SEQUIM — Callie Marunde began her life in Sequim five years ago, when her husband, the internationally known World’s Strongest Man competitor Jesse Marunde, brought her back to his hometown.

On June 10, 2007, Callie gave birth to their daughter, Jessica Joy.

Six weeks later, Jesse suffered a massive heart attack during a workout and died. He was 27, the victim of a genetic heart defect.

Today, Callie Marunde, a fitness-contest competitor since long before she met Jesse, must draw on another kind of strength, to move through life without her mate.

Jesse has been gone for almost two years — yet he’s here, Marunde said, in his extended family members, in photographs and letters, and most of all as a force of inspiration.

“After losing Jesse, my whole life is a struggle: Everything I do, from getting out of bed in the morning to making the right nutrition choices to creating a healthy environment for my child,” Marunde said on a recent afternoon at her home just outside Sequim.

“Nothing is different,” she added, “except his physical absence. My standard of excellence in parenting, in personal relationships, personal goals — nothing has changed.”

Marunde and J.J. are a blond, blue-eyed, fit pair who, on their daily walks, could stop traffic. To a stranger, they look as carefree as any mom and toddler.

But Marunde, at 29, has a steely determination behind her fitness-competition smile.

Marunde has been competing in fitness and figure contests for nine years now, and has no plans to back off. Instead, she has made it her mission to set an example of healthful living, for her daughter, for the women who come to her for personal training and for other single mothers.

Children are faced with temptation every waking hour: candy, fatty fast food, television and computer screens that immobilize the body.

“It’s probably even harder for adults,” Marunde said, “with all that money that is spent to trick people into buying things.

“That’s the hardest thing for me as a trainer, making my clients realize all of the fallacies” inherent in marketing and advertising of packaged foods.

“I’m a big fan of whole foods. If you can pick it, if you can grow it, you should eat it,” Marunde said, adding that she and J.J. live on fresh produce, whole grains and lean meat and fish.

“You only have one body,” she’s fond of saying.

Marunde also believes in moderation, not deprivation.

Her advice for her personal-training clients and anyone who wants to be in good shape: “Eat.”

And when it comes to lifting weights, “a little bit goes a long way,” to prevent osteoporosis and sculpt Michelle Obama-esque arms.

On Saturday, she will compete in the Natural Bodybuilding Championships in Vancouver, Wash., and then in the Emerald Cup, another competition in Bellevue. Also competing were two of her clients, Laurie Joslin and Leticia Swanson, both of Sequim.

Marunde said a key to feeling fine as she steps before the judges, wearing only muscles and a bikini: Don’t “cheat” on a meal by slipping yourself a little sweet treat, and don’t miss a meal.

For the past seven months, Marunde has also served as a personal trainer to staff and volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club in Sequim.

Stephen Rosales, a volunteer, and staff member Stacy Ceder embarked on a contest last August inspired by “The Biggest Loser,” a weight-loss and fitness reality TV show. Rosales and Ceder have dropped 50 pounds each, Marunde said, and they’ve brought regular exercise back into their lives.

‘Biggest Loser’

Earlier this month, Marunde heard that TV’s “Biggest Loser” is seeking trainers to join the show’s cast. She sent in an audition video and hopes to hear from the producers next month.

She is also producing a set of workout DVDs to be unveiled this spring at events including the May 8 Jesse Marunde Invitational, a strongman contest held every year during the Sequim Irrigation Festival.

Spring and summer are the strongman and -woman contest seasons, and Marunde will be competing as she has done for almost a decade. And now she travels with J.J., with her goal of work-life balance at the front of her mind.

“The most important things are dedication and consistency. There are no short cuts,” Marunde said, citing a favorite quotation: “There’s no short cut to anywhere worth going.”

“After you have a baby, your body changes, but there’s no reason you can’t be in the best shape of your life. I’m in better shape now than I was before I had J.J.,” she said.

“Being a single mother is hard. But it’s not an excuse for living an unhealthy lifestyle.”

Make exercise a priority, and let your children in on it; enjoy fresh air together, even if it means wearing three or four layers.

Marunde’s daily plan includes an hourlong walk with her daughter; in winter that means J.J. rides in the jogging stroller, swaddled in blankets and a heating pad.

Marunde’s career development includes turning professional, competing in fitness contests and continuing to work as a personal trainer.

“Living in Sequim, you really can get focused in on your training. In my studio, it’s like a covert operation,” she said.

When Marunde and her clients emerge to enter fitness and figure competitions in Las Vegas, California and beyond, “Everyone says, ‘Whoa.'”

“I enjoy the challenge of taking my body to the next level.”

Marunde also loves sharing with her daughter the joys of fresh air, strolling country roads and watching eagles, hawks and ducks cross the sky.

And though Marunde isn’t a native of this place — she met Jesse while earning her exercise science degree at Ohio University — Sequim is home. Her husband’s parents and maternal grandparents, George and Pat Farren, have enfolded her and J.J., as have the members of the Sequim Community Church.

“I have boxes of cards, thousands of them,” expressing sympathy after Jesse’s death. Many were sent by church members.

“Jesse’s family is my family. They are just as much a part of me as they were of him,” she added.

When asked her hopes for the future, Marunde looked at her little girl, who was waiting patiently, sort of, for her mother to finish talking.

“I hope that I can set an example for her, that she can learn moderation, spirituality and physical fitness. If I can provide the tools, she can make the decisions,” she said, adding that J.J., at a little over 21 months, is already a decisive person.

“She tells me what she wants for lunch, and she tells me if she doesn’t want to take a nap,” Marunde said.

With that, Mom and J.J. got ready for a walk in the afternoon sun.