Meet Our Plant-Based Ambassador Bridget Freeman!
Bulk Ambassador Bridget Freeman is a wife, mum, small business owner, employee and a multiple-time national and international figure and physique champion: how does she do it all?!
Bridget first competed in 1996, so she’s seen her share of fitness fads come and go.
She's spent the last three years as the President of ICN Tasmania, putting on bodybuilding shows to support other natural athletes in achieving their dreams.
Check out her profile below to see how this vegan mum does it all!
Hiya, I'm Bridget!
I am a wife, mum, dog and cat mum, weight-lifting enthusiast! I'm 54 years old, and I've been vegan for six years now.
Over the last 10-15 years I’ve enjoyed a highly successful career in natural bodybuilding, winning many states, national and international titles over many years with several different drug-tested federations.
This culminated in 2016 when I won a coveted Pro Card and then a Pro Physique World Title in Budapest. I’m an athlete who’s very proudly achieved this success without any drug use whatsoever.
Recommendations
These are some of the Bulk Nutrients products I use and recommend. I love that Bulk Nutrients offer so many plant-based options!
Earth Protein - Vegan Protein
Why I love it: It is thick and delicious and the macros are fantastic. Being vegan it is extremely important to me that I stick to my ethics but still keep my protein intake sufficient for my goals.
How I use it: I basically have dessert for breakfast or post-workout by mixing my Earth Protein with mixed berries, oat bran, green fusion, tri fibre and some apple crumble flavoured cereal! I also take it in a shake any time of day if I need an extra protein hit.
My go-to choice is 1kg Choc Honeycomb
Green Fusion
Why I love it: I endeavour to always have 'green' with every meal but it's a bit harder when you like sweet things like I do! But by adding Green Fusion to my post-workout or smoothies I know I am getting all the wonderful antioxidant benefits of Spirulina, Barley Grass, Wheat Grass, and Chlorella - things I wouldn't get normally! Since taking Green Fusion I have never had colds or flu!
How I use it: I mix it in my breakfast dessert bowl or in smoothies or shakes.
My go-to choice is 250g Raw (Unflavoured)
AM & PM Burner Pack - 24hr Formula
Why I love it: This product was a lifesaver for me when I was achieving my most shredded condition ever to win my Pro Card and then my World Title and it still helps me stick with my physique goals today by helping keep my water intake high and curbing my cravings and hunger.
How I use it: I add some to my water bottle and sip it throughout the day.
Intra Workout
Why I love it: I love this product for most of the same reasons I love BCAA Recovery and will interchange them at various times. I love that Intra Workout, as well as being a fantastic refreshing source of amino acids also includes glutamine which enhances muscle recovery and can also be of benefit during cold and flu season. I love that there are ZERO fats and very low cabs, it's just protein!
How I use it: I mix Intra Workout up with sparkling mineral water and add a slice of lemon or lime as an anytime treat, or just with plain water when I'm training.
My go-to choice is 750g Lemonade
Training Schedule
My training schedule is now very different than what it once was!
I train with weights three times a week, down from the eight times a week I did when I was competing.
Mondays are leg with a squat focus - both back squats and front squats, Wednesdays are upper body with shoulders and triceps focus, and Fridays are legs with a deadlift focus.
I use a variety of set and rep ranges and will throw in supersets, abs, glutes and back exercises depending on time and how I feel. As I'm getting older, my focus has switched from aesthetics when I was bodybuilding, and strength when I had a foray into powerlifting - and is now to be as independent as possible for as long as possible, and be able to get out, explore and go on adventures! I love hiking in our beautiful natural environment, walking my dogs, playing softball, time with my family and friends and supporting animal rescues.
My Approach to Nutrition
I have been vegan for about two years so I focus mainly on getting heaps of veggies and then adding in protein sources as well (Earth Protein in smoothies and bowls, BCAAs/Intra Workout, tofu etc).
I eat some form of 'green' at every single meal to make sure my body is constantly receiving nutrients. I don't meal prep but I do food prep, so I have prepared ingredients ready in my fridge that I just mix together in whatever way I feel like when it is meal time.
What is my average daily calorie intake? I'm guessing 1,500 but I don't count calories.
Foods I crave... Since finishing competing and going vegan my diet is so much more balanced and I no longer experience the overwhelming cravings I used to. I occasionally crave toast and have to limit the delicious vegan ice creams out there!
My ultimate cheat meal is... Vegan burger with sweet potato chips! Followed by vegan ice cream!
My Day on a Plate
My weekdays are all pretty much identical and roughly consist of...
Breakfast: Apple or berries with rolled oats, oat bran, flaxseed or chia seeds, Green Fusion and Earth Protein, mixed with water. And coffee!
During the day: If I'm training at lunch time I take Pre Workout 101, followed by BCAA Recovery. Lunch is heaps of veggies, tofu, hummus, curry paste and sometimes quinoa. If I'm hungry, my snacks are usually either a piece of fruit or salt and vinegar rice cakes. Sometimes there's a piece of toast and peanut butter in there, an extra coffee or two, and some dark chocolate...
Tea with the family: Same as lunch, or a soup or stir-fry.
Latest Results
Do you have any medium/long term goals you're working towards?
My medium goal is to be the best mum/wife/person I can be.
I want to show that being vegan doesn't mean you are weak or can't build or maintain muscle.
I want to grow my reach, particularly amongst mums who I believe are overwhelmed with advice but most of it is conflicting and requires too much time and energy to follow.
Have you had any exceptional results (in competitions or otherwise) in the last few years? Let us know what they are!
PNBA Pro, ICN Pro, PNBA Pro Physique World Champion, multiple times INBA Figure and Physique National and World Champion and multiple times ANB State and National Figure Champion.
I also won my recent Powerlifting Australia event. Plus I'm a Qualified Precision Nutrition Coach.
