Natalie Common sweeps OCB Syracuse stage, read the INTERVIEW, see the GALLERY
By Andrew Harris
A great success story from an Allegany County native who just won three first place medals at an OCB fitness competition in Syracuse NY. We caught up with Natalie Common to talk about winning big in her first competition ever!!
Wow, congrats Natalie on this accomlishment!! Could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself ?
I grew up in Belmont and went to Genesee Valley Central School, graduating in 2009 from high school and from Cosmetology. Today I work at Salon Visage in Wellsville after recently moving back to the Wellsville area the past July after a quick year and a half away. Home really is where the heart is! I started training 22 weeks out from the show and started working with a trainer at 15 weeks out.
First, a big congratulations!! Could you detail which competition you entered, what events you competed in, and what were the results.
Natalie: I entered the OCB New York Natural. I entered 3 divisions- 1. Debut ( first show and never competed before) 2. Novice (open to any competitor that has never placed first,) and 3. the Open,, with Pro Card eligibility.
I won all three classes winning me my pro card at my first show !!!
Tell us about your personal fitness journey. If you can pinpoint one “spark” that lit a fire please explain? When did you decide to pursue professional competition?
Natalie: I was always into fitness from a young age. I did gymnastics growing up and I remember training for hours in the gym before and after the actual practice. As I got older I tried softball, basketball, cheerleading and did volleyball from 7th-12th grade. I actually wanted to do a show like this starting from over 10 years ago. I went to Emily Waite’s first competition and once I saw her and the other girls on stage with the sparkly bikinis and the glamorous hair and makeup I knew I wanted to be on that stage one day ! When I moved back to the area in July it just felt like a fresh start and the perfect time to start training for something I had dreamed about for so long.
Our friends at JB’s Family Fitness say you train seven days a week at the gym. Tell us more about the daily routine that achieved this success? Why has JB’s been an important part of your success ?
Natalie: So I was working out 7 days a week but only the last two weeks! My typical week was 6 days a week with weight training then cardio which got longer as the competition grew closer. Everyone at JB’s is always friendly and owner Bob was always checking in to see how much time I had left! I love being able to train when I want with 24/7 hours.
You have had a personal trainer helping prepare you for the competition. Explain why that made a difference and give a shout out to your trainer.
Natalie: So Jenny Chan my trainer wrote my entire meal plan and workouts 6 days a week for 15 weeks. I realized I had to eat a lot more than I thought I needed to especially at first! I ate every 3 hours up until the day of the competition! Mostly consisting of chicken rice and broccoli. I took weekly progress photos and measurements and she adjusted when she thought we needed to.
After the recent win, you announced that you had earned professional status. How does that work?
Natalie: Everyone at an OCB show takes a polygraph test the night before the show to prove you are not on any enhancement drugs on their banned substance list. Every first place winner will then take a urinalysis following their win to confirm and in a few weeks I will have a pro status card allowing me to enter only pro shows now. The biggest OCB show their “Super Bowl” if you will is called the Yorton Cup and is in September 2026. I’m thinking take a short break, go big and do that show in North Carolina sept 2026
Being a professional now, does that open the door to a new career with sponsors?
Natalie: I hope so! if anyone wants to reach out about sponsoring me going forward I would love the opportunity to talk with them. NatalieCommon@yahoo.com 🙂
Speaking of careers, you are a popular beauty and hair stylist. What role did that play in your success and how do people find you ?
Natalie: I absolutely LOVED the morning of getting ready for the show. Bigger than average hair, bolder makeup and the most sparkles! I do a lot of weddings and photoshoot hair and makeup but I would love to look into doing show makeup. Such an exciting day. I work at Salon Visage in Wellsville and my website is NatalieCommon.square.site
Speaking of the stage, you are the lead singer in a popular WNY band, “Timmy and the Kids?” How did being a frontwoman and performer impact this recent success?
My friends and family know I don’t mind being center of attention. Being up on stage without the band was definitely different! I usually have all my guys there by my side and I’m never nervous at gigs but the first time stepping on stage for the show, nerves that I’ve never felt before ran through my body and I was actually shaking on stage! The second and third time was better but it was such an adrenaline rush I honestly can’t wait for the next one.
Photo by Lynsey LaLonde
Where can people see you perform next ?
We have a gig New Year’s Eve at Union Whiskey in Olean! 8-11pm
This sort of accomplishment takes confidence. Are you just naturally fearless or did you build your confidence like a muscle?
Natalie: I’ve always loved being on stage but of course there is a fear that comes with it, especially at first. The more you get in front of people and just go for what you want to do you’ll get better and better. I still remember the first time I got on a stage with Jason Marsden during Covid at Open Mic at the Wellsville Creative Arts Center. No one was really performing that night and Jason Called me out and said “hey she sings!” I was so nervous but I got up there and sang and it wasn’t perfect. But I went back every few weeks and I feel like that little stage will always have a special place in my heart.
No one just “sweeps the stage” and “goes pro” on the first try without support. Who are the crew that pushed you, encouraged you, and supported your success ?
Natalie: I hands down have some of the best friends a girl could ask for. My girls Mallory, Tonya and Danielle. They were there that day in the audience cheering me on i never felt so much love and appreciation and just proud that those were my people there for me! Mallory and Tonya were there on the daily checking in on me and especially when things got tough were right there to pick me back up. I couldn’t have done it without them.
What is next for this new OCB Professional ?
Natalie: I’ll be enjoying some foods I’ve missed out on training the last 22 weeks… but get right back to a clean diet soon and staying on track with my training. In a “reverse diet” I’ll be every week adding in more carbs and fats again for energy and hormone recovery. I definitely fell in love with the sport and will be back on the stage in 2026.
