Abbotsford’s Michelle Krack is helping to do something no one has done in Vancouver in nearly 40 years: put together an International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) pro show.
Krack, a full-time teacher at Abbotsford Virtual School and mother of two, is helping organize and promote the Vancouver Professional/Amateur & Expo to be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre July 25 to 26.
The born-and-raised Abbotsford girl will also be just one of two women to ever promote an IFBB-sanctioned event in the world.
The Vancouver event will showcase more than 65,000 square feet of exhibitors and stage performers, including top IFBB professionals competing for qualification into the Olympia — the mecca for bodybuilders — which will be held in Las Vegas this September.
“This is not just about bodybuilding,” Krack says. “I wanted to bring the world to Vancouver to see our fitness community.”
Krack was first hooked into the sport of bodybuilding in 2004, after a friend dragged her to an event. The Abbotsford teacher then started training for competition in spring 2006, just after she had her second child, Logan.
Six years and 10 competitions later, Krack obtained her IBFF pro card — an accreditation needed for amateurs to move up and compete with the world’s top bodybuilders.
Krack first got into promoting last year when she and her husband, Ullie Krack, put on the 2014 Krack Klassic. The inaugural event, held in New Westminster, featured over 200 competitors across multiple divisions for men and women.
But, it was an amateur event. Pro shows require much more, namely prize money.
“Pro shows are expensive. Total prize money must be a minimum of $50,000 U.S.,” says Krack.
Hence the need for support and sponsors, which she has amassed.
Krack was also torn between which side of the sport she prefers, the promoting or bodybuilding.
“Both are such different entities,” says Krack. “With bodybuilding, there’s personal pressure. With promoting there’s more expectation around you.
“There’s more weighing on you to get things off without a hitch. Pro associations are watching you and tons of exhibitors.”
The expo will feature model searches, and a powerlifting meet, along with performances by Aaron and Jordan Pritchett.
For more information, visit vancouverproshow.com.