Tan — check. Wafted hair — check. Sparkling smile — check. Definition in every muscle — check. Trainer and nationally-ranked figure model Meaghan Faragasso is just one of many women who annually train for a beauty pageant unlike any other — one that combines the physique of a body builder and the poise of a runway model. It’s called fitness modeling, and on March 20 Faragasso competed in the San Diego Bodybuilding, Figure and Bikini Championships held at the Scottish Rite Event Center where she placed among the top contenders. “We’re finding a balance between being super muscular and being super feminine,” Faragasso said about her passion. For Faragasso, figure modeling is the perfect parallel for her life’s aspirations — staying healthy and being happy. A former athlete who suffered from anorexia and depression, Faragasso turned to figure modeling following a near-death experience. Now, this aspiring model and fitness instructor competes yearly while training others toward meeting a similar goal — that of maintaining a healthy body while still looking feminine. Owner of Fit by Faragasso and also a trainer at Aventine’s Sporting Club, this San Diego local found definition not just in her body when she began training as a fitness model, but in her life. In order to train and compete, athletes must live a very disciplined life — from closely-monitoring their diet to daily fitness activities. The result is a lifelong change, as Faragasso has personally demonstrated . “It changed my life, it changed my faith,” she said, adding that the individuals she trains notice a difference in their confidence as well as with any health issues. Citing that most Americans have some type of “obsession with food,” either through bingeing or withdrawal, it keeps most from living a healthy lifestyle. With her “emotional coaching,” as she deems it, she promises each of her fitness clients “life will turn for the better.” By sharing her story — though she admits she hasn’t looked back since the day she opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital bed with family preparing for her death due to her battles with anorexia and depression — she does catch glimpses of the future. Expanding her brand Fit by Faragasso is one such avenue she sees in the future, while also “inspiring as many people on as broad of a scale as possible,” she said. Thanks to the rigorous exercise and diet schedule, she hasn’t turned rock hard like her body, but rather the opposite, finding herself more compassionate — and, to her, the results are not just visible when she is wearing a bikini.