24 Sept 10: We are sad to report that one of our Wonder Women, Nola Tonks, has lost her long battle with cancer and passed away on the 23 Sept 10. As you can see by the articles we've done on Nola in previous years, she showed an amazing fighting spirit despite being affected by cancer.

Nola was a legend in South Island and NZ bodybuilding and competed at South Island Champs and Nationals for more than 6 years during her battle with cancer.  She last competed at the NZFBB South Island Champs in 09.

We will miss you and your fighting spirit.

In tribute to Nola, the
IFBB South Island Champs this Saturday 25 Sept, will award "a most promising athlete award".  

Feb 09
Nola Tonks is one tough cookie. In 2004 Nola discovered she had breast cancer but that didn't stop her from competing in the Masters physique class at the NZFBB South Island champs that year, then again at the NZFBB Nationals in 2005. 

So in this update we thought we'd republish the profile we did in 04 to remind you of just how inspirational Nola Tonks is. Check out her story below and get motivation from her attitude to fight her battle at the time.
 

Nola will have to summon all that attitude again as the current news is that Nola's cancer has returned in 09.  She found out about lesions when she was reassing herself as she'd like to give competition another go. Nola thought she wasn't in too bad shape.  All she needed to do was to drop a few kilos, increase cardio etc and she'd be on track.
Unfortunately she discovered several lumps (swollen lymph nodes in her neck and along her right clavicle). " Yes I have been diagnosed with cancer again- buggar!!!" Nola said.

 

This time it is unoperational but chemotherapy seems to be working for some of the cancer, at her last CT scan(Jan09) another leison has appeared in my sterum.

Nola said "I am still determined to compete later this year, but the chemo steriods have made me balloon up several more kilos and earlier treatment was making me very ill, we now have that under control and have last chemo treatment for this cycle next monday. After next CT scan early next month will determine where to next. "

We wish Nola all the best in her current battle and we know that she'll beat it once again.
Go Nola, we're with you!!!
Feb 09

 

Nola Tonks. Inspirational Figure, July 04
We all know how tough preparing for a bodybuilding competition is but imagine if you also have to battle the physical and mental challenges of dealing with breast cancer.

For the past 6 moths Nola Tonks of Timaru has had a very 'personal and frigile' time since she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy in March. At present she's undergoing chemotherapy treatment but that has not stopped her from her passion for competitive bodybuilding.

Rather than dwelling on her illness, Nola is channelling her energy to train for the Masters Physique Class at the South Island Champs in October.


For the first time, her husband Warren will be competing in the same show which will make the journey even more special for the couple who have been married and still 'in love' after 26 years together. In this profile we find out how Nola is coping with her illness and the advice she'd give to others who may be undergoing their own challenges.

 
Nola and Warren Tonks

Individual achievements:Warren: winning his class this year at Dunedin
(Gymeez Dunedin Champs 2004)Masters men O40yrs.

Nola: I have many but the ones I'm most proud of is being titled Sth Island Overall Physique 2002 and Dunedin overall physique 2003, National Masters Champ 2002 and 2003 O35 yrs.

What are the highlights of your bodybuilding journey together?
Warren's highlights have been the growth of our relationship, sharing the same desires of wanting
to be the best we can be. Nola's is seeing Warren up on the stage getting the
same thrill I get each time I'm up there, and Warren winning the Dunedin Champs this year.

Easier on relationship?
Depends who gets the chicken first. Yes,because we are both aiming for the same end goal. We enjoy dieting together as we eat the same foods which is so simple and it keeps each other true to their diet and able to adjust things accordingly. Don't enjoy if one of us has a bad day or even worst if both of us has a bad day,,food wise or work wise.

What have you learned about each other? Easier to tolerate each other, being sensitive
towards eachothers needs, giving eachother constructive evaluations.
And diffently not good to be grouchy at the same time.

What advice would you give to other bodybuilding couples? Share the Passion.
Support eachother through thick and thin (bit of a pun there).
And let eachother grow and your relationship will flourish from it.

Dealing with Cancer

Has being fit helped helped you deal with your illness?

Yes definitely being fit has helped immensely in my recovery. I still have some down days and some very down days especially when my white blood count are too low, these need to be at a certain level before chemotherapy can take place and basically the only way to improve them is by rest.

Rest is not only benefited with such a illness but also very necessary when bodybuilding, growth cannot happen without sufficient rest.

Physically - having reasonable muscle mass continues to helps to burn excess calories that you may consume. Personally I find that I could handle the smell of protein powders and chicken cooking and even found it harder to eat at times and there are not many interesting alternatives when you donot feel like food at the best of times while trying to keep with your bodybuilders diet but I have done it so it can be achieved.I totally enjoy cottage cheese now.

Mentally- Sure can be a challenge some days.Focus I think is a better word, keeping your goals in sight, having a goal. I truly believe that has helped me more than anything.
I was preparing for the Australssians (I had been chosen to represent N.Z a dream of mine ) when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and would have to have surgery a.s.a.p (only had 5 weeks to go) and would be having chemotherapy as soon as I had healed.

This was an absolute shattering news ,not only to be told I have cancer but to be told to cancel my biggest dream in the world. But I was telling myself get over it girl ,you have a husband and family that love you and want you around for a long time yet and it has taken 11 years to be chosen for a team, try again for next year and be even better.

It's like you feel desperately hungry for something very sinful when dieting, have a little bit and
GET OVER IT don't go without as this is what you to have a pig out and blow it.
GET OVER IT is favorite saying of mine. This is how I felt.

What has been the effect on your Energy levels?
Very up and down. With having a reasonably physical job and doing
early morning cardio, training and also coping with the effects of chemotherapy, many days there
is not much left at the end of a good day but having a wonderful husband whom helps considerably
around home and who is also training to compete in October (South Island Champs) I -We cope.


Has these Challenges made you tougher?
No, not really I have always been tough and determined, maybe a little more satisfied
with what I've got. Possibly more willing to reach out, express myself.
I've always been the little lady with the big boys in the weight area of the gym,
and never naddy pansy around there.

What have you learned from your illness? It can happen to any one, to listen to your body.If you don't feel healthy if you body feels out of gig get it checked out. I was lucky my lump was contained in my breast tissue, possibly because of my low body fat it had not ulcerated into my breast muscle or my skin, and even though it was a grade 3 cancer not
not spread to any lymph nodes ,the surgeon
removed 11 nodes to make sure.

Effect on my life.There is a awesome amount of support around you for any challenge in your life. And life does go on, it doesn't need to change too dramatically.

Hell I'm without a breast, so what my husband and children still love me for who I am.
It's what you are and have anyways been that matters. And eventually I may have implants not reconstruction as they use muscle for this, but I'm still me, what ever we decide to do in the future.
We laugh as my prosthesis is presently bigger than my natural breast (diet boobs).

What advice would you give others who maybe going through their own challenges?
It's about coping, it all depends on your present situation.
Do not give up, remember most challenges not only effect you, they effect everyone else around you. There's basically no easy way but there are ways around the most difficult of situations.
Seek out information, from people, books.There is help out there and a majority of the time it's
from people whom you would not imagine.
And the caring people, I have had some absolute wonderful things said to me recently and these
small but memorable words have made a tremendous impact on me emotionally.

You need to look deep into your self, and decide if you need to change certain areas of your life.
No harm can be done in improving who you are. Take small chances,quietly and calmly,
they lead up to big improvements in the end.

July 04

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