Megan Yankovich Interview

Megan Yankovich recently did her first Figure competition in September 2009. She looked outstanding. There is no reason to believe if she stays at it, she can keep getting better, and really make a name for herself. She has the right attitude, work ethic, and love for training ( obvious by her being a strength and conditioning specialist) to be a success. Her physique is highlighted by her back, which as she says is helped by her love for rock climbing, but the entire package is very impressive. Her plans are to compete again in Fall 2011, and I am sure she will look even better when that comes. So here is your chance to find out about an awesome woman, Megan Yankovich




Q: First Megan, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself. Family, where you are from, things like that.
A: I am from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. Went to school at IUPUI and got my Masters in Exercise Science. I also am a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, CSCS through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, NSCA.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: Yes, I played softball for about 6 years when I was younger. Then I got into cheerleading and gymnastics for about 6 years. I was a sprinter in high school, ran the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m. Currently I am addicted to rock climbing, and have been climbing for the last 7 years, both inside and outside.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: For track in high school it was required to lift as part of our training. I didn't think anything of it then, but knew I enjoyed lifting. Once in college I started pursuing my degree in Exercise Science. I loved all of my classes and it was required to take some classes where we had to lift and do plyometrics. So through my classes I started lifting and loved it. I also noticed it was helping me with my rock climbing and was getting a lot stronger and could finally do a pullup!

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: Training was something I picked up easily. After one semester of lifting, I had lost a few pounds, my body fat decreased to the lowest ever at that time, and was able to climb a lot of different routes before losing endurance. It was about one full semester, so roughly 4 months of lifting, climbing, and walking to/from classes I felt and looked the best I ever had.

Q: How long were you training when you decided to compete and what made you decide to compete?
A: Ever since that year in school I thought about competing in a figure show. I had worked and volunteered at two different gyms and was talking to a few people that had competed before. But it wasn't until I finished graduate school before I finally decided it was something to do. So overall it was about 3 years from the time I thought about it to the time I decided to compete. I had been lifting for a total of 5 years before I decided to compete.

Q: Was competing something your family and friends supported at the time, and how about now?
A: Competing was something my friends supported and cheered me on to keep going. I know they will always support me in whatever I do just as much as I support them in everything they do. It is nice to know when I was getting stressed or needed a lifting partner, I can count on my friends.

Q: You recently did your first competition. Was the first competition what you expected? Did anything surprise you?
A: My first competition was this past September 2009. I felt like I knew what to expect. I always love getting on stage, so nothing really surprised me. The only thing that was harder than I though was holding each pose. I felt like I practiced so much that it would be easy, but I was shaking and felt like everyone could see! It was a lot of fun, and everyone was so nice backstage.

Q: What did competing teach you about yourself?
A: Competing taught me that I can have dedication to something to achieve my goals. If I can put my mind to it, I can achieve anything.


Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: I feel like my best body part is my back. This is because with rock climbing you get super defined muscles and see it in your back first.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: My favorite exercise would be pull ups because it helps to define my back, but also helps with climbing. I also just started using the TRX suspension trainer and love to train with it!

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like, and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: Right now my normal training and diet is to maintain. I lift two days per week, climb two days per week, and cardio two days per week. I use HIIT for my cardio either on the treadmil or elliptical for 20-30minutes.

Q: When someone sees or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: When someone heard that I competed or saw pictures from my show, it has been all positive reactions. Most people say "I can't believe that is you on stage", or another one they might say is "wow I could never do that!" Or another is, "you must have a lot of dedication to do something like that!"

Q: When they see or hear it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I don't get sick of hearing any questions or comments. I like to answer their questions because usually its about what the diet was like and how I trained. I don't mind giving advice to people, especially if it is something they would like to try as well.

Q: What is the best and worst part of competing?
A: Best part is being up on stage looking and feeling your best. Worst part or the toughest part is really sticking to the diet for the entire time.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I admire Kori Propst and Mary Ford. These two were some of my coaches for my first figure show. I think they are awesome people and I think they look awesome on and off stage!

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Anything chocolate!

Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?
A: I would tell her to make sure she has the dedication and time to put into it and to make sure she has a great support group.



Q: Do you think it is more accepted today in society for women to weight train than in the past?
A: Yes I do think today in the modern world more people accept women in the gym and lifting. I think more people, especially women are realizing that they need to lift weights whether its to lose weight, help in another sport they do, or just to be healthy.

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: As previously stated I rock climb. I absolutely love it; it is such a great total body workout and I think anybody can benefit from it.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Megan Yankovich.
A: A typical day for me is: train my clients, then doing my own workout. Then either go to the climbing gym or go to my boyfriend's house. And of course eating throughout the day, my favorite part :) Somewhere in there when I have time I might watch my favorite TV show, Heroes :)

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: Secretly I love to cook when I find a good recipe, but I keep that hidden ;)

Q: Favorite actor, movie, TV show, and musician?
A: I love Julia Stiles, Twister, Heroes, and for music right now I love Shinedown.

Q: Describe Megan Yanokovich in five words
A: Happy, Peaceful, Inner strength, Adventurous, and Giving

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: This year, 2010, I am going to concentrate on climbing. I would like to compete in another figure show in possibly fall of 2011.

Q; Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: I am still in the process of updating and organizing my website, but you can take a preview here: MAY Xtreme Fit Please contract me at ma.yankovich@gmail.com if you would like any more info on what I offer or any other information you want.

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Megan Yankovich the athlete and competitor?
A: I would love to be sponsored. Once I get hooked on a certain brand I am always promoting it to my friends. Really any product I use I am big on promoting and marketing it. You can reach me at ma.yankovich@gmail.com if you would like to sponsor me. I Am an athlete and want to show the world.

Q: Megan, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thank you for interviewing me. I wish everyone the best of luck in their goals and everything they do to achieve it. When you put your mind to it, then it will happen!