‘It’s become an addiction’: MDH nurse in the running for cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine

FIATT, Ill. (WGEM) – A local face could soon front the cover of a prominent fitness magazine. Following the death of her parents, McDonough District Hospital nurse Leslie Godfrey said she began searching for something to motivate her, and she landed in the fitness industry.

Four years ago, when her mother died, she began her fitness journey, which led her to become a candidate for the cover of Muscle & Fitness HERS magazine and the title of Ms. Health & Fitness.

“It showed up on my Facebook and I kind of thought, ‘I have that figure now, I’ll give it a shot,’” Godfrey said.

A few weeks later, Godfrey was notified that she’d been hand-selected to be in the running for the cover. Every week, International Federation of Body Building (IFBB) pro Whitney Jones sends messages to Godfrey and other candidates via an online dashboard as part of the processing stage. There, candidates are asked questions about their motivations and fitness life.

Godfrey’s motivation is her family. If she wins, the $20,000 grand prize would go to her sister who has ALS.

“There’s things that I could take care of myself, but she comes first,” Godfrey said.

3 a.m. is when the alarm clock goes off

Godfrey’s shift at McDonough District Hospital begins at 6:30 a.m. every day. Before that, she does her routine. Six days per week, Godfrey gets in at least one workout that lasts at least 30 minutes.

When she started her fitness journey four years ago, it began as a 15-minute YouTube video workout here and there. She was quickly ready for something more.

“When I started seeing my results, then now it’s become an addiction, it’s become something that just makes me feel untouchable,” Godfrey said.

Over the years, fitness expert and certified trainer Jillian Michaels has been one of Godfrey’s biggest celebrity role models.

Along with the daily workouts, Godfrey has challenged herself by running 5K races. She placed second in her first 5K near Lewistown, then first place in the Case Creek Obstacles 5K in Coal Valley, Ill. for women over 40 in 2022.

Godfrey turns 48 in two days but said she feels the best she’s ever felt.

With a little help from a friend

Godfrey isn’t alone in her fitness journey.

One of her closest friends is Grace Knapp, who also works at McDonough District Hospital. Knapp first met Godfrey nearly two years ago while working in the cafeteria.

“I always get excited to see her, I always give her a hug,” Knapp said.

Knapp helps Godfrey keep up with her nutrition throughout the day by fixing her meals. One day Knapp learned about Godfrey’s fitness regimen. After seeing Godfrey’s Facebook page, Knapp inquired more about her regimen.

“You wake up and you scroll through your social media in the morning usually, and there she is on there telling you, ‘keep going, keep your dreams going,’ and it’s something that motivates you to get up in the morning,” Knapp said.

Voting kicks off in early May for the magazine cover, with candidates finding out the results later this summer. Godfrey said she already feels like a winner.

“Even if I don’t win, I’m already a winner because I’m in this spot,” she said.

Copyright 2024 WGEM. All rights reserved.