Sherry Strong

Sherry Perper is a 51-year-old single mother of three living in Marlton, New Jersey. She is also a bodybuilder. After suffering a stroke in her mid-twenties, the incident prompted a deep interest in health and fitness. Eventually, in her mid-forties, she began entering into bodybuilding competitions to prove that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. After a five year break from competing, Sherry decided to get her pro-card in an all natural organization called National Gym Association (NGA) at 50-years-old. She competes in the figure category, a difficult feat for someone of her age. Throughout her year of competing, Sherry dealt with a lot. Her middle child, Eric joined the navy. Her father had to be hospitalized. She woke up at 4:30 am every morning for strict training in order to be a present mother for her youngest son Justin, who is in high school. Sherry works as a personal trainer and coach to clients that compete in bodybuilding competitions. Her boyfriend Dan, a bodybuilder as well, has been Sherry's nutrition and workout coach during the entire process. Sherry maintained a very specific diet for the shows.

While Sherry enjoys the training and preparation aspects of the bodybuilding competition process, she does have some qualms with the industry. On the one hand, competing is great for her career as a personal trainer and coach. On the other hand, she has witnessed the utter obsession of certain bodybuilders and the occasional corruptness of bodybuilding organizations that have turned her off from the shows in the past. However, she wanted to try out an all natural organization where she wouldn't feel she was under as much pressure, given her family life and age. In the three competitions she competed within the duration of this story, she received her pro-card from NGA and eventually went on to competing in the Universe show where she got Third Place in the Pro Figure and Pro Figure Masters (35+ category). Though she was proud that she placed third and was the oldest woman in her category, she was quite disappointed with the organization. In the universe show, they did not credit her on stage, only online several days later. She felt it was a slap in the face after spending so much time and effort in being involved with the organization.

With Sherry's recent reintegration into the world of bodybuilding, she feels more confident to possibly compete in larger organizations. Her children occasionally tease her, but are always proud and supportive as they know she is an excellent mother. Currently, she is taking a much needed break from competing to focus on family and work. Break or not, Sherry can still be found training at the gym in the wee hours of the morning.

Project Roles
Photographer
Company
self
Skills
Adobe Photoshop, Documentary, Photojournalism
Media
Documentaries, Photographs, Photography, Photojournalism
Project Industries
Lifestyle, Media
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