Beth Schneider Interview

I have just recently gotten to know Beth Schneider, but already am so impressed. Beth is an amazing woman who I get so much inspiration and motivation from. She is such a beauty, and a body women half her age would pay money for. A great physique for someone who didn't even tough a weight until 2005. Beth is someone you want to see succeed, and you know she will be as successfully as she wants to be. This interview will let you know so much about an amazing woman.

Q: First, Beth, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: My pleasure. Thank you for asking me to be a part of your wonderful site!

Q; Can you start out by telling a little about yourself. Family, where you are from, things like that.
A: After having lived in Oklahoma my whole life, being married for 20 years and finding myself single again and with my wonderful kids off to college, I decided this past year to move to Dallas to start life over and to pursue my passion in the fitness industry. Sometimes saying good-bye to the past is a second chance at new opportunities. My two children, Eric, and Haley, are my pride and joy and the most awesome kids in the world!

Q; Before you started training, were you an especially athletic person. Play any kinds of sports?
A: I have always been somewhat athletic... I was a cheerleader in all of my school years, including cheering at college at Oklahoma State University.

Q: What led you to the gym to begin with?
A: Actually I have never even been to a gym or lifted any weights until 2005... My daughter wanted to join the gym so I thought it would be great to see what would happen if I actually used weights and machines...I really just did cardio things...treadmill, eliptical, and then started running in 2006...did the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Relay...(just a half), and my passion for fitness started getting stronger and more consistent from that point on.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you saw results?
A: I just watched other people work out and copied them. I am pretty lucky in that changes come fairly easy for me and when I started seeing more muscle and getting more elan it made me want to keep going! I never had a trainer before either. I was at the gym so much everyone there asked me if I was a trainer so I thought why not get certified and do it part time. I was a realtor for the last 10 years.

Q: How long were you training before you decided to compete and what made you decide to compete?
A: Well the more I worked out, more and more people kept asking if I competed...it seemed everywhere I went I would have someone ask me that....so it planted the seed...I went to see a friend compete in Figure at a local show in Oklahoma...and I left thinking "I will never do that!". Getting up in front of all those people in a tiny bikini! No way!....LOL! Well, I moved to Dallas about 6 months after my friend's show and started hearing the same comments again about did I compete, so now I'm thinking...well heck...maybe I should! SO I found the best trainer in Dallas...Sagi Kalev...I met with him and he said I can have you ready in 6 weeks....I kind of freaked out but I thought I should do it to learn all about it and make me a better trainer as well. I told him I wanted to do Figure...The first time he met me he said I should do Bodybuilding, but I thought that sounded crazy...so I went with Figure for my fist show.

Q: Was competing something your family and friends supported at the time?
A: Not much support at all at first. My daughter even said "Mom, I don't know how I feel about you flexing on stage...kind of weird!"
My sons was kind of quiet but he said if it made me happy, then go for it.

Q: Was your fist show what you expected? Did anything surprise you?
A: Well, I learned a lesson after the first show...always listen to your trainer! Like he said...do bodybuilding! I though I looked great and so did everyone else (for a bodybuilder, not a figure girl!). I was muscular and lean and striated...oops...not good for a Figure show, so I placed 11th..and thought "but I have these ABS! and separation in my legs and arms..what the heck!" Even one of the judges told me had I done bodybuilding I would have won...so needless to saw...I switched!

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: * 2009-NPC Nationals- placed top 10...9th at my first National show
*2009- NPC Heart Of Texas- Overall Champion and 1st place in both Lightweight and Masters
*2009- NPC Europa Dallas- 1st place in Lightweight and 2nd place in Masters
*2009- NPC Lone Star Classic- 1st place in both Lightweight and Masters and selected as Best Female Poser for the entire show
*2009- NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic- 11th place in Figure A and 13th place in Masters Figure (decided I need to switch to bodybuilding....good choice)

Q; What do you consider your best body part or the one that gets the most compliments?
A: I would have to say my arms...everyone seems to notice that first.

Q: Do you have a favorite part to train or favorite exercise?
A: I love doing legs! I always feel like I really worked hard and will get those needed results from a great leg workout! I have a lover/hate relationship with the leg press! It's killer but I always feel empowered like I really accomplished something.

Q: What is your normal training routine like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: Monday: Back/biceps/rear delts
Tuesday: Legs
Wednesday: Chest/triceps/rear delts
Thursday: back/shoulders
Friday: Hamstrings/glutes
Saturday: touch up
Sunday: Off
I do calves and abs at least 3-4 times a week and cardio 4-5 times a week about 30-45 minutes.
For contest it changes some as far as weight, drop sets and more cardio as it gets closer and more exercises to get separation and definition.

Q: When someone sees your physique for the first time, what is the most common response? More negative or positive?
A: The most common response...."Do you compete?" or "Are you a trainer?" Not so much negative really. I think because I am small anyway...5' tall and about 115lbs...but the usually tell me I look good.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question you are sick of hearing?
A: Oh...what is it with this question...bugs me to death!..."wow, how much do you bench?"...UGH...really now!

Q: Are there any misconceptions about female bodybuilders or things you wish people understood?
A: Yes...unfortunately most people think of women and steroids and loss of femininity...I wish that past stereotype would go away so people would realize the move that is being made to a more sexy and feminine look in women's bodybuilding.

Q: Do you feel muscular women are more or less accepted by society than five years ago?
A: I think some progress has been made for sure. The judges are rewarding the more feminine looking competitors it seems and that is much more accepted by society. So hopefully the move will continue in that direction and more and more people will see that women bodybuilders are sexy and feminine!

Q: If someone told you that they wanted to start bodybuilding, what is the one piece of advice you would want to give them.
A: Discipline and nutrition are the key and once you do it the journey is so worth it!

Q: What is the worst part of the sport?
A: Ummm...no sugar!

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I really like watching Cathy LeFrancois...She is so graceful and such a doll!

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Yes! Pancakes and syrup or should I say syrup with pancakes!

Q; Do you keep track of your measurements?
A: Well I am just starting to keep a better journal now to track my progress. I never really did anything too heavy until I started training with Sagi this year. When he had 6 plates on the leg press I thought I was pretty cool! I want to do more this year now that I have heard how much most of these women press! I have a long way to go.

Q: Outside of training, do you have any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I used to play golf, sew, do other things in my past life :-) but learning as much as I can about nutrition and bodybuilding and anything to make me a better athlete and a better trainer are my passion now!

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Beth Schneider.
A: Let's see...My days are getting ready to be different as I am starting my new career as an independent trainer in 2010. I was working as a Fitness Manager and training at a chain type of gym, but I have done my time there this past year so I'm ready to go it on my own now that I have been in Dallas a year! But typically I have been getting up around 6AM and getting my cardio over with. I have an awesome gym right now here in the building where I live so I just have to hop on the elevator! Then I eat my oatmeal and eggs and head to the gym where I will train clients till about 1PM. In the afternoon its my turn to workout and train or run errands, and back to the gym to train more clients from about 5PM till about 8PM...Grocery store and cooking chicken seem to fill up my spare time too!

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: My age...I used to not like to tell anyone but now, it seems to be a novelty and also an inspiration for people... so if I need to tell you my age to inspire someone to workout and not sue their age as an excuse, I'm all about sharing that...I AM 50! I am ok with it! I don't feel old and I most certainly don't act old!

Q; Favorite actor, movie, TV show, and musician.
A: Hmmm this is a tough one...so many inspirational people out there...Hallie Berry, Will Smith, Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, and as far as funny....Will Ferrell is hilarious...these are just a few. Favorite movie...another tough one...Really like Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Meet The Parents, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, Pretty Woman...but Sound Of Music is also an all time favorite! Favorite TV show...Grey's Anatomy. Favorite musician...too many to name but I like R&B and hip hop!

Q: Describe Beth Schneider in five words.
A: Enthusiastic, Energetic, Intense, Disciplined, and Smiling

Q: Any set plans for 2010 as far as competing or anything?
A: Just decided to compete at the Arnold Classic in March! I am planning also on Jr. Nationals and definitely Masters Nationals in July 2010 for a Pro Card sounds wonderful!

Q: Anything you want to take the time to plug or promote.
A: I am training here in Dallas and would love to help anyone reach their fitness goals...whatever they may be..moms, athletes, competitors, the young, and the old. I can get you where you ant to be and more! I am an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist, as well as a National Level Lightweight Competitive Bodybuilder...Contact me at beth.train2day@yahoo.com.

Q: Sponsors are nice for a competitor. Are you looking for any, and if so, how can they contact you and what are they getting in Beth Schneider the athlete and competitor?
A: I wold love to be a sponsored athlete. I am available for demos, expos, or any other promotion activity that would help their product gain the best exposure, and with my background in marketing and sales as well, I would be beneficial for the promotion of the company products. I would love to combine that with my passion for fitness to help promote their company in any way! Please contact me at beth.train2day@yahoo.com.

Q: Beth, again, I thank you for doing this. Anything you want to add before you go.
A: Here's to a happy and fit 2010.
Don't just dream it...Do it! Aim high and think BIG!
Thanks so much!
Beth