Paula Hancock-Hollenbach Interview

Paula Hancock-Hollenbach is someone who has quickly impressed me. This self described "gym rat" was introduce to competing by a friend who competed. She did very well in her first show and has not looked back. She took 2010 off, but plans to compete this year, and with a full year to improve, 2011 should be a good year for Paula.



Q: First, Paula, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: Thanks Jason, I am so excited for this interview.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I am a native of Colorado, moved here and there, but the "Rocky Mountains" is where I grew up. I am a mother of two boys, and married my High School Sweetheart 23 years ago.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I have always been athletic, played lots of sports in school, Basketball was my favorite sport.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: I have always been a "gym rat"

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: I never really took training seriously, until one day I looked in the mirror and the changes started to happen for me.

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: I had a friend who was a "figure competitor" and she introduced me to that world.

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: My family totally supported me, even though they did not understand it, they always were there, if it wasn't for my husband, I probably would not have pushed as hard but he knew I wanted it. And my friends gave me the positive support and compliments that made me push harder.


Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: The first time I took the stage, I was on my "own high" I just was so excited to be a part of that world I didn't care if I placed, I took a third and a fifth place and walked away with two trophies.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: 2008 The Rocky, 2009 The Northern, 2009 Colorado State, 2009 The Rocky - mixed pairs, I took last year off for personal reasons.

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: My shoulders and arms are my favorite body parts, I probably work them too much.

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: I love shoulder press.


Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: My routine right now is as follows - 50 minutes cardio in the morning first thing.
Monday - shoulders and triceps
Tuesday - cadio/abs - 50 minutes am/40 minutes pm
Wednesday - chest/biceps
Thursday - cardio/abs
Friday - Legs/back
Saturday - core/abs,
Sunday - cardio only.
My diet is a clean diet program 1232 calories, the week of contest prep the diet changes from day to day.

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: Definitely a positive comment, I work hard and proud to be where I am at.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I am never sick of hearing any comments, if I can help or support anyone I give them a answer saying don't quit!

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: That you don't have to juice up to look good, weight lifting does not have to make you look big and bulky, but it makes you healthier, and you feel so much better when the work out is over.

Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: Definitely the diet is the worst for me, when you have kids at home, its hard to control all the sweets. And the best part is, I cant wait to get to the gym!!

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I admire Cory Everson and I have several friends who compete and I admire them all, this can be a stressful sport.

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: I love Chinese food, and peanut butter.

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: You have to "want it" then start today and not tomorrow, stick with it and don't quit, it does not happen overnight, you can do it!!

Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: I do not think its common at all, I see more woman on the cardio machines then weights, I think what they don't understand is that too much cardio burns muscle.

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I love to bike ride and run "Red Rocks" when I can.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Paula Hancock-Hollenbach?
A: I get up at 4 am do cardio for 50 minutes, get kids ready for school and head to work, hit the gym and start all over again.


Q: Describe Paula Hancock-Hollenbach in five