Kimberly De Jesus Alfonso Interview

Photo Credit:
Photo 4: Superman Fit


It's impossible for anyone to know the name of every competitor. Especially those newer competitors who have just done one or two shows. Luckily on occasion, one of those competitors reaches out to me to do an interview. In the case of Kimberly De Jesus Alfonso, I am very glad she did, especially after checking out some of her photos. I was very impressed by Kimberly and think she has the potential to do very well in the bikini division.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: I was in track and field in high school and they told me to start lifting. I was like "no way, I am a girl, I don't wanna look butch" haha. I got into and started lifting three times per week and I loved it and got hooked. Ever since then, when I was sixteen I have been lifting.

Q: Why did you decide to compete?
A: Competing has never been a priority for me. I did it back in 2007 I believe. Someone who went to my gym used to do it and she was the owner of one the competitions. She invited me and insisted so many times that I was like "alright I will go". I was training for a Tae-Kwon-Do fight, so I was preparing to fight not to compete. But I went there and it was a great experience. I got third place and thought maybe I would do it again. This year my boyfriend started pushing me saying "you should do it, you train so hard, you should show it off". So I figured "why not", and I love it.

Q: People who don't know the sport, you say "bikini" and often they think it is T&A, did you have to explain to people it was actually fitness?
A: Oh yes, always. I tell people I do bodybuilding competitions, and they say "are you gonna get like a guy,a re you gonna get huge". I have to explain the different divisions because people really don't know, they have no idea.

Q: For you, what is the hardest part of prepping for a show?
A: My legs! Doing legs, I love it and I hate it. The diet is not easy. Just yesterday I had to cook for my boyfriend. I did a lot of food and couldn't eat any of it and that was hard. It is hard to be disciplined.

Q: You just took second at the Mississippi Championships, how happy were you with that?
A: I was super super happy, you have no idea. I went there with no expectations, obviously everyone wants to win, but I went for the experience. They were taking people off and I was still there and I was like "oh my gosh, I might win". The girl who won was a lady who was thirty-seven years old and had two kids, so I was honored to be on the same stage with her.

Q: Do you get nervous before you go on stage?
A: Oh my gosh, I had to do breathing techniques before getting on stage. My legs shake so much, which is one reason I decided to compete, because I am shy. I am a teacher, I talk in front of people and it is no problem, but when it comes to modeling or competition it is hard for me. I like to do things that I am afraid of. My legs could not stop shaking, so I kept switching positions so they couldn't see I was nervous.

Q: Was there any part of competing that surprised you?
A: I think, I already knew from my first competition that I had an idea of it. I didn't know there were so many divisions, I learned a lot.

Q: Some people say competing becomes addicting, was that the case for you?
A: I wouldn't say addictive, I would say it is exciting, you wanna do it again. A little bit, but it keeps you motivated to keep working, which I love.

Q: You are getting ready for a show, what show and when is it?
A: The next show is August 26th in Puerto Rico, which is where I am from. It is called the Tony Roman Bodybuilding Classic. It is a local show but I wanna do it to get practice.

Q: From the last show to this one, is there any part of your physique you want to be better?
A: I am listening to what the judges had to say. They told me that my abs were too cut. I am trying to listen to them, but at the same time I am trying to do what I like, I like my abs to be defined. They explained that they should be more soft, so I am struggling with that. Always, I wanna work on my butt, it looks good, but I am looking for improvement. I love to work on my legs and glutes.

Q: When people say bikini competitors don't train as hard as others, does that upset you?
A: Oh yes! I give them a thirty minute speech telling them I wake up everyday at 5:30AM to run and go to a gym like everyone else and lift for hours. I do the same diet and work really hard just like them. I do less weight and a different kind of training, but it is pretty much similar.

Q: At the gym do you get a lot of attention or stares from people?
A: Yeah, a little bit. They are not used to seeing women who are cut and look feminine. I like it because it gives me an opportunity to explain the different divisions. A lot of women come up and ask "what do you do? Do you dance?" I tell them I lift and they compliment and tell me they thought a woman who lifts looked manly, but they like my physique.

Q: Do you get a lot of them asking for diet help?
A: Yeah, which is why I started my facebook fan page. I put up pictures and talk about my diet and exercises. People message me and I answer them. I really like to talk to people, I think it comes from my teaching.

Q: In public do you dress to cover up and avoid attention or my proud and want to show it off?
A: I am proud of it and show it off. Not in a vulgar way, but I dress feminine and to show my arms that I work so hard for.

Q: Do you have any specific competing goals?
A: I would love to compete at a National level. Now that I qualified for it, I feel I should do it. The status only lasts for one year. I would love to do it, but I want to feel prepared. I feel I need to gain experience on the stage. I feel like overall I look really good, I need to improve my walk. I walk nicely, and they said I have good presence, but I get nervous and would like to work on those things. I would love to go further and get a pro card. That would be great. I am taking it one step at a time. You have to be real disciplined. I go on vacation tomorrow and cant eat. I have to bring my food with me. I am getting used to it.

Q: If you could spend a day training with anyone, who would it be?
A: Amanda Latona. That women is gorgeous. She has the greatest physique I have ever seen.

Q: Anyone you want to thank?
A: My boyfriend. He always supports me. I am not a morning person and he wakes me up with the coffee. My family is really supportive and my friends.