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OSI agent wins awards in bodybuilding show

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Munoz
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

“The meaning of life, for me, is to do things that make me feel rewarded, happy and help others,” said Special Agent Melanie Finch, Office of Special Investigations Detachment 805, F. E. Warren Air Force Base.

In order to fulfill this meaning, Finch has been working with her trainer for a long time to compete in her first bodybuilding show. On April 16, 2022, she participated in the National Physique Competition Northern Colorado Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini, Physique and Classic Physique Championships in Denver. 

“It’s crazy to finally be here because I’ve been waiting for this moment for two years,” said Finch. “I’ve seen some of my other friends compete, and I’m so glad it’s finally my turn.”

Her efforts resulted in three first-place awards, including the True Novice Women’s Wellness Division, Novice Class B Women’s Wellness Division and Open Class C Women’s Wellness Division. She also earned second place in the Overall Women’s Wellness Division. 

Finch’s athletic journey started at a young age.

She played softball for 14 years, wrestled, and took an Olympic-style weightlifting class in high school. Finch enjoys the individualism granted from bodybuilding and competing in shows since she can tailor her routine around her work schedule as an OSI agent.

Finch works with her unit to conduct criminal, fraud and counterintelligence investigations across the missile complex, which encompass Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. Through her fitness efforts, it is easy to say she is fit to fight anywhere in the tri-state area. 

She expresses her appreciation for bodybuilding as a hobby since the sport is easily accessible.

“Competing is great because you can do it 24/7,” said Finch. “Individual competition is nice because you’re worried about yourself, so it’s not like you have to get up and go to practice. You can do it from anywhere around the world.”

Finch describes her lifestyle of dieting, working out and competing as being “so different” from any other lifestyle. She expanded on her diet by saying that the diet itself is basic, but requires a constant commitment.

“You eat more times in a day than people normally do,” said Finch. “You can go out and do stuff, but you’re not going to be able to eat what everyone else is eating. You really need to be conscious about how much and when. Of course, making time for the gym can take precedence over other things.”

Finch added that the satisfaction gained from maintaining this lifestyle is worth the mental, emotional and physical energy invested. After keeping her eyes on the prize to experience a weight-loss transformation, she feels “super rewarded” to see her results.

From working out to competitions, Finch feels gratification for her efforts not only from competition wins but through the people she gets to interact with.

“It helps other people because I’ve had a lot of other women reach out to me wanting to have a weight-loss goal or compete,” said Finch. “It really inspires me. People will say ‘It’s really cool what you’re doing. I respect that and it motivated me to start my journey.’ I love hearing that from other people.”