Olivia Woyome Interview

Q: First, Olivia, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: My pleasure, thank you for asking me.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I'm from Chicago, but I live in Miami Beach now. I'm from a small family. My mom is Swedish American and a "free spirit" and my dad is west African and very conservative. They're complete opposites and my sister and I fall somewhere in between. It was an interesting childhood, to say the least.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: My upbringing was really simple..no car, no cable, no computer, so as a child, I was outside all the time. We didn't really have the money for little league sports but I fell in love with gymnastics. I would put a mattress on the floor and learn how to do flips on it, and I would use a curb as a balance beam...ghetto I know, but it made me fearless when I did get to use real equipment. I was on my high school gymnastics team and also the dance team(most people don't consider that a sport, lol)


Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: I dated a linebacker all through high school and I started working out with him. Then after I graduated I started teaching fitness classes and it pretty much just continued from there.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: Training was always more natural to me. It was the diet that was the most difficult for me to adapt to. I still struggle with it today.

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A:A couple people I worked with had done some shows and I guess it inspired me. I wish I had a better answer for you lol, but once I started I was hooked. That was almost 2 years ago.

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: Everyone has been completely supportive of me but most of my friends and family back home don't realize the extent of the work and effort I put into it. My parents just saw my first show last month and I thought my dad was going to be a little uncomfortable with it, but he literally stood up in front, waving his arms so that I could see that he was there. It was actually really cute.


Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: I don't think I had any certain expectations. I just wanted to take my fitness lifestyle to a different level and this is where I've ended up so far. I was a little surprised by how everyone is somehow connected through fitness though. It's nice to be able to share this industry with so many people.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A:
*'09 NPC South Florida District Championship, 1st
*'10 NPC Arnold Amateur, 14th
*'10 NPC Southeastern USA, 4th
*'10 NPC Nationals, 3rd
*'11 NPC Europa, 1st and Overall
*'11 NPC Jr Usa's, 3rd
*'11 NPC Jr Nationals, 1st......to be continued

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: I hate this question because I really don't know. I think everything is decent, but nothing that I want to post on facebook over and over.


Q: Do you have a part you most like to train?
A: Glutes has become my favorite part to train. Just knowing that I'm making my butt look nicer keeps me working hard.

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: The training is pretty similar, maybe not as much cardio. Honestly, my diet is very relaxed off season. I wish I could say that I eat clean all year round, but I would be lying. For show prep I'm a carb nazi. Very strict simple diet works best for me before a show. My body is naturally a little thick(the black girl in me!)

Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: It's almost always a positive reaction. Anytime someone sees you put that much effort into something, it's hard for them to be negative about it. I find that the people who have negative comments are usually out of shape.


Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: "Why did this girl or that girl win?" ....I don't know people, I'm not a judge :)

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: Girls always ask me about different products and pills and methods of quick-fix diets. I always tell them "just do the work". In the end, it's the only thing that really works. It's hard but it will give you what you want. If you don't care enough to follow the program, please don't bother me.

Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The best part is how I feel after wards. The worst part is waking up early to do it.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I really like Nathalia Melo's body. I think she has a great butt!

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Any kind of nachos...restaurant nachos...movie theater nachos...711 nachos....grocery store nachos...I'm not picky.


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: Train your mouth 10 times harder than your body. Most of your results will come from what you eat.

Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: Definitely. The whole idea of a woman's body is changing in my opinion. It's actually considered sexy if a woman has muscle now. The health benefits are known to women of every age group now, so it's spreading very quickly.

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: Well...everyone knows that I'm kind of obsessed with my dog. He's an olde english bulldog and he's hilarious. He's kinda my whole life! I'm learning how to skateboard right now and I just like to spend time with my friends and family, usually at my house. I'm pretty simple. I really want to learn how to surf, because the beach is right there, but I'm really scared of sea life!

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Olivia Woyome.
A: When I'm training for a show, I wake up and take the dog for an hour walk, then do my morning workout. I get ready and go to work for about 10 hours and then do my evening workout. I walk the dog at night, cook food for the next day and go to bed to do it all again the next day. On my days off I'm less boring, I swear.

Q: Describe Olivia Woyome in five words.
A: Dedicated, Compassionate, Loyal, Happy, Impatient :)

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I have the worst road rage known to man! Sometimes I take the bus because I can't handle driving!

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: Yes, I will be going for my pro card in November, at Nationals! Yay!

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: I'll be doing an interview and weekly blogs with Rx Muscle a little closer to Nationals so look for me there!

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Olivia Woyome the athlete and competitor?
A: I am definitely looking for a sponsor! :) I can be reached at livfit22@yahoo.com. I am extremely loyal and put everything I have into something I believe in. I do this because I love it, and I want to share it with as many people as I can. I've been blessed with the most amazing people helping me along the way and I just want to pay that forward.


Q: Olivia, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thank you so much for taking an interest in me! If you love something, find a way to make it a part of your life because it's worth it.