Debbie Thompson

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As far back as I can remember, I have been active. I grew up in England, where I rode horses, swam competitively, and played multiple team sports. While I loved being active, my eating habits were not ideal. I struggled with my weight and, as a result, with my self-confidence.

At sixteen, my family moved to the United States—a difficult transition for me. I didn’t feel like I fit in. That changed when I discovered weightlifting. In 1980, it was rare to see women in a male-dominated gym. Although I was initially intimidated, I quickly found my place. I learned proper lifting techniques and completely transformed my relationship with food. As my body grew stronger, so did my confidence and mindset.

I continued weight training through high school and college while also pursuing a career training Arabian horses. It was physically demanding—and at times dangerous—but I loved it. Unfortunately, the repeated falls took a toll on my body. During one particularly severe fall, I injured my back—an injury that would resurface later in my life.

In 1988, I decided to compete in the Ms. Cincinnati Bodybuilding Show, where I placed second in the lightweight division. It was a tremendous accomplishment and a proud moment for me. Shortly after the competition, however, I discovered I was pregnant with my first son. I retired from competing and stepped away from my career as a horse trainer.

Over the next four years, I had three children. Life was full of motherhood, but I continued to train whenever possible. Weight training supported me throughout my pregnancies and made recovery and delivery easier. My passion for fitness eventually led me to earn my personal training certification in 1998 so I could share my knowledge and love of movement with others.

In 1999—eleven years and three children after my first competition—I reentered the Ms. Cincinnati contest, initially on a bet. With increased muscle, refined nutrition, and years of experience behind me, I won the overall title and became Ms. Cincinnati 1999.

With that success, my personal training business grew rapidly. Looking for a new challenge, I shifted my focus to endurance sports. Once again, on a bet, I entered a triathlon—despite not having ridden a bike in years. The race included a six-mile canoe, a six-mile run, and an eighteen-mile bike. I finished in under three hours. While I enjoyed all aspects of the race, running quickly became my passion.

Running became a daily ritual. I rose at 4:30 a.m. to run before work and gradually increased my weekend mileage. In 2002, I completed the Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 4 hours and 20 minutes—my exact goal. A few months later, I ran the Flying Pig Marathon, tackling Cincinnati’s challenging hills and beating my previous marathon time by seven minutes.

A few months after that race, I was involved in a car accident that severely reinjured my back. This time, surgery was unavoidable. I underwent two procedures, including a spinal fusion, and was advised by my neurosurgeon to stop running.

Once again, I adapted. I turned my focus to dance—ballroom, Zumba, and even belly dancing—and found joy and athletic challenge in all of them.

In 2013, despite having a spinal fusion, I returned to running and completed the Flying Pig Marathon once again. Although slower than my earlier races, the accomplishment was deeply meaningful. It reinforced my belief that with proper training, patience, and respect for the body, incredible things are possible.

Today, fitness remains an integral part of my life. I continue to strength train, run, and dance, and I have added yoga, kayaking, and cycling to my routine. Fitness has not only enriched my life—it has empowered me to live fully despite injury.

It is my greatest desire to help others discover what their bodies are capable of and to support them in achieving their own fitness goals.