Ever have that situation where the first time you talk to someone, you know they are going to be a part of your life? The first time I talked to Sandy Wiedmeyer I knew she was going to be someone I wanted as part of my life. She is one of the kindest and most supportive people I have met in this industry. Oh, and let's not forget to mention how great she looks. Sandy has made great achievements in the sport in a short time. Best part is, there is no doubt she will keep making big achievements and do even bigger things. The industry and the world needs more Sandy Wiedmeyer's in it.
Q: First Sandy, thanks for taking the time for another interview.
A: Jason, I am so pleased to be interviewing with you again! Thank you for allowing me to continue to be a part of your wonderful blog!
Q: For those who may not be familiar, can you tell us a little about yourself?
A: Absolutely! I am a 38 year old mother of two. I am actually a late bloomer in the fitness industry. I have been competing for about 3 years. It is infectious! I love every minute of it! I also personal train and teach group exercise classes. My passion for fitness and helping others inspired me to start my own business, www.IronDivaFitness.com. I am so excited to be able to help other girls who wish to get started in competing and who want to look great and confident while doing so! It's a female thing....:)
Q: Can you tell people whats happened in your life since your first interview?
A: Well, since I last interviewed with you so much has happened. I feel very fortunate for the direction that things have taken! Last Spring I earned my Figure PRO card at the NGA Heart of America show! So, now I compete as an NGA and IFPA Figure Pro. It is simply astounding and amazing to me that I earned a pro card in only my second year of competing! Like, I tell everyone, it could have been anyone's day and it just happened to be mine! I am also proud to be an administrator for the Promoting Women Facebook Page! It has been great meeting all the wonderful people in this industry and I continue to learn so much from everyone every day! I have acquired 3 sponsorships in the last year as well! Sunless Expressions keeps my tan glowing year round. I cannot thank them enough for keeping me photo shoot ready. Liquid Sun Rayz provides my stand out stage color for competitions, which my husband personally raves about since he does not have to do my competition tanning anymore..:). And, all my on and off season nutrition needs are met by my sponsors over at Pride Nutrition! The folks at Pride have been exceptional. I am so lucky to have all these wonderful people on my side!!
Q: You are prepping to compete. What shows are you doing?
A: Well by the time this is out, I will have finished my Spring 2011 competitions and have made my PRO debut! Right now, I am unsure of whether or not I will do any Fall shows. I will decide that when I have this season behind me!
Q: How do you decide which shows you want to do?
A: Well I knew right away I would do the NGA Heart of America show! It was the first show I did when I began competing and it is where I earned my PRO card last season. Other than that I tried to pick shows that fit around that time frame in the area.
Q: What do you feel you have most improved since last time on stage?
A: I really think I just brought an overall better package. I have a little more maturity to my muscles with the additional year of training, so I look a bit fuller at a lighter weight. I worked hard on my shoulders and back in the off season. They came in improved, but I dealt with a shoulder injury during much of the off season and that hampered my training a bit!
Q: Is there any set goals? I mean, obviously everyone wants to win, but what will it take to make you happy with your performance this year?
A: Just seeing improvement from season to season is important. I try to keep things in perspective and remember where I came from and where I was when I started. First and foremost, you really have to just learn to compete with yourself. We all want to win of course, but I really try to focus on self improvement first. Oh yeah, ...and have thick skin! HA!
Q: How has the prep been going?
A: Prep was great this season. I was able to do minimal cardio, which is always good! I really cut back on my cardio in the off season and found that when I was ready to prep, my body responded very well! Of course I have cravings like most people, but the diet has been very doable! I think I am getting the hang of it! LOL
Q: Are you doing anything different with prep this time?
A: Yes, like said above I have surprisingly been able to get away with way less cardio this time around. In the past, I had to do double cardio with 30-45 minutes each session. By cutting back my cardio in the off-season, I was able to get my body to respond with way less cardio when the time came! My diet was a bit different this time around too. It was a bit more strict, but I really didn't mind it. I think that each season you tweak things and you also find that your body may not respond the same way that it did before. If something isn't working then you have to try something different! Everyone responds differently.
Q: Whats the hardest part of the prep process for you?
A: The hardest part is the time that it takes to truly prep for each day. It is so time consuming to get your diet plan organized and prepared each and every day to stay on target. Then of course you have to follow through with your lifting and cardio routine. I am really lucky to have the time to devote to it and that my husband is so supportive. He takes care of grilling out chicken in large batches. It is such a huge help to not have to worry about that part! It is so important, as most of you know, to be prepared ahead of time. The diet is so much harder if your food is not ready and you are late for a meal! I also have to give a big thank you to my husband for putting up with me bringing hard boiled eggs to bed every night! LOL
Q: Let's talk about Iron Diva Fitness. Can you tell us about it? Where can people see more?
