After a 25-year break from competition, former fitness athlete and current president of the Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA), Audrie Allwood, is making an inspiring return to the stage. The 59-year-old, one of Jamaica’s most successful fitness athletes, will be competing in the Wellness Category, proving that age is just a number.
Allwood’s decision to return to competition was sparked by a conversation with her friend Jeremy Owens just two weeks ago. Owens, recognizing her enduring passion and remarkable physique, encouraged her to step back onto the competitive stage. The idea, which she had previously brushed off, suddenly felt right.
“We were just sitting outside, and Jeremy—who owns Tough Fitness—looked at my picture and said, ‘You need to make a comeback. You’re looking so good, and people need to see what’s possible at any age.’ At first, I laughed, but then it just hit me. I’ve had people telling me for years that I should come back, and suddenly, I realized—I actually want to do this,” Allwood shared.
Allwood has long been a force in the strength and fitness world. She is a three-time Caribbean Lightweight Champion, a three-time Miss Jamaica Bodybuilding and Fitness Champion, and a two-time Miss Florida Champion. She was also invited to the World Games in 1997 and was once the only Jamaican female competing at the international level.
Standing just 5 feet 2 inches tall, she has proven time and again that true strength is not measured by height but by determination and discipline. Now, as she prepares for her return, she is embracing the challenge of transitioning into the Wellness Category—a departure from her bodybuilding roots.
“I’m not even going back into bodybuilding,” she explained. “Wellness is a different transformation, and I’m excited about it. The sport has evolved, and there are more categories now that suit different physiques. I always had the build for Wellness, so this feels like the right fit.”
Allwood, who was recently re-elected as JABBFA president for another four-year term, is taking on this personal challenge while continuing to lead Jamaica’s bodybuilding and fitness community. As the CEO of Fit Farm Fitness Club, she has dedicated her life to transforming others, and now she is turning that expertise onto herself.
Her comeback will not be on local soil, as she plans to compete internationally. She has already set her sights on the Ms. Universe competition in Europe, with additional events planned for September and October.
“I’m looking at Ms. Universe in Europe, and I’m also considering another competition in October and one in September. I’m still going through the calendar, but those are my main targets,” she revealed.
“I’ve only been training seriously for two weeks, but my diet, my focus—everything is locked in. I’ll be documenting my journey on social media, showing the transformation in real-time,” she said.
For Allwood, this comeback is about more than just competing; it’s about inspiring others, particularly women, to embrace fitness at any stage of life.
“I want to show women that it’s never too late to take on new challenges. You don’t have to stop just because you took a break or because you think you’re too old. Fitness is about transformation, and that’s my passion—helping people change their lives,” she said.
As she prepares for her long-awaited return, the excitement surrounding her comeback is palpable.
“People are stopping me on the road, asking me when I’m coming back. Now that they know, they’re even more excited than I am!” she laughed.
With her experience, discipline, and renewed passion, Audrie Allwood is set to make a powerful statement when she steps back onto the competition stage—showing the world that strength, resilience, and determination know no age limits.