Autumn Raby showing one of her many poses.

I had the dream of turning Pro...

I started my training for 2005 with a commitment to “guest pose” at the contest that got me started, the “Northern Classic” in Fort St. John, BC. It was going to work out perfectly because Denise was going to come back to Canada to shoot again, this time for her “B-movie”, a vampire flick that I had a small part in. It was to be called “Blood and Kisses”!!! I did my guest posing after leaving the film crew in Vancouver, then returned to my current home in Trail, BC, to finish my last 3 months of prep for Nationals. Because I was already in shape so early in the year, Greg had a plan that would later be revealed. At 2 weeks out from Nationals, we were talking with some friends who used to compete and they asked if we considered dropping into the middle-weight class instead of heavy-weight. After this talk, Greg’s plan went into effect and I had to now make a weight class. I was sitting at 140lbs, with 2 weeks to go. I had made some improvements with size this year, but my conditioning was ahead of where it was at the same time last year. Now let me tell you, I have a new respect for those competitors who have to make a weight class. It is soooo very stressfull, but I knew if I could pull it off, I would be hard to beat.

We arrived in Montreal, Quebec with a couple days to spare and my weight was right where it needed to be. I was ready!!! I was more than ready, I couldn’t wait. At weigh-ins I shocked a lot of competitors when I weighed in as a middle-weight at 124lbs. I was ripped, and happy!!! The next morning came and in my class there was only 5 of us. After pre-judging I was confident that I would win my class and that our plan was working. Of course the Overall would be another story, but I wanted this very bad. That night, September 3 2005 I won my class and found myself in the Overall posedown with the other class winners. It was intense as the girl who would pose the biggest threat for the Overall win was none other than Collette Guimond. This girl used to compete in the 1990’s and was huge and ripped at 160lbs at a height of 5’1”. I knew who she was and couldn’t believe she came out of retirement to compete again!!! After the posedown I was standing there waiting for them to announce the Overall winner, my heart was racing…and the winner is…Autumn Raby!!! Of course it took me several seconds to realize they called my name as the had announced it in French! I couldn’t believe this was happening! I won, and would be receiving my IFBB-Pro Card. I was overcome with emotion and pride as I had accomplished something so special. I was now a Pro, my life as a bodybuilder was just beginning!!!

Autumn