A: I started Iron Diva Fitness about two and a half years ago. I have a passion for cute and fashionable fitness wear. Quality is so important to me, so I looked to Brazil to have my line of clothing manufactured. Brazilian supplex is simply top notch. I also saw that cute women's wear was not being offered at the local shows. As a female, I know women love to shop and we want to walk away from a show with a cute memento to commemorate all of our hard work. So I decided to sponsor local shows as a way to also give back to a sport that I love! I have been able to support a number of local shows and my company has grown to include many ladies casual wear items as well. You can find me at local shows in the Wisconsin and Illinois area, as well as online at www.IronDivaFitness.com.
Q: Is their anything in the fitness industry you haven't done that you would say is a goal to achieve?
A: I would love to do some published fitness modeling, but I think most of the girls in the industry feel that way! I have already been able to be a part of so much and feel very lucky for that!
Q: Do you follow the competitions much lately?
A: I always follow the competitions at every level. I love to see how my friends are doing and I enjoy staying on top of what is going on in the industry. I went to the Arnold's this year, as a spectator, and that was simply amazing. I don't know if it will happen, but I am really hoping to go the Olympia this year!
Q: Have their been any competitors you have seen lately who impress you?
A: Too many to name really! I am a big fan of Ava Cowan. She has an amazing physique and has done and amazing job marketing herself within the industry. I also love Larissa Reis. She is gorgeous and has an irresistible edge. And of course, all of the local girls..they have all taught me so much. We are really lucky to have so many great down to earth girls in this area who compete! It really has developed into a surprising support network of very knowledgeable ladies. To some people it is hard to believe, but some of the friendliest and supportive ladies are those you compete against. I truly believe that is because we all respect the amount of dedication and effort it takes to follow through with getting to that stage. Once you are bitten by that bug, you are addicted.
Q: I always ask what the biggest misconception is about competitors. This time I will ask, what is the biggest misconception about you?
A: Mostly I find people to be judgemental; especially those who do not compete. It is disappointing when those you would expect to be supportive, are really not. The funny thing is that the same people who publicly question your training habits and lifestyle, ask for diet advice in private. Some people think competitors starve ourselves! I eat.... I eat a lot! As a matter of fact, I probably eat more than most people! I just eat healthier.
Q: You have done some photo shoots recently. Is that something you want to do more of?
A: Yes, I have really had a lot of fun with it! It is nice to be able to capture this time period in my life. My life is hectic. but I try to take advantage of every photo shoot opportunity I get! To me it is a way to celebrate my life and the opportunities I have been given.
Q: What is a typical day in the life of Sandy Wiedmeyer like?
A: Wow, no one day is alike really. My schedule is based around my clients needs and when they can meet. But everyday you will find me balancing training clients, teaching group classes, training myself, doing cardio, and taking care of my family! I feel like I run nonstop but wouldn't change a thing! My husband says I thrive on chaos. Perhaps he is right! LOL
Q: How important is support from family and friends during the prep process?
A: It is very important. People have to understand, that while life doesn't stop, it does change during prep. I don't go out to eat too often, I really don't like to go to parties during prep, I spend more time at the gym, and some days I drag a bit from how hectic it all gets. But, my husband and kids understand and are very supportive with it all. My friends don't always get it, but by now they accept it!
Q: Finish this sentence. In five years Sandy Wiedmeyer will be__
A: Rockin the stage with an even better physique! Other than that, who knows, but I am always open to taking new directions!
Q: When you are done competing, how would you like Sandy Wiedmeyer the competitor to be remembered?
A: As one of the "nice" girls. I want people to remember how passionate I am and how willing I am to always help out a fellow competitor!
Q: Anything I missed you want to talk about?
A: I think I get to do a shameless plug next and that should cover it..lol!
Q: Anything you want to plug or promote? Take a look at www.IronDivaFitness.com! Also a big shout out to Pride Nutrition! Used code "Iron Diva" and you get 30% off at www.pridenutrition.com. Check out Liquid Sun Rayz of Illinois
https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Liquid-Sun-Rayz-of-Illinois/131534740245780 And my sponsors at Sunless Expressions www.sunlessexpressions.com>
Q: Sandy, again, thanks so much for doing this. I really value your friendship, and your constant support of me, and being their when I have a bad day means so much to me. Any last words before you go?
A: Thank you Jason! You have been wonderful to me and so many ladies out there who are just finding their way in this industry! I can't wait to see what is next for us both!!
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