Millbury Entrepreneur + Cancer Survivor Competes For Fitness Title

Monday, October 14, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

Beauty and fitness know no age for 39-year-old Kelley Taylor, a breast cancer survivor competing at the WBFF show on Nov. 9.

Kelley Tyan, breast cancer survivor and owner of Kelley’s Boot Camp for Women in Worcester, is gearing up to compete in the upcoming New England World Beauty Fashion and Fitness Inc. (WBFF) show in Providence, Rhode Island. WBFF is a lifestyle brand servicing the fitness, beauty, fashion, competitive sport, health, and wellness industries.

Tyan is training hard and says she’d love to join the elite group of fitness professionals represented by WBFF and earn her ‘pro status’. “[WBFF] produces lots of top models and athletes in magazines. All athletes I aspire to be like come from WBFF. It could be a stepping stone to be a sponsored athlete for protein companies and fitness apparel,” says Tyan.

Rearing to go

At WBFF, Tyan will be competing in two divisions: Miss Bikini Diva (ages 35 and up) and Open Class (all ages). Though this will only be Tyan’s second year competing in fitness shows, she has already won some huge titles. In her debut year, the mother of two won first place at Miss Bikini New England, Miss Bikini America, and Miss Bikini Universe, all Fitness Universe competitions.

This year, Tyan recruited WBFF Bikini Professional Nicole Costa of Lincoln, RI to shape her into winning form. Tyan’s training regimen has been taking place over 14 weeks and includes two hours in the gym six days a week and a specialized diet of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and green vegetables. It’s hard work, but Tyan says she's ready for it.

“I am so excited because I haven’t done a show since last November and I was mentally and physically ready. It’s awesome. I have ups and downs, I’m sacrificing my family time and my social life, but I’m working so hard for a goal I really want to accomplish,” she states.

Stronger than cancer

Tyan attributes her motivation partly to overcoming breast cancer. She was diagnosed in 2009, during which time she was studying to become a personal trainer. Determined not let breast cancer stop her, Tyan went on to get certified after finishing radiation treatments. Tyan uses this life lesson in motivating her clients as well. “If more women could just realize they can be healthy by eating clean and feeling great...I’m stronger today than I was last year,” Tyan said.

Tyan also takes her inspiring story outside of the gym. In October she participated as a model in the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge Fashion Show in Worcester, and returned as a guest panelist at the Pink Revolution event at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Though Tyan is busy helping others achieve their goals, she is keeping her eyes on the prize and hopes to continue her winning streak at her next competition.

The New England World Beauty Fashion and Fitness show will take place on November 9th at the Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI. Click here to buy tickets.