Stryker X

MARLA MURRAY
NPC COMPETITOR

Marla Murray has come a long way from home in her journey to join the StrykerX.com team. Born and raised in Florida, she obtained a strong athletic background in gymnastics and long distance running. She moved to Corrales, New Mexico and at a lithe 99 pounds, she soon discovered that running in a higher elevation was a little difficult and began to pursue fitness at Rancho Health and Fitness. "Not knowing what to do or how to work out, I started training under the guidance of legendary Body Builder, Serge Nebret," stated Marla Murray.

When she started to see the changes in her physique, she quickly became hooked on bodybuilding. She loved how her muscles began to transform and loved the "pump" that only someone who trains with weights would understand. Under the direction of Serge Nebret, she began competing in the 'Fitness' category and did her first show in 1994 in Albuquerque, weighing in at 124 pounds. As she continued to train and watch her muscles develop, she reached a pivotal point where she decided to get out of 'Fitness' and dedicate herself to Bodybuilding.

Marla and her husband Don moved to San Angelo, Texas in 1988 where they both continued to concentrate on training and in 2002, Marla participated in her first Bodybuilding competition, 'The Heart of Texas', in Plano, Texas. Weighing in at 130 pounds, she took first place in the Middle Weight division. In 2007, the Murrays once again moved, this time to Arizona, where the couple began working out at LA Fitness. In late 2009, Don encouraged Marla to compete in the 'Brown Chiropractic Western Region' in Mesa and on November 28th, she placed first in the Middle Weight Open Class, First in the Masters Class and also took home the 'Overall' trophy. Marla is thankful to her husband and training partner, Don for pushing her so hard, helping her prepare for the show and even putting up with those occasional "cranky" moments.

She would like to thank Stryker for instructing her on proper posing techniques and developing a meal plan for her. "I never will forget what Stryker told me: 'Do not deviate from this meal plan', which I didn't," Marla Murray explained. Thanksgiving was just before the big show and sticking to her meal plan was tough! "While watching everyone enjoy eating their turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, etc., I was eating my delicious tuna fish and veggies," mused Marla.