Kelly Harmon’s alarm beeps at 4:30 a.m. every morning. She heads off to the gym for a cardiovascular workout, then tackles a strenuous work day as the MCVSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Then, she goes right back to the gym for another two hours. The demanding workload doesn’t faze her, however: she keeps going with the mantra “The harder I work, the luckier I get.”

Harmon has been training for the National Physique Committee Eastern USA Championships, a body building competition in Poughkeepsie, New York on Nov. 12, 2021. The National Physique Committee is “the premier amateur physique organization in the world,” according to their website.

Two factors motivated Harmon to enter the competition: friends who had bodybuilt before and a desire to try new things.

“I had a friend who was over 300 pounds, and I saw him transform his body,” said Harmon. “And it’s just the way I am, I’m always looking to push myself and achieve new things.”

The former Communications High School English teacher has not only been training to get in top shape, she was — and still is — also working towards earning her doctorate of education degree (Ed.D.). As a result, free time has been minimal, but Harmon stayed motivated through the power of others and was determined to reach the finish line.

“About six months ago, I told everybody I was doing this,” Harmon said. “So I think telling people, telling family, telling friends has held me accountable.”

With an intense workload came drastic changes. She learned about the power of hard work, filling her with a sense of confidence and determination.

“You can really do anything with hard work and having a goal,” said Harmon. “If you really want something, you can do it.”

At the competition, Harmon placed fourth in both fields she competed in (Women’s Wellness Masters 40+ and Women’s Wellness Masters 35+). And she isn’t done with body building just yet.

“My coach told me to take a little time off, but I’m already itching to go back to the gym,” Harmon said. “And hopefully, by summer of next year, I’ll be able to compete again.”