Montgomery County Community College graduate Heidi Quimby has encountered a magnitude of obstacles in her 51 years that most don’t experience in a lifetime. The death of her father at age nine and the loss of three immediate family members over the past three years alone, are but a page in Quimby’s life story, one that is equal parts tragic and inspiring.

The award-winning bodybuilder and author also adds recovering drug addict and divorcee to her breadth of life experiences, but it has been her success in overcoming tragedy that has ultimately shaped Quimby’s life.

Despite one obstacle after another being placed before her, she no longer lets them get in the way of her life’s ambitions, but it hasn’t always been that way.

“My life was pretty upside down for a good, long while,” Quimby said.

It was 14 years ago when Quimby, a mother of four boys, set pen to paper to start a therapeutic journey of her life that transpired into her memoir, “The Wedge Between Us: Removing the obstacles from my life…,” published in 2014 and available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.

“It’s about someone who can come from nothing and rise up and become something,” she said. “The book is where my life has been – it’s about removing obstacles between you and what you desire most.”

The book served to help her process her grief, pain and life struggles.

“The book was a purging,” Quimby said. “It was drudging up the past and bringing it all back to the surface.”

Magnitude of life experiences

In addition to the magnitude of her life experiences that sets her apart from many others, Quimby was older than most MCCC students when she decided to pursue her Personal Training Certificate in 2017 while in her late 40s.

“I was looking to further my education as I always am,” she said. “I’m a student of life always and forever.”

A decade prior, Quimby, who lives in Ambler, Montgomery County, had been competing in the body building arena since age 40 when she reached a crossroads.

“I won my pro card in 2013 and I kind of felt like I was working out, made it to the stage, won first place and was in a position to make money competing,” she said. “Then I decided, ‘I need to transfer some of these skills to help other people do the same’.”

Quimby was used to others asking her for advice given her success in bodybuilding, so getting her Personal Training Certificate seemed like the obvious next step in her professional fitness career.

She said she was very impressed by MCCC’s new fitness center at the time and set out to begin her studies, but she soon experienced a shift in her thinking after beginning the program.

“It was after the first semester when January rolled around that I realized what I came here to do isn’t what I actually wanted to do,” Quimby said. “It was only from coming there that I realized what I really wanted to do.”

Eight dimensions of wellness

It dawned on her that she didn’t want to be ‘pulling pins’ for people or counting their reps as a personal trainer. This epiphany came to her after attending the course, Personal Health and Wellness.

“I had a class about the eight dimensions of wellness, and it rocked me,” she said. “I thought, ‘oh my God, there are so many dimensions of wellness,’ but while I was aware of them, I never really pondered them.”

She credits MCCC for bringing her to this realization that she refers to as an ‘academic ascension.’

“If I had not gone to Montco, I don’t know if I would have come into that realization – that aha moment – that knowing – that awakening,” she said. “Montco afforded me a fresh perspective, and it revealed an opportunity to consider looking at different aspects of future employment.”

She began an introspection process that ended up expanding her horizons beyond working at the local gym.

“I realized I’m only a few steps away from getting an associate’s degree in Exercise Science and Wellness and then the door opens up for all of these four-year colleges,” she said. “Montco partners with everyone – it’s awesome and the people there are incredible.”

Quimby credits MCCC ESW Professor Anne Livezey and ESW Associate Professor Amanda Wooldridge for supporting her on her journey. “Without these two amazing women helping and encouraging me, I’m not sure how I would’ve made it through to graduation.”

Livezey discussed the ways in which Quimby embraced her experience, which made her a standout in the program.

“Her passion was a lot of it, her perseverance, persistence, and her energy comes through in everything she does,” Livezey said. “She can talk to anybody and motivate anybody.”

Practicum internship

During her practicum internship, Livezey explained how Quimby developed a virtual personal training program for clients.

“She made a whole reference of exercises for clients there and individual videos of how to do each exercise.”

Livezey said she could see Quimby becoming a wellness coach one day.

“Bringing in the personal training, but also the mental and spiritual,” Livezey said. “Bringing in the eight dimensions of wellness to help clients.”

As for Quimby, she isn’t exactly sure of what awaits her professionally at the end of her academic path, but is open to continuing to allow the mystery to unfold as she has her sights set on getting an associate degree in Exercise Science and Wellness at MCCC. This semester she’s taking three out of the six courses she has remaining to receive her degree.

“That’s what Montco did for me – the people there, the teachers, the networking – it’s a stepping-stone for those seeking higher education,” Quimby said. “It opened doors and put me in a place I would not have otherwise been if I didn’t go.”

Prior, she received an associate degree in Business Administration from a college in Maine, where she lived previously.

“My life changed when I went to college,” she said. “I cleaned up my act and then I attracted a healthy relationship – I’ve been married for 19 years now.”

Comfortable on a stage

One place Quimby knows she’s comfortable is on a stage, so that is one place she sees that she might be able to make an impact with her career beyond bodybuilding and personal training.

“I want to do something in the speaking arena,” she said. “I want to talk to people and tell them where I’ve been, and my story and I hope it will help inspire even one person – maybe a female like myself.”

Quimby said that when she was in her youth, she could have used a role model like the one she hopes to be for others.

“As a youth, I was lost and didn’t have someone to come along and tap me on the shoulder and say, ‘OK, you will get through this and you’re worthy’,” she said. “So many stay in trapped relationships and you can rise up.”

Help people help themselves

Quimby learned she wants to help people help themselves and be empathetic to others.

“The saving grace here was Montco -- it allowed me that platform,” she said. “I thought I was here for me, with what I wanted to do with my body – the physicality of it all – but I didn’t realize how deep the realm of wellness was.”

Quimby said she now sees the world as her oyster.

“I can do way more by touching other people rather than just focusing on myself,” she said. “This isn’t about me – it’s about what I can do to help you and what can I do to give back.”

She wants to be instrumental in helping people get to a good place.

“Nobody should have to live in the dark, depressed and feeling trapped,” she said.

 Quimby, who has developed a strong faith through her life experiences, encourages others to take advantage of what life offers.

“The blessings are around the corner and if you don’t go to the party, you’re not going to get the blessing.”