Meet Lift for Life Model of the Month Denise James, an athlete with enough ambition to hold back the hands of time.

Born into a family of athletes, Denise was fortunate to have positive athletic role models during her formative years. Raised on a cattle ranch, Denise and her three younger sisters were accustomed to doing things the "old fashioned way". Milking cows and churning butter by hand and respect for nature became the brick and mortar of her own personal strength and character.

And in time, she was going to need a lot of personal strength!

Shortly after High School where she played softball, track and HS Rodeo, she moved to Australia to participate as a circus performer in her families show. These were good years in which she learned everything from clowning and animal acts to the flying trapeze.

Denise returned to the states in 1983 and began weight training. Little did she know that her background, mental fortitude and physical training were about to play a major role in her own survival.

It was during this time that Denise was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition which resulted in "four very ill years on chemotherapy drugs".

She was sick, she was weak, but she was still Denise James, and Denise wasn't about to take her condition lying down.

"totally woke up one morning tired of it all and slowly weaned myself off all drugs and started living again with training and proper nutrition and no more negative TV etc. Of course Prayer helps too. It's amazing what you can do with a positive attitude and living a bodybuilding healthy lifestyle."

In 1996, Denise began the Body for Life program and from there moved into the INBF (International Natural Bodybuilding Federation) finally winning her pro card in the WNBF in July of 2004.

"As a life time natural athlete and an older female this has totally changed my life from when I was ill.  If they say 50 is the new 30's----well then I am only 29!"

Denise and her husband now promote the Washington State Natural Bodybuilding and Figure Championships which is a INBF pro qualifying event. To learn more about Denise, visit her website at www.unitedfitness.org.

Current Stats:

My goal for next year (keeping my fingers crossed)! is to be 125 lbs on stage at 6% bodyfat and 50yrs old/young!!!

"We take be natural very seriously and have been asked to guest speak at high school athletic dept regarding the dangers of performance inhancing drugs and the recipe for success with out them.  All of this has been extremely rewarding!!!!"

"Stay strong, Stay healthy"

Denise James

Because of her tenacity, character and unbending commitment to drug free physical excellence, Lift for Life.com is proud to feature Denise James as the Women's Natural Bodybuilding Model of the Month.

Lift for Life.com Female Bodybuilding Model of the Month

WNBF Pro Denise James

To learn more about Denise, visit one of the sites below

WNBF Pro-bodybuilder
INBF Promoter Washington State
INBF Judge
www.unitedfitness.org
bodyspace. bodybuilding.com/DeniseJ
http://www.myspace.com/46976027

Natural Bodybuilding at its Finest - Lift for Life.com