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Montgomery County War Veteran Competes For Push-Up Princess Title

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On the CBS3 Health Watch, celebrating the beauty and power of women who serve in the military with a special competition. The winner gets a crown, but this isn't a traditional beauty pageant.

This is a competition where female veterans are judged on everything from poise and knowledge to strength and leadership. One of the contestants is a veteran, who's become a trainer with a gym in Montgomery County.

29-year-old Erica Walsh is training to win the title of 'Push-Up Princess'.

"I love challenge so anything that makes me kind of step outside my comfort zone," Erica said.

Erica, who is a trainer and owns Dub Fitness in King of Prussia, was in the army for 8 years. The vet has served at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq.

"It's scary at first, and then you get used to it," Erica said. "I just wanted to serve my country.

She did her time and is now a student at West Chester University. In her spare time she runs classes at her gym and they're pretty intense.

The vet doesn't really get tired and she's got a big heart.

"My life was almost too good and I felt like, you know how people get almost like survivors guilt? I had like my life's too good guilt," Erica said. "So I need to start giving back to the community."

Erica is among 120 service women competing for the title of Ms Veteran America.

"There is a ball gown part and I guess there's a part where they make you lace up your combat boots and that's where you do push-ups in combat boots," Erica said describing the contest.

The women will be judged on military knowledge, poise and personality.

"You can be glamorous but that's not what they're looking for," Erica said. There's no bikini competition, there's no kind of get your make up done look perfect kind of thing. We are your average Joes, we're G.I Janes."

Proceeds from the event help homeless women Veterans and their children.

"I want to help everybody else so when I saw this opportunity and it was raising money and awareness and bringing light to females that serve in the military. I was all about it and I'm all about girl power."

Erica is involved in a variety of events to help homeless vets. The competition is in October.

For more information on how you can get involved in the life of a vet, go to http://www.finalsaluteinc.org/ and https://www.crowdrise.com/ericawformsveteranam .

 

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