Nunavut bodybuilder winning medals and hoping to lift Inuit in the process

CBC

14-06-2025

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Diane Marin has always been determined.
From a young age, the Inuk competed in sports in high school and university before finding bodybuilding in her late twenties.
"I've always had such a passion for health and fitness, especially weightlifting," Marin said.
Marin, 31, was raised in Rankin Inlet and Yellowknife before moving to Alberta for school. She has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and now is studying massage therapy.
She said she found bodybuilding a couple of years ago "and fell in love with it."
Preparing for a bodybuilding competition takes anywhere from 16 to 20 weeks, Marin said. That means weighing and measuring all of her food, making sure she's doing a certain amount of cardio everyday, along with specific workouts.
It also means no cheat meals — Marin says she went 16 weeks without one during this last competition.
"It's almost like a job," she said.
She competed in Red Deer, Alta. at the end of May, coming in third in the bikini category of the competition.
"I really tested myself and improved a lot," she said.
'I love pushing myself'
Even in her off season the rest of the year, Marin doesn't slow down. She's still training and eating well before she throws herself into another multi-month preparation phase.
"I love it. It takes a lot of discipline and determination," she said. "I love challenging myself, I love pushing myself."
"I find it very satisfying when I'm capable of hitting every check mark in a book of what I need to do every day, day after day for 16 weeks."
Marin's mom and her best friend also flew in to watch her compete. Both sat in the front row.
Marin's mother, Rachel Aliyak, wipes away tears as she talks about her daughter.
"I'm very proud of her. She's really good. I wish you could all see her," Aliyak said.
She said her daughter has always been focused.
"Diane was very determined. She was very helpful," Aliyak said.
She said she watched in awe over the last few months as her daughter followed a strict diet and training regimen.
"It was hard to say 'oh, I'm going for a large plate of fries or a pizza,'" Aliyak said.
This was also her first time watching the competition in-person.
"There's a lot of muscle. A lot of muscular people in one room," she said. "You can't be shy to do this kind of event … but it also shows how much work these athletes put into it."
Marin said she hopes other young Inuit get excited about working out and living a healthy lifestyle.
"Just try your best, have fun doing it. Work out, get moving and enjoy what you do," Marin said. "Only good things come from health and fitness. You feel better, you have better days."
Marin said she's seen few Indigenous athletes compete in bodybuilding, let alone Inuit.
"I don't know any Inuit other than me who's a bodybuilder," she said. "With these Inuit genetics, you can build muscle really quick. We're pretty strong."
And for her post-competition meal?