About Pam
I had been a fairly athletic child. I involved myself in sports such as water skiing and gymnastics and had noticed that I was somewhat strong. You never realize what your strength may be needed for in the future, but it is a great foundation to start with. I found out shortly after my 1st husband and I were married that I would need that strength to carry my husband; literally. Young and energetic about life we were married and knew that life was full of opportunity. Then disaster struck and Jim was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 24. Long story short, he had surgery to remove it and it left him disabled. It took him a year to relearn how to walk and coordination and speech are items he still works on until this day. I stuck with him and supported him emotionally, financially, and physically.
During this tragic time I used food to cope. It was literally my ONLY pleasure. I think I had a love affair with the local mexican restaurant and their Ultimate Nachos! Brownies and cookies were my friend too. My once somewhat athletic body shifted to an obese body, topped with pregnancy and stretch marks. Looking in the mirror only made me more depressed and led me to eat more. This was the start of a vicious cycle of bingeing and dieting.
I had always had a fascination with the women bodybuilders from the 1980/90s. I had poured through muscle magazines in the early 1990s and thought maybe one day I could compete. I never really believed I could do it until I made a change back in 2000 when I read the book Body for Life. Believe it or not, I lost 100 pounds and competed in amateur bodybuilding after a year and a half of training.* I set out to win the Colorado State Title. It took me 3 years to do it and I got the Colorado State Bodybuilding Championship ring… a dream come true! Little did I know that I would not be able to maintain my physique.
Through an excruciating back injury that kept me out of the gym and having to cope with my hubby’s disability needs, I used excuses to not exercise and to eat poorly. My weight ballooned to 255 lbs on this 5′ 6″ frame. It shames me to admit I was even considering gastric bypass! I managed to get my back problem fixed with a surgical procedure. I gradually got back to the gym and managed to gradually reduce the quantity of food I was eating and lose 50 pounds over the course of 2 years. * I was VERY happy that I didn’t do it too fast as was able to modify lifestyle choices permanently. Then I was poking around on bodybuilding dot com and saw the 100K Dymatize challenge! I upped my game and started working harder in the gym and eating with more discipline. I finished the challenge so proud of my accomplishment! It was then that a bodybuilding friend mentioned an upcoming natural bodybuilding show in just three weeks from my after picture date! 
I decided it was time to make a comeback and compete again. Ten years from my last Colorado State victory, I took the Colorado state bodybuilding title again! I surely did not expect to win the title after just getting back into the sport.
Since this time life has twisted and turned with my 1st husband and I amicably deciding to pursue our own paths. I have stayed true to my goals and have competed as a Pro in the 2014 INBA/PNBA Team USA placing 2nd in the nation and the 2014 Pro Natural Olympia placing 4th in the world. More recently I have met a WONDERFUL man and we got married on March 30, 2017! Since then I’ve placed 2nd in the NPC Patriot’s Challenge in Women’s Physique and plan on competing in the NPC USA Nationals on June 28 and 29 of 2017.
*Note: Results may vary from person to person.
November 12, 2014 at 3:08 pm
WOW I was soooo excited to google you and find out that you are competing again in bodybuilding. I competed in my first show back in 2008 after completing breast cancer treatment. You were one of my inspiration photos when I was training. I wanted to compete in a natural show but was not able too, due to the anti-cancer medication I was on. I went on to do three more competitions but could never compete with the “big” girls. So I stopped. My husband and I moved to California three years ago and while I have recently attained my personal training certification and am teaching group classes at my own small gym space, I am not where I want to be physique wise. I was relieved to see that you also struggled with fluctuating weight/binge cycles and finding balance in general with food. I turned 50 this year and kept saying I was thinking about doing one more competition. Just yesterday I committed to competing in one in 2015 with one of my workout partners and I just sponsored you for your competition endeavors and to receive your training book. I CANNOT wait to get it. In the meantime I will be hunting you down on bodybuilding.com for advice on training and keeping balance with food post competition! WOOO HOOOOOOO. Congrats on your achievements this year!
January 25, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Cindi! Thank you for your kind note! My training book will be late. I will either refund your money or send you one late… your choice. Super proud of you for having your own gym. PERFECT!
November 9, 2014 at 6:12 am
I truly appreciate this blog.Thanks Again. Really Great.
October 16, 2014 at 8:53 am
Pam,
Was running errands in the Springs area and listening to the John, Jay and Rich show and they had people calling in about moments in their lives when they realized they were overweight. I heard your message and looked up your web site. Girl you have done a complete 180.!! Sorry to hear about the Divorce. But, continue on you life venture and sharing with others. You are a great inspiration to others. Thanks for calling in so that I and others could hear your inspiring message.
Sincerely,
Tater
January 25, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Thanks Tater! I’m finally getting around to updating my website. Hoping to share as much as possible and inspire as many as I can!
September 19, 2014 at 8:43 pm
G’day Pam
I just wanted to wish you well for your last week before your Pro debut. I could say the old thing about you being a winner by simply stepping on stage and after losing more than 100 pounds to get to this point you, more than most, know about winning in bodybuilding by simply stepping on stage but of course there’s more to it than that. I’m sure you’re doing this because you love it but I’m also sure you’d love to win too. Ok now I’m just rambling.
Either way, good luck and I hope your last week goes well for you and that, win or not, you thoroughly enjoy the experience(and a few photos or videos would be nice too). Please keep us all up dated on how you go.
Grego
August 25, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Do you have Facebook Pam?
August 25, 2014 at 9:21 pm
Yes, Pam Meinen Brown. I also have an Instagram Hedgieshred.
June 7, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Yes I do. Pam Meinen Brown
August 25, 2014 at 12:20 pm
What a story! Wow! Please keep sharing you are an inspiration to me.
August 25, 2014 at 9:18 pm
Thank you Nicole!
I’m launching some new things soon.
August 24, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Hey Pam,
The Website looks great. Thank you for continuing to share your progress and fitness life with us all.
You’re an awesome woman with a wonderfully inspiring story.
-Brian
braindeadnyc
August 24, 2014 at 10:50 pm
Thanks Brian! It was built by one of our own! My pal Dave Arnold aka phparray on bodyspace made this website for me. Look him up on bodyspace and/or xclusivesites.com if interested in web pages.
All the best,
Pam
July 24, 2014 at 3:23 pm
I’m completely speechless! You have been a person of inspiration to me for many years. I put your before and after pics on my elliptical and for years I would start a12 week challenge and never finish. But today with the help of Bill and Maria Phillips and inspirational people who have done this before and are willing to help by simply responding and giving words of encouragement I know I can do this! When I finish this you will be my first person to thank!
August 23, 2014 at 10:34 am
Debbie! Thank you so much! I am very excited to be continuing to inspire and motivate all types. It means the world to me!
June 11, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Hey Pam!
Voice from the past. I spent last weekend at Bill & Maria’s Transformation Camp in Golden. I saw an incredible picture of you and Bill at a special dinner and my eyes just jumped! You look AMAZING! You were my first inspiration and you continue to inspire me. I am starting my journey (again) and will be thinking of you and the sacrifices you made to get where you are.
Paul
August 23, 2014 at 10:35 am
Hey Paul! Oh wow! I am so happy that Bill and Maria wanted to put our photo up in their facility. He was the one who initially changed the way I think about working out and nutrition. I owe SO MUCH to Bill Phillips!
June 3, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Pam
Your perseverance is incredible.
You genuinely get better with age.
I value our friendship. Keep up
The training. And thanks for the
Protein recommendation.
Bruce
June 4, 2014 at 7:31 am
Thanks Bruce! Yes, I value our friendship as well. I guess I’m just like wine… better with age. LOL Hope to see you around!
May 30, 2014 at 11:36 am
Incredible story of strength within as well as out. These things forge us into the beings we are meant to be. You’ve got an awesome, sexy physique and it’s definitely a reflection of how awesome you are within.
June 1, 2014 at 6:59 am
Thank you for your kind comments! Now it is time to seize the day!
May 30, 2014 at 4:21 am
well its outstanding site for amazing lady
May 30, 2014 at 7:01 am
Thank you so much for your continual support my friend! Through thick and thin you’ve been there. <3
May 30, 2014 at 1:33 am
Pam, your story brought tears to my eyes. I know what it is like to take care of a sick husband. Thankfully mine is appreciative. He tries to support me as much as I have supported him. I hope you find love and friendship with someone who deserves you.
Thanks for opening up and sharing your story, Jeanne
May 30, 2014 at 7:00 am
Thank you Jeanne! I wish you well in your home life and more. Hoping the sick hubby’s situation is improving.
May 29, 2014 at 9:05 pm
So glad you have persevered Pammie! I am so proud of you! Keep inspiring people!
May 29, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Thank you Lana! I hope to continue the trend. Love hearing from you lady!
May 29, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Wow, just wow!
May 29, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Thank you KT!
May 29, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Pam your are my bodybuilding.com friend and you have slways inspired me but wow this story really got to me. How you picked yourself up from tragedy how you stood by your man how you perservered amazing. I will be checking in often .
May 29, 2014 at 11:36 pm
Thank you so much! Getting fit and healthy is the best decision I ever made. I look forward to seeing you around bb.com and this site.
May 29, 2014 at 6:15 pm
I first saw you on an episode of “I Lost It”, and I’ve followed you every since. I’ve always been encouraged by your determination. Your story is what led me to do a BFL challenge way back in the day. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors. You are truly an inspiring individual!
May 29, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Thank you so much Crystal! Through adversity, through life changes, one thing is constant… our desire to be fit and healthy. Keep that desire and you can truly live life to the fullest!
May 29, 2014 at 5:52 pm
Pam you have inspired me from the day I first saw your story. I still have that grainy little video of your talk when we met in Dallas. You make me believe I can do things I never thought I could achieve!! (((hugs)))
May 29, 2014 at 11:34 pm
I still remember doing that talk years ago. It gives me goosebumps to think about it! And WOW! What you have overcome and how you have inspired the masses as well makes my heart feel so full! I have a saying that I keep in my office… If I want to have an IMPACT, I Must Personally ACT!!
Keep it up lady! Love hearing from you!
May 29, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Pam, you have overcome adversity numerous times during your life. You can do it again. Dedication and a strong desire to be all you can be is evident. Another thing that comes to my mind is that you have worked at being in the best shape possible, and it was and is something that YOU want. You are not doing it for anyone else but yourself. I am beginning with that goal in my mind. I tried it years ago to try and be sexy for my woman, but realized that she just didn’t care one way or the other. So I stopped. After my heart attack June 2013, I began working out at the hospitals cardiology rehab center and found a new desire to get fit. I gain a lot of personal satisfaction and pride to see me now compared to what I was. Bottom line, hang in there, you are doing all the right things, keep working out, and go out there and win.
May 29, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Wow Joel! Coming back from a heart attack… that is something to be proud of! Kudos to you for setting your priorities and putting fitness and health at the top of the list.
May 27, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Pam,
A compelling account.
Thank you for telling it,
Robert
May 28, 2014 at 9:56 pm
Thank you Robert!