Looking Back: My Journey in Natural Bodybuilding
by: Nancy Andrews
I had the honor of serving as only the second president in the history of the WNBF, from 2014 until 2024. In those eleven years, I was proud to see the federation grow into a true world powerhouse for natural bodybuilding. We raised standards for drug testing, increased pro prize money, and added new categories that gave more athletes a place to shine.
My journey in bodybuilding started back in 1995, after my years as a Division I collegiate gymnast. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a passion. That year I won the ANBC National Championship, a defining moment of my amateur career. It was a stacked lineup of more than 40 women who had all won local qualifiers. That same year I also qualified into the only natural professional league, the WNBF.
I spent the next two years competing across different organizations — some tested, some not. Along the way, one very special moment came when I won the AAU New England Championships, a show promoted by my husband, Jim Broderick. That win was memorable not just for the title, but because it’s where Jim and I first met.
As I kept competing, I realized my future belonged in tested shows. I won more than 25 amateur titles, but from that point on, I stayed with the WNBF for my entire career as both a competitor and promoter.
In 1997, I brought my best to the WNBF World Championships in New York City. With no weight or height classes, I was one of the smaller athletes on stage — but I walked away as the Overall World Champion. It was the start of something bigger than I could have imagined. I went on to win three more World titles in 1999, 2003, and 2004, never losing an overall. With four Overall World Championships, I retired from competing after 2004.
Through the years, I also promoted some of the biggest shows in the country, launched the Pro Series seminars with Laurie Normandeau, and worked with many of the sport’s top voices to educate and guide athletes. The events, classes, and camps brought people together from all over and remain some of my favorite memories.
By 2013, the WNBF faced challenges. The magazine tied to the federation could no longer sustain itself, and the Worlds was in danger of being canceled. I was asked to step in and promote the event. It was a financial loss, but one of the most rewarding experiences of my career — proof that some things matter too much to let them fade. The very next year, I had the opportunity to become part-owner of the WNBF alongside Tina Smith and Bob Bell. Together, we rebuilt the federation and expanded it worldwide.
Over the years I promoted dozens of events — from the Hercules, Naturalmania and Pro Universe, and the South Shore Classic, to the Battle 4 Broadway, Springmania, Northeast Classic, and the Monster Mash. In total, I was part of more than 100 events and over 10,000 athlete entries.
When the pandemic hit, I was one of the few promoters who found a way to keep athletes competing — even if it meant hosting a show in a warehouse with no audience, using cohorts, and streaming online. Looking back, those were some of the toughest but proudest moments of my time as a promoter.
2024 – A New Chapter
In 2024, I knew it was time to retire from promoting and step away from WNBF leadership. The sport has changed, my family and career need more of my time, and it was the right moment to pass things on. I gifted my shares of the WNBF to Tyra and Bobby Bell, who represent the next generation of leadership. They are bright, hardworking, and dedicated, and I know they will carry the sport forward.
Equally important to me were my own shows. They had to remain in good hands. The Springmania will continue under Bonnie Lefrak and Stage Ready Promotions, where it will keep welcoming new athletes into the sport. The Northeast Classic and the Monster Mash — two shows that mean so much to me personally — will now be promoted under the ANBF by Ryan Sullivan of Begic Productions. I am confident that both Ryan and Bonnie will grow these events to an even higher level while keeping the athlete experience at the core.
While I am stepping back, I am not leaving completely. I’ll continue to judge, teach posing, and run seminars under Nancy Andrews Presents. Education, mentoring, and supporting athletes are still passions of mine.
It has been an incredible 30 years. To every athlete, coach, judge, staff member, and family who was part of my events — thank you. I’m proud of the friendships, the opportunities created, and the memories made. Natural bodybuilding has given me so much, and I hope I’ve given something back in return.
My advice is simple: cherish the friendships, take the stage if you’ve ever thought about it, and focus on the process as much as the result. Natural bodybuilding is about growth — as athletes and as people.
The best thing this sport has given me is the people. And those friendships will last a lifetime.
