Canadian bodybuilder with MS and her dream of making it big on world stage
Global News
The 43-year-old from Montreal is training to compete in the wheelchair division of the Arnold Amateur international bodybuilding competition taking place in Columbus, Ohio.
Marie Pontini is a force to be reckoned with.
The 43-year-old is training to compete in the wheelchair division of the Arnold Amateur international bodybuilding competition taking place in Columbus, Ohio at the end of February.
She’s hoping to be the first Canadian woman to do so.
“That’s the goal,” said Pontini, with a huge smile on her face. Her trainer at Buzzfit-Acadie in Montreal, Roudy Assaf, believes she can do it.
As hard as she pushes herself physically, her biggest strengths, he said, are her mental tenacity and determination.
“When she wants something she’s going for it.”
Pontini was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of Multiple Sclerosis in February 2016. A few months later, cognitive impairment stemming from her illness, meant her career as a chemical engineer was over.
“I loved it, but I don’t have the brain for it anymore,” Pontini said.
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