Noel Hedley

My Name is Noel (Parsons) Hedley and I am 23 years old. I am born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. I got married to my perfect husband in December 2017 and we still live in the Chicago suburbs with our two adorable cats, Ping and Walter. I attended Lake Forest College where I graduated with a degree in Political Science and Business. With the initial intention to go to law school, I discovered my passion for weight lifting and new a career in helping others was for me. Now, I am a nationally certified personal trainer with ACE (American Council on Exercise) and former Bikini competitor!

My fitness journey truly began in my sophomore year of high school after quitting track & field. After soccer season had come to a close, I joined spring track & field purely for staying in shape. However, I did not enjoy it whatsoever. I knew I needed to stay active so I started going to the gym. I knew nothing about weights, so I became your classic “cardio bunny”. I actually got really good at cardio and was running 10+ miles a day. I was extremely thin and though I didn’t count calories, I tried to eat as little of them as possible.

Fast forward about four years to the day I came across a Muscle & Fitness magazine that featured female bikini athletes. They did not look bulky and manly like I assumed they would; in fact, they looked badass and strong! I was so inspired by their physiques that I decided to start weightlifting and work towards shaping my “dream body”. As the weeks went by I noticed many positive changes and I fell in love with weightlifting. I put on a good amount of muscle pretty fast, and because I was so well conditioned from all the cardio that I looked a little bit like those girls in the magazine!

After two years of self-taught bodybuilding, I decided I was ready to try competing. I prepped for 5 whole months. It was the most strict I have ever been with my diet. I took 5th place in the Novice division at the OCB Buckeye Natural in Columbus, Ohio. While I am extremely grateful to have had the experience of competing, I prefer a more balanced approached to health and fitness and decided that my first show would also be my last.

Currently, I am lifting heavier weights than ever before. In fact, I proudly brag about my 200-pound deadlift! My metabolism has completely changed since I became a weight-lifter and allows me to eat more food than my six-foot husband and teenage brother combined while remaining lean and toned. The only change bigger than my deadlift to come from my fitness journey was my change in self-confidence. While the aesthetics are nice, I promise the best thing to come is the strong sense of empowerment and self-worth. I began my career in fitness to help other woman achieve the same physical and mental goals that I did. I want to motivate women daily and educate them throughout the process. You really have to believe in yourself because ultimately it is all up to you. Fitness will challenge and show you that you are truly capable of doing and becoming more than you ever imagined.