Women are at the forefront of a bodybuilding revolution

When Christine Harrison pictured turning 45, she knew exactly what she wanted to do to mark the milestone: compete in a bodybuilding competition.

As an avid runner and fitness enthusiast for most of her life, it wasn’t just the physical challenge that sparked her interest, but the idea of setting and achieving a goal. 

“​​I had been incrementally setting a variety of big goals for myself in my 30s, and when I was turning 39 I realized I was missing that,” said Harrison. “I also knew that muscle development before 40 is crucial to keep it as you age, and I had seen some powerful female athlete figures, and I just said, ‘That’s where I want to go.’”

For nine months, she trained diligently, preparing for her first-ever competition.

“Truthfully? I hated it,” Harrison laughed. “I hated the whole thing. I hated how hard it was, I didn’t love how it made people feel around me, I didn’t love how my family felt, and I really didn’t like the show.”

Harrison’s biggest qualm was the treatment of women compared to their male counterparts. Despite women often drawing in more ticket sales and investing more of their own money into the process, she said it wasn’t a welcoming environment. 

“I found the comments from judges over-sexualized, and there was this expectation that women were somehow secondary,” she said. “But while I didn’t love the show, I got hooked on the challenge. I started to fall in love with the routine, the growth, and doing something difficult.”

A new era of competition 

After finding a new coach and trying out different federations, Harrison began competing more and more. And while she came to love the physical aspects of the sport, the actual competition days still weren’t sitting right with her. 

There remained a clear divide in how women were treated at the events, and for Harrison, that became the final straw.

“I kept thinking… would I want my girls to do this? And the answer was no,” she said. 

So she began searching online for women-only federations to compete in. What she found was not only were there none in Ottawa, but there were none in Canada. 

“I thought that was absurd!” she said. “I pretty quickly realized I could change that.”

No stranger to the entrepreneurial journey herself – Harrison founded Focus Forward Therapy Group, a fully woman-run therapy clinic – she set out to create a new opportunity for women in bodybuilding. 

From the outset, her vision was to create a federation that broke away from the male-dominated norms of the sport, and in 2021, she launched the Women’s Community of Body Building.

“This wasn’t about a business opportunity for me; this was really about giving back,” Harrison said. “It’s a nonprofit federation designed to uplift and support women on their journey. I’ve been hands-on with every single athlete that’s ever competed, and I think being accessible, open, and encouraging is really important for women to meet their goals.”

A winning combination

At a WCBB competition, athletes are judged by an all-women panel, and the criteria are all based on physique, which opens the door to amateur competitors and women who have undergone significant transformations. 

“If a woman has lost 170 pounds, they may have excess skin, but you can still see that muscle definition. That’s exclusively what we look at,” explained Harrison. “They’re being judged by women who are safe, supportive, and experienced in the bodybuilding community, and they just thrive on stage.”

As a registered psychotherapist, Harrison is also fully attuned to the mental side of competing. 

The organization prioritizes mental health, recognizing the emotional challenges athletes face post-competition. They host post-show check-ins via Zoom, where competitors discuss their feelings and progress. 

“Like many sports, bodybuilding can be mentally taxing. There is an incredible letdown after you compete that can trigger depression or a feeling of lack of purpose,” she said. “For me, that was fundamental. It felt like that was the whole purpose of having a more fulsome community.”

Finding purpose in helping others

So far, the federation’s impact has been profound, both for competitors and for Harrison herself. 

“The confidence these women gain from competing is contagious. I’ve seen them reap the benefits in their careers and relationships…. It’s incredible, really,” she said.

“As for me, when I hand a medal to a competitor and see the pride on their face, it fills my cup more than I could ever fill my own.”

And her efforts have not gone unnoticed. Since its inception, the Women’s Community of Body Building has hosted multiple shows, partnered with women-owned businesses, and awarded bursaries to organizations like the Youville Centre, which helps young mothers complete their education. Her federation has also inspired other organizations to adopt similar practices, such as creating transformation categories and offering post-show support.

“Seeing other federations evolve and let go of outdated policies shows the ripple effect we’ve had,” she said. “There’s no competition between us — I just want the sport to be better for everyone.”

As Harrison retires from competing after completing her 10th show at 45, her focus remains on growing her community and uplifting others. 

“It’s about so much more than how you look. It’s about setting goals, doing the hard work, and finding fulfillment in helping others succeed,” she said. “I believe that planting myself firmly within my private practices and growing these other federations is where I’m supposed to be in life. It’s brought me more contentment than I could even articulate.”