Allison Dino Interview

I met Allison Dino due to our mutual friendship with Heather Kilgore, and am so glad I did. Allison is simply the kind of person you root for. She was determined to train and compete, and recently did her fist show, and did very well at it. More impressive when you realize she is a single mother of two with a full time job and still manged to look that good. Allison has a future in the sport if she wants it.







Q: First, Allison, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: I’m honored to be among the women interviewed.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: Hi! I am 31, originally from Grants Pass, Oregon (if you never heard of it don’t worry, you aren’t missing much!) and now reside in Lumberton, Texas. I am a single mom to two little girls: Emma who is 8, and Mikayla who is 10 months. I am a pharmaceutical drug rep for a major company.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I was a gymnast and a cheerleader till I was 19 years old. I worked out regularly for the last 2-3 years. Did Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while as well.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: Initially I just wanted to lose a few pounds and look decent in a bikini. A good friend of mine, Heather Kilgore, and Traci Baird, both compete and inspired me to get myself on stage.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: I seriously started training 6 weeks after my youngest was born, and was cleared from my c-section. I worked out till 28 weeks pregnant so luckily I had good muscle memory. Endurance, however, I had to start from scratch. I started in September, I say by December I was seeing definite results in my upper body. I went from 24% body fat to 12% after the first of the year.


Q: You just competed for the first time. What show did you do and how did you do?
A: I did the Texas Shredder. As of now I don’t know where exactly I placed but I was in 2nd call outs.. so fairly decent I think!

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: My two closest friends are bikini girls too, so I had them backing me all the way. My family all on the west coast were pretty clueless about it all until I started posting pics and such of my progress on facebook. By competition day I had them all cheering me on from around the country!

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: I thought I would be more nervous. But getting on stage was like crack for me. I want more. LOL
I did like all the friends I made. I thought girls might be snooty like a beauty pageant, but everyone supports one another.

Q: Is competing something you plan to do more of?
A: Yup, June 25th at the Adela Garcia and then see where I go from there!

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: My butt for sure. I’m 100% Italian and have some nice curves I think.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: I love training shoulders. There is something sexy about a nice shoulder cap on a woman! I hate hate hate hack squats!!!


Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: I train 5-6 days a week. Cardio twice a day for 30-45 minutes each time. Weights and abs the rest. I’m tweaking it now for what the judges said at the last show. Diet is pretty consistent with fish, chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice, asparagus…. Typical stuff.

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: Depends on who is looking. People that understand the bodybuilding/figure world think its great. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback. People who don’t get it, think I am doing Hawaiian Tropic or Hooters contests. Uh no. We actually have to work out and have muscles.. AND look pretty!

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A:“Man the diet must suck huh?” um ya dude thanks for reminding me!

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: One, that we will start to look like men. Or that girls with muscles aren’t hot. No on both accounts. Also, that bikini isn’t hard work. Seriously, have a baby and see how hard it is to get your body back. I know men that don’t train like I do!

Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The best part is knowing I am setting a healthy role model for my girls. That girls can be athletic and pretty. They eat what I eat and like enjoy it. I practice posing in front of them to their little cheers. My daughter begs to go to the gym with me so she can take her kids yoga class.
Worst part is balancing my job, kids and training. Sometimes I feel there are not enough hours in the day!!


Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: Amateur: Traci Baird, one of my friends and trainers. She has had the hardest year that anyone can imagine and still pushes on every day and competes. She is very inspirational and constantly encouraging me and giving me advice.
Pro: Amanda Latone… She makes curves and large butts look good!

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: SUSHI!! All that delicious white rice!!

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: Don’t give up! It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Q: Do you think its becoming more common to see women using the weights in the gym as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: I think it is, however I wish I could see more of them lifting properly!

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy??
A: I am involved in a lot of activities with my daughters. I am a Girl Scout troop leader for my oldest’s Brownie troop. I play golf when I can. I also sing in my church’s choir.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Allison Dino.
A: Wooowee… up at 6, oldest to school by 8, baby to the sitter. Train from 8:30-9:30. Go sell some drugs… aka pharmaceuticals till about 4.. work out again for another hour… pick up kids,dinner, home work, baths, snuggles… do some work after they go to bed.. get a shower in and I finally crash about midnight… tired yet??

Q: Describe Allison Dino in five words.
A: Spunky, outgoing, caring, Christian, MOMMY.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I can sew, knit, crochet and embroider! I make custom baby nurseries!

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: I’ll be on stage next month at the Adela Garcia.

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: I always have to plug my Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him my life would be chaos.

Q: Are you looking for sponsors. If so how can they reach you?
A: As a single mom I would LOVE sponsors. My email is ally_d12@hotmail.com.


Q: Allison, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Don’t give up. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. Thank you for this opportunity Jason. Maybe one day on stage together!