It’s hard for Stacie Venagro to say which one was more surprising – the title in her first real taste of big competition or her second title in a row, when the competition got even bigger.
Either way, it’s been quite a two-year stretch for the Cranston resident. She won the World Miss Fitness America title in 2012 and won it again this year, even with a major step up in competition to the pro level.
“It was awesome,” Venagro said of the most recent crown. “I didn’t expect it at all. I had much more competition and I had to work a lot harder. It was tough.”
The 2013 competition was held in Las Vegas in November. Venagro hoped it would be another good experience and a chance to test herself against the best. Instead, it yielded another first prize – and another step in what’s been a whirlwind journey to the top of the fitness world.
A Pawtucket native, Venagro grew up doing dance and gymnastics. But as is the case for most in that realm, the opportunities eventually ran out.
“When you’re 18 to 20, the dance world kind of fades away from you,” Venagro said.
Venagro stayed active in her spare time and did some work as a personal trainer as well. When someone suggested she try fitness competitions, she gave it a shot, even though she wasn’t sure it would be the right fit.
“It was outside my comfort zone,” she said. “I grew up a tomboy. It was a nice challenge.”
Venagro took part in a regional competition last year to get her feet wet. Then she was off to Las Vegas, with no idea what awaited her there.
“I went in saying, ‘If I place in the top 10, I’ll be happy,” Venagro said.
She did a little better than then. Competing in the open division, Venagro took top honors and returned to Rhode Island as World Miss Fitness America in 2012.
A title like that could be a culmination for some, but for Venagro, it’s been just the beginning. The title gave her an opportunity to move to the pro division, and she began training for the jump almost immediately.
It happened to dovetail perfectly with her personal training business, Stacie Venagro Fitness.
“My clients really look forward to these events,” she said. “They can look at me and say, ‘She’s setting goals and accomplishing them. I can do that too.’”
As she prepped for the 2013 competition, she went as hard as ever, working out six days a week, with high intensity workouts on three of those days.
“I had to make sure I was on point,” she said. “I had to bring my best to compete against the best.”
She had plenty of motivation. In the history of the Miss Fitness America event, no one had ever won two titles in a row.
“It was history,” Venagro said. “That was a huge incentive for me.”
On the return trip to Vegas, Venagro was again just hoping for a good showing. When they called her name in the top spot, she’d out-done herself again.
“It was amazing,” she said.
Since returning home, Venagro has been honored both by her hometown Pawtucket and by Cranston Mayor Allan Fung. She’s been a Cranston resident for five years.
“It’s been awesome to be recognized,” Venagro said. “You think you’re just from a small town and nothing like this is ever going to happen. It’s been really cool.”
And Venagro doesn’t plan to slow down. When November, 2014 rolls around, she expects to be chasing another crown.
“Everyone is asking if I’m going to do it again,” she said. “I’m going to try.”
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