Lisa Neil Interview

Sarah Barrick, who has twice been interviewed recently mentioned a woman named Lisa Neil to me. Said she was prepping for her first show, and she is showing great and fast progress. When Sarah Barrick talks, I listen. So I contacted Lisa. Looking at her photos I am amazed at her progress in such a short time. Lisa has great coaching in Sarah and Mike Davies and has a chance to do very well on stage. I look foreword to seeing the finished product.





Q: First, Lisa, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: You're very welcome. Thanks for the opportunity.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I am 28 years old and live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am a police officer with the Albuquerque Police Department and have been since May of 2009. I love what I do. The excitement and adrenalin rush that comes with the job doesn't compare with any other.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I've always been a pretty athletic person, ever since I was young. I grew up playing baseball with the boys and then basketball. Skateboarding and snowboarding took up alot of my time Eventually got into high school volleyball and played some in college. Nowadays I play a little softball and love to go mountain biking in my backyard at the Sandia Mountains. And of course, I live in the gym, which is becoming my true love. I fell in love with the gym about 8 months ago.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: Getting in shape for the police academy is what initially led me into the gym. Being a police officer requires you to be in some sort of shape because it is a physically demanding job. I met Sarah Barrick in February of 2010 and by June, I was hitting the gym with her continuously. She is the one who got me hooked! I'm blaming this addiction on her.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: When I first started to go to the gym, I complained alot! "I can't breathe, I'm tired and I'm not doing that or you want me to do what?" plagued my vocabulary. I expected to see results that very day, which does not happen! As time went on, I started realizing my potential and it started becoming fun and enjoyable. Within a few months, the complaining was gone and I was digging on my results.


Q: You recently decided to compete. What led to the decision?
A: I recently decided, as in 2 weeks ago, to compete. I never thought I would ever want to compete. I live with Sarah Barrick and she competes. I've watched her in the process of preparing for a competition. I always thought, "She's nuts to be doing this!" Later on down the line, the whole "science experiment" started making sense to me. The more people would say to me, "When are you doing a show?," the more I thought about it. Sarah tried convincing me to do a show on numerous occasions and she always wins!

Q: Is competing something your family and friends support?
A: I don't think I've told my family yet, haha! My friends are excited to see me in a bikini:) I think Sarah is the one who is super stoked out of everyone. I guess she should be considering she is my trainer and will be my posing coach.

Q: What show do you plan on doing?
A: I'm planning on doing the NPC Mid-USA/NM State BB Championships in August as a warm-up and then the Excalibur in December.

Q: Any expectations for the first show?
A: I went to the Excalibur last year to watch Sarah compete so I kinda get the idea. As for me, I guess we'll see what happens when I get there. I just want to be super lean and ripped outta my mind!


Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: Definitely my quads. I've been hearing alot about those lately.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: I'd have to say I like to train everything but I tend to lean toward legs and arms.

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you plan to alter it for contest prep?
A: I do about 40 minutes of cardio in the morning after I get off work. In the afternoon, I usually train for 2 hours, including about 30 to 40 more minutes of cardio. I've been working with Mike Davies for my diet and plan on continuing working with him through contest prep. I eat about 6 times a day. A lot of high protein meals.

Q: When someone sees your physique for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?
A: I'd have to say more positive. I love when people stare. There are always more guys in the gym than girls, so alot of the guys are intimidated when Sarah and I walk into the gym.


Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I hate when people complain about how overweight or out of shape they are and make no attempt at fixing it. The weight is not going come off magically! You have to work at it or its never gonna happen!

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: Alot of females think that by lifting weights, they're gonna bulk up and look like a man. What??? That's crazy talk!

Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The best part of training has to be seeing results from putting in hard work and time. The worst part is working out my left shoulder. I injured it awhile back and is still not %100. It is getting better, but a little at a time.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I love a BB's overall physique but don't have any favorites yet.

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Every Sunday for a cheat meal I eat pizza, ice cream and drink a Bud Light. Is it Sunday yet?

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: If they are truly serious about training, I'd tell them to do it and to stick with it. The results will come with time, as long as you are willing to put the effort into it.

Q: Do you think it is becoming more common to see women working in the gym with the weights and not just doing cardio and things?
A: I would love to see more women actually working with weights instead of cardio, but you just don't see it that often. Cardio machines can be repetitive and boring. Women need to spice it up with weights!

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I enjoy spending time with my 5 year old son, Charlie. We love watching movies together and just hanging out. I love getting tattooed and love to shop!

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Lisa Neil.
A: I work a graveyard shift from 10pm to 8am and then off to the gym for morning cardio. I go home, eat some food and sleep for a few hours. I go pick my son up from school and then back to the gym for about 2 hours for weight training and more cardio. Eat dinner, watch some t.v. and then back to work to do it all again.

Q: Describe Lisa Neil in five words.
A: Tattoos, Guns, Blonde, Handcuffs, Buff;)

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I went to school for Cosmetology and played the drums in a hardcore metal band when I lived in California.

Q: Besides the first show, any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: I'm in the process of becoming a Crime Scene Investigator here in Albuquerque. I'm going to continue training like a mad woman and see what the future holds.


Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: www.mikedaviesfitness.com Mike has some great workouts and diets.
www.fitgr.com I love their clothing. Really nice workout gear.

Q: Lisa, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thanks again for the opportunity. Keep up the good work!