving up. She pushed herself and again landed back in the competition spotlight. Now back on track, Lisa has competed twice since then and is preparing for a third competition. Lisa admits weight training has changed her life forever. It gave her the inner strength to push herself even when it hurts, and it gave her something to work towards. Even when she finishes competing, weight training will continue to be a part of her life. It has made her more self-confident, and has given her strength both inside and out. She finds herself less stressed now, and she has a more positive outlook on life. It has also kept her feeling and looking more youthful. She says she feels great and believes she looks better now than she ever did in her 20’s and 30’s. Lisa has taken on the ultimate challenge against the aging process and has defied it. “Staying fit is our best defense against aging,” says Lisa Lee. She only hopes that through her example more women with the same desire will get out there and start training. Anyone can achieve his or her own fitness goals with the dedication,commitment and determination to succeed. She is living proof that with the right training and will to change, anything is possible. 2006 looks to be even more incredible for Lisa, as she recently shared, “The advantage of being older is knowing how to succeed, and how to stay there. But I know I wouldn’t be doing this well in life without faith, and the love and support of those around me. I’m truly blessed, and I am thankful everyday for the opportunities I’ve been given, and for those opportunities yet to come.” MP

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