About Catherine Zidell
 Weight training and exercising was important in my early life when I was hired by Southwest Airlines back in 1977 as a flight attendant. Southwest has a “strict” fitness policy which resulted in a company sponsored “weight check” each week. Click on the "hot pants" to see one of the ads that launched the successful airline! Our Hot Pants were on the marketing menu for Southwest, so I paid further attention to my health and fitness as it was a requirement.
I started reading and researching everything that had to do with living a healthy lifestyle. I found that nutrition was a main factor to excellent health, followed by exercise and a person’s positive attitude. I came to admire bodybuildings first icons such as Rachel McLish and Cory Everson. I felt that they had the perfect balance of femininity and muscularity. Rachael & Cory inspired me to be very committed to my nutrition and weight training.
1996 found me in my best shape yet (forty one years old) and I decided to enter my first bodybuilding show. With a full time flight schedule to handle, I became committed to staying focused and on track for my show. Can you imagine packing food for a 3 day trip and trying to find a gym in various cities? My dedication paid off as I finished second in my first show. I have now competed in over twenty two major shows since 1996. I placed first place in a large heavywieght bodybuilding class in only my second show and I knew I was hooked. I went on to place high in numerous local shows. I then decided to crossover to a figure competition in 2001. The highlight was the NPC Masters Teen and Collegiate Bodybuilding Fitness and Figure Nationals in Pittsburgh in 2004. I placed first in the Masters Figure 35+ at 49 years old. I then went on to top even that placing by winning the 35+ Masters Figure and the 45+ Masters Figure in 2006 at the age of 52!!
After retiring from 24 wonderful years at Southwest Airlines, I now serve as a full time Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness & Nutrition Coach. My husband Jeff is a Dallas based businessman and weightlifter. I have had a life-long passion for Arabian Horses and I still frequently compete at Arabian Horse Shows around the country.
Competition History
National Physique Committee (NPC)
2006
2006 North American Championships
3rd place Masters Figure
8th place Open Figure D
NPC Master Teen and Collegiate Nationals
1st place Masters Tall Class 35+
1st place Masters 45+
2005
NPC Masters Teen and Collegiate Nationals
Pittsburgh PA
1st Place Masters Figure 45+
4th Place Master Figure 35+
NPC North Americans Championships
Cleveland, OH
2nd Place Masters Figure 35+
8th Place Open Figure Tall Class
2004
NPC Masters Teen and Collegiate Nationals
Pittsburgh, PA
1st Place Tall Figure Class 35+
2003
Southwest USA Championships
Arlington, TX
2nd Place Open Figure Tall Class
NPC Masters Nationals
Pittsburg PA
5th Tall Class Figure
2002
Texas State Championships
Houston TX
2nd Masters Figure
Ronnie Coleman Classic, Arlington TX
3rd Tall Class Figure
Lone Star Classic, Plano TX
2nd Masters Figure
2001
Red River Classic, Oklahoma City OK
3rd Tall Class Figure
Tournament of Champions, Culver City CA
2nd Tall Class Figure
Heart Of Texas, Waco TX
4th Figure
1999
Lackland Classic, San Antonio TX
1st Heavyweight Open Bodybuilding
1998
Ironman, Culver City CA
2nd Heavyweight Open Bodybuilding
Southwest Natural, Ft Worth TX
2nd Open Heavyweight
1997
Lackland Classic, San Antonio TX
1st Heavyweight Novice Bodybuilding
1996
Southwest Natural, Ft Worth TX
3rd Novice Heavyweight Bodybuilding
Ironman Natural, San Antonio TX
2nd Novice Heavyweight Bodybuilding
|
