SHELSEA NICOLE MONTES

Shelsea Nicole Montes was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and is very proud of her heritage. At a young age her parents, Elizabeth Montes and Ramon Montes, recognized Shelsea’s athletic potential and enrolled her in gymnastics and dance. Throughout high school, Shelsea ran cross country to maintain her healthy physique.

In 2003 Montes began competing in beauty pageants. She loved the stage and also having to uphold a role-model persona. Shelsea competed for 4 years. Her pageant training has given her an advantage in the fitness industry through superior stage presence.

Her love of fitness began when she started stealing her father’s muscle magazines. Montes aspired to look like the women she saw in the ads and competition photos. While working full-time as a make-up artists and esthetician, Shelsea still made the gym her priority. One day she was approached by a reputable personal trainer, “Are you a competitor? Your physique is dead on.” She knew it was time to make her dream a reality.

August of 2008 Shelsea competed at the Capital of Texas Roundup in her hometown Austin as a figure competitor and placed 2nd. In March of 2009 she won 1st in her class and 1st overall in figure at the West Texas Classic. Two months later she decided to change gears and set her sites on the new bikini division. Shelsea competed in the first IFBB pro qualifier, the Jr. USA's. Montes then became the very first IFBB bikini pro after competing in Charleston, South Carolina.

Shelsea’s love of fitness drove her towards becoming a NASM certified personal trainer so that she could help others achieve their fitness goals. She has already begun training competitors who aim for professional status.

In August 2009 she signed with FMG and also started training with four-time fitness Olympia champion, Adela Garcia. Since August her body has transformed and she is waiting to present her new and improved physique at her pro debut during the Europa Super Show in Orlando Florida this coming April.