Meet Lift for Life
Model of the Month
Dana Maney, an athlete whose infectious confidence spreads to
everything that she touches.
The mother of two, Dana's
competitive career began in October of
2004 when on a whim she entered a small first time show in Red Wing
Minnesota. Even in shallow water you can still get your feet wet,
and Dana walked away from the event claiming the second place trophy
out of only two competitors in her class. Regardless of the size of
the event, when one athlete is paired against another, both are
transformed into competitors and in this environment, even a "whim"
can take root.
This September will see Dana competing in the KC Golds Classic in
Kansas City, her 6th competition.
Admiring Dana's confident
smile, or the polished lines of her physique as she graces the stage,
one might suppose that she has little time for anything else. After all,
isn't the narcissistic ambition of a
figure model nothing more than an
obsessive and selfish pursuit?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
To many, the pursuit of a worthy cause or an ideal takes priority over
their own self interest and when Dana stands before a cheering crowd and
offers herself to the harsh criticism of a panel of unknown judges, she
is not bringing attention to herself only, but to the things that she
cares about.
And Dana cares about a lot! As the Director of Special Education working
with 5 local school districts, Dana completed her Masters degree during
her last two competitive seasons while working full time and raising a
family. While working with students with various learning, cognitive and
emotional disabilities, Dana has learned to recognize the value of and
to "celebrate even the smallest of victories".
"I don't accept the "I
don't have time to
work out" excuse from
anyone!"
"There is no finish line in
fitness! You have to keep setting goals, and as you accomplish them,
dream bigger... Fitness is not about the destination, it is about the
journey you take to get there. Enjoy the ride!"
And yet there is more. With the support of her husband Jess (a NANBF
bodybuilder), Dana is a team captain and organizer for the local
American Red Cross Relay for Life team, raising both funds and awareness
in the fight against cancer. As a student council advisor, she has been
instrumental in both coordinating and hosting a community wide ARC Blood
Drive with the help of her counsel students. Add to the list that she
has coached volleyball, basketball and softball, and it becomes evident
that Dana is anything but selfish.
But even if none of the above
were true and Dana's quest was nothing more than selfish ambition, would
that make her accomplishments any less worthy? For one person to stand
against the tide of indifference in our society, to boldly state that
this is who I am and this is what I stand for, to challenge the wind of
fate and alter its course, whatever the motivation, it is enough.
Dana and
her husband Jess are currently competing under the banner of “Team
Rowlett”, a group of professional and amateur competitors led by Mr.
Fred Rowlett and honoring the code of “Character – Integrity –
Commitment – Sportsmanship and Dedication to Natural Bodybuilding.
While
Dana's website is under construction, she can be contacted at danadml@msn.com
