"Audrey and I had been over photos from the Wanganui competition and we had decided how I would be best to pose for the judges in the hope of gaining a better outcome," Crafar said.
Going back to last year when her diet and exercise were monitored to get her on track, Crafar said the whole process had been life-changing. Bodybuilding had always appealed but there was hesitation before she opted to go for it.
"Thinking about getting up in front of hundreds of people in a 'barely-there' bikini when you were very recently quite overweight does make your mind think about the 'what if's'.
"What if I'm not lean enough in comparison with other competitors? What if I get really scared and freeze on stage or what if I make a fool of myself?
"Casting doubt aside and moving to a positive mind set of wanting to do this for myself, I started training."
The rest of O'Keefe's team - Kirsty Harvey, Courtney Harvey and Michaela Sullenberger - constantly helped the first-timer and encouraged Crafar to push herself.
"It was the most scary but exciting experience," she said.
"All the other competitors were just amazing. I have never been part of a sport where your competition is so inspirational, positive and encouraging."
In Wanganui, Sullenberger won the Teen Physique, Kirsty Harvey placed second in the Novice Physique Tall, Courtney Harvey claimed the Fitness routine prize as the sole entrant to give a choreographed dance display, and O'Keefe was third in the Figure.
A week later in Taranaki, Kirsty Harvey was third in Novice Physique Tall, while O'Keefe again was third in Figure.
Crafar said she could not thank her mentor O'Keefe enough "for showing me the light and helping me to achieve my amazing transformation".
She will next compete in Hawke's Bay on July 12.
