Tina Costi on competing in a Bikini Bodybuilding competition! (BSL)

Tina Costi, a deaf woman from London, recently competed in her very first body building competition, taking home several medals.

Watch Rebecca Withey talking to Tina in BSL in the video below, or scroll down to continue in English!

A mother of three, who works full time and is married to deaf TV presenter Marios Costi, Tina embarked on her bodybuilding journey less than a year ago when she had a vision to compete as a Bikini Bodybuilder.

An avid gym goer already, Tina worked relentlessly hard with a personal trainer and posing coach to get to her very first competition which took place immediately Cardiff earlier this month.

Tina chatted to us in BSL about her experience competing and offered advice for others who may be pursuing a dream of their own.

A transcript of the BSL video is below:

Rebecca: So for the competition itself, what did you have to do? Different rounds?

Tina: Yes, so of course you have to prepare your bikini, make up, high heels for it. The aim is to look glamorous – it’s part of their criteria – so glam make up and a spray tan is a must!

When I arrived I had regular clothes on, my bikini was in my bag and I had my make up done professionally that morning. I signed in and made my way to the backstage area which is only for competitions and coaches. Then I went back for one more spray tan.

Rebecca: Did you say you had three spray tans?

Tina: Just two.  One spray tan the night before the competition and one when I arrived. They also added a glaze – like an oil – to make my skin shine and add extra pizzazz!

I got dressed into my bikini and added sparkly jewellery; rings, earrings, bracelets and then it was time for the bikini girls – we all went up in different categories. (Wellness, Figure etc)

We were the last group on stage – I couldn’t believe I was actually doing it but I felt so positive! They followed the order of different classes so I was in the “first time over 35”group to begin with.

Then it was “first timers or those who had never won a first place medal”;  followed by “the smaller group according to height” then “open class for smaller height” and then finally “the over 40 class.”

The girls all looked amazing, a lot had been doing it for ten years or seven years – there were a few who were first timers like me!

Everyone was so supportive. There was no competitiveness backstage or bad attitude, it felt like such a strong supportive group.

Bodybuilders in general are such a supportive group with positive attitudes. They all applaud each other regardless of whatever medal you get or even if you don’t place, you deserve that applause for just making it onto the stage!

We all achieved so much and praise one another. It doesn’t really matter what you get from the event, as long as you got on stage!

Rebecca: That’s true – you’ve achieved so much with months of training.

Tina: Yes – even without a medal I felt like I have won already!

In the first class, I felt good at first! You have to walk on stage in your heels, smile and make eye contact with the judges – which can be tricky when you’re concentrating on how you’re moving.

I found it a challenge having to keep looking to the side at the interpreter as when you’re doing your poses, you really need to maintain your balance.

You have to lift one leg up slightly for the perfect pose. I found this hard to do having to look to the side for instructions and this did affect my balance.

This made me realise in future I also need an additional deaf relay interpreter at the front in my eye line who can quickly relay information.

This would save so much time too and prevent delays not having to process long sentences like “ladies can you please, etc” I can just see one interpreter quickly sign “turn around” or “move to one side.”

So that’s one learning curve for me. It’s like when you watch a yoga instructor, you need to keep your balance – you need to keep your eyeline in one place.

It didn’t help that I was so nervous that my legs felt like jelly! I felt more relaxed in the second and third classes so looking back I feel proud of myself and shouldn’t criticise myself really.

I did feel there were a few things I could’ve done better but I guess that’s the same for anyone whatever they’re doing – competing or being interviewed. You always wonder “if only I did that!”

But even my posing coach told me to stop criticising myself.

Rebecca: It was your first time after all!

Tina: It’s given me that itch for more though!

Rebecca: You won medals didn’t you?

Tina: Yes they’re beautiful!

Rebecca: Well done! They’re so big!

You got first and second medals?

Tina: Yes – first, first, first, second!

So that was a massive achievement for me especially going up against girls who have been competing for years! It was the first time for me and I think in the overall class I was the only person who was a first timer too.

Rebecca: Wow! And do you know of any other deaf bodybuilders?

Tina:I’m not the first, there was one deaf bodybuilder – a man who did well in the 70s and 80s. He actually follows me now on social media! Looking back, I wonder how he accessed things then.

I’m pretty sure there are hard of hearing or deaf non BSL users who compete in the bodybuilding world.

But a deaf sign language user who is part of the deaf community? I haven’t seen this. So I would say I’m the first culturally deaf sign language user to compete, yes!

Rebecca: So, did the federation provide interpreters or did you arrange this?

Tina: They provided it for me. First I had to explain what my rights were – which was a bit annoying as throughout preparation you have to be mindful of your stress levels. Because when your body is stressed it holds onto fat.

Rebecca: Oh! Whereas you’re trying to get rid of fat – so you need to stay calm. That’s good advice!

Tina: Yes so my advice is don’t stress to lose fat! You need to sleep well and don’t stress.

So I had to get in touch about the access requirements and they made it so easy – I didn’t have to challenge them or anything.

Rebecca: That’s brilliant.

Tina: Compared to other places who have awful attitudes, they caused no issues whatsoever about it.

Rebecca: That must have been such a relief for you. Do you have more competitions coming up?

Tina: Yes – 29th June! This one is part of a different federation. The last one was NPC federation – their rules regarding posing are different from the 29th.

The poses for NPC are more gentle with flowing movements. The one on the 29th June has more aggressive poses.

It’s the same procedure for the competition it’s just how you behave on stage will be different.

Rebecca: How interesting!

Tina: Yes, so I’ve been spending lots of time preparing for this one and their expectations of poses. This morning I’ve had a session with my posing coach but I feel physically ready, I just need to maintain how I am – keeping fat off.

So many deaf people are coming along to watch which I feel so touched by! Even people that I don’t know are coming along to support me and watch.

Rebecca: That’s so lovely.

Tina: It’s in Derby

Rebecca: Oh! I could go!

Tina: Yes – lots are coming along – some have even messaged me online to tell me they’re coming.

Rebecca: What wonderful support!

Tina: It’s amazing that bodybuilding is being recognised. Usually for deaf gatherings it’s around football events or similar kind of sports, even MMA.

So I think this is a brilliant opportunity for deaf people to see what body building is like.

Rebecca: For our last question – you’re so inspiring. You’re a young woman with a family – full time job –

Tina: Young – I’m old!

Rebecca: Well, you’re still young at heart!

But you’ve really dedicated yourself to your vision and you’ve worked so hard towards it. I wonder if you have any tips for others – men and women – who may have suddenly found themselves with a new vision in their life – how can they make sure they achieve their dream? What advice would you give?

Tina: For anyone watching – you can do anything you want to achieve. Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t blame your deafness. That’s old news.

There are always ways. It helps to research and look into information, find people who have done similar things before, maybe you’ll discover deaf people or even CODA’s who have.

I found lots of CODA’s in the body building world. So this might be the same for your ambition – check who is involved and ask questions.

Don’t let your deafness stop you – there’s no excuse, you can do it!

Rebecca: Wonderful thank you for talking to us about your journey and good luck for the 29th!

Tina: Thank you and thank you for asking me to chat.

Rebecca: My pleasure!

Tina’s next competition will be at this event here.