The world-wide competition for the title of Ms. Health and Fitness began last month with 1,000 contestants.
As of Wednesday night the field has been narrowed to 20 and Becky Overbeck is in third place.
"It's very exciting," said the married mother of three girls who lives in the Alliston area.
Not too shabby for someone who initially scoffed at her chances.
Overbeck, who runs a 'little gym' out of her home, received an email in January urging her to enter the Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine competition.
"I read it and said there's not a chance in heck I'm gonna win so I deleted the email. The next day I got a second email saying 'you'd be perfect, apply for this.' So I thought why not? You have nothing to lose."
Five days later she received an email saying she was accepted.
The competition began Feb. 7 and goes to April 5.
Applicants were required to be into body building and fitness but Overbeck believes it takes more than muscles to win.
"At the end of the day a lot of women who look amazing have been knocked out of the competition because I think it comes down to the type of person you are too," she said.
Overbeck says that when she and her husband opened her home fitness studio three and a half years ago today, they didn't think it would last.
"We started with 8 clients and we're now up to almost 1,000 women and men and run 17 classes a week," Overbeck explains.
But her generous nature may be behind her success in the competition which is decided by free Facebook votes.
Overbeck gives complimentary online training and coaching with free meal and workout plans, grocery lists and recipes - anything that can help people reach a goal.
She also does complimentary personal training in her gym.
"I'll literally do anything to help. That's my passion. So I think people now are reciprocating."
She was married at 18 and has been married almost 18 years.
Her career was born when her husband bought her a gift certificate for one-month membership to a local gym after their third daughter was born.
"I was hooked right away. I had always loved fitness. I wanted to be in the fitness industry from when I was a teenager," she said.
So what is the secret to getting in shape?
"There is no secret," Overbeck said. "Accountability. Have somebody that cares about you."
A 'clean diet', eating healthy and intense exercise are it, she says.
"It's not just 'a walk the dog.' I hear people say 'But I exercise. I walk the dog.' That is not enough to see changes in your body. 60 to 90 minutes of daily intense exercise is what it takes. And no cheat days."
The winner of the competition will be featured on the cover of Muscle and Fitness Hers Magazine, in a 2-page spread and take home $20,000.
"I want to win this for our small town. For Moms, for people to remember to never give up, believe in yourself. I didn't think I even had a shot, and now look where I am. It's unbelievable," said Overbeck.
"But I wouldn't be where I am with out my amazing friends, family and clients."
Votes can be cast one per day.
Votes can also be purchased for $1 with proceeds going to Jared Allen's Homes for Wounded Warriors in the U.S.
The link for voting is Vote for Becky Overbeck to be the next Ms. Health and Fitness
For more information on Overbeck visit her Facebook page Becky Overbeck Drives Your Fitness - BODY Fitness | Facebook.
