Beanne Tong: Fitness Competitor

Athlete: Beanne Tong
Age: 45
Sport: Stage Fitness Competitor

Over the course of 2.5 years, I have had the absolute pleasure of working with and training with now 2x National IFBB Masters Bikini champion; Beanne Tong, who is not only an extremely successful competitor in her chosen sport, but is also a very close friend!

Her journey has been inspirational, not just because of her results, but because of the way she has had to deal with the things life throws at her, and her not using these situations as excuses.

As you can see from these progress pictures, Bea has shown a true dedication to the cause and remained head strong amongst the adversity, taking my training advice on board and using her expertise as a nutrition coach at ‘Bea Inspired’ to bring out the very best in her physique.

I’ll let her tell the story from here:

"My name is Beanne Tong. I’m 45, a ‘soul’ parent, Sports Nutrition Coach and Masters Bikini competitor.

I would like to thank and acknowledge one of the integral and extraordinary people that have contributed to my recent success in the sport, Gavin Pratt.

Gavin and I began working together early 2013 with plans to make my debut with IFBB a memorable one…and that it was: NATIONAL CHAMPION!!

I continued strong into early 2014, placing 2nd at 'Fitx' and another 1st in 'Carole Grahame’s All Female Classic'. After a few months of general preparation with my training, the time came to peak again in September 2014, to try and achieve the results we’d set out, months ago.

In early September, I placed second at the Queensland IFBB Masters Bikini, which in hindsight was a blessing, as it gave me the feedback I needed to get my preparation exactly right for the Nationals the following week. Not only did I go into the competition with a high level of confidence, I just knew I’d peaked at the right time…this competition was MINE for the taking!!

Result? Back to back IFBB National Bikini Masters Champion titles! What a feeling!!


My weeks are just as crazy as the next person, always changing and throwing out challenges. If I am to continue to enjoy competing, “Prep” needs to adapt to life with minimal impact, not the other way around. I’ve found a coach that listens and works with me, and all I need to say is, “This is the time frame, these are my resources, here’s some other random issues to keep it interesting” and we come up with a plan….and it works everytime!

Why? Because quite simply, Gav actually cares, is realistic, trusts my judgement and genuinely takes on my goals as his own. Combine this with a unique gift of writing programs that are simple but specific, enjoyable, yet so incredibly effective, and we have: “The Gav Factor!!”.

I’ve often asked when the DOMS start kicking-in hard 24hrs post, “What the hell happened in that session yesterday?!?!”. Well, “Reward for Effort ” is what happened, and from my most recent results, I’m looking forward to the effort we put in leading to more success, this time, on the International stage!".