Bodybuilding competitor, fitness model, and business owner MIKAYLA CUSTANCE is on a mission to help others improve their health and physical longevity…
Welcome to MAXIM, Mikayla. Nice portfolio-style shoot.
Thanks. This photo shoot was shot in Vancouver, Canada. I normally do lots of fitness-style shoots, so for this one I wanted to show more of my sexier, softer side, and MAXIM was a big inspiration for it.
Give us a little more background about yourself and life story so far.
I grew up in a small town called Gibsons, just outside of Vancouver, Canada. I lived on a farm and started riding horses at just nine months old – my parents held me on my first pony. My mum says, “she just never got off”. I even competed in local horse shows and eventually advanced to the competitive sport of Three-Day Eventing. Being involved in competition at this high level, my mum decided to hire a personal trainer to improve my overall strength, conditioning and endurance – and to ensure that I had the competitive edge I needed to be truly successful.
So, this is how you got into competitive bodybuilding and fitness modelling?
Yes, it was this very training that ignited my love and passion for fitness and training. I stepped onstage in a bodybuilding competition for the first time and haven’t looked back since! I continue to compete, fitness model and pride myself in helping others improve their health with weight loss, physical longevity, and athletic performance as the owner and founder of MikaylaFit.
What is your best asset?
My best assets are being humble, not taking myself too seriously and having a good sense of humour – life is too short to be so serious. Physically, I get a lot of compliments on my legs.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
As much as I love being onstage, doing photo shoots and events, I’m pretty low key for the most part. If you ever run into me, I’m normally in a hoodie with little to no make-up and spend my Friday nights watching murder mystery documentaries with my bulldog.
How does your ideal date night go down?
Well, when I’m not in prep for a show, I’m always down for a good dinner out. I’m pretty much down for anything and I’m happy when I don’t have to be the one to plan – LOL!
What can we get you at the bar?
Diet Coke? LOL. I hardly ever drink, but I do like a good mojito occasionally.
Describe your ideal man.
Someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty, hard-working, loyal and has a good sense of humour.
What have you learned about men over the years?
I think there is a big stigma that “men suck” or are “toxic” and yes, I have encountered a few, but over the years men have been some of my biggest supporters, motivators, coaches and helped me be where I am today. I’ve learned there are still some great men out there and we shouldn’t label them all from one bad encounter.
What’s one thing men should always remember about women?
You can’t hide anything from us – LOL!
Who is your girl crush?
Megan Fox – I mean have you seen her? She is often an inspiration when it comes to certain photo shoots.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon you can share with us?
I plan on competing again in 2024, with a few more photo shoots this winter, and I do have a few other business projects, but I can’t share yet. So, you will have to wait and see!
Finally, where would you like to be in five years?
Continuing with my business, have a few more competitions under my belt, modelling more and travelling to new places.
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Mikayla Custance
BORN: August 25
HOMETOWN: Gibsons, British Columbia, Canada
FIVE-WORD SELF DESCRIPTION: “Confident, ambitious, caring, disciplined, thoughtful.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game!”
INSTAGRAM: @mikayla_custance
Photography by Karolina Turek
For the full article grab the November 2023 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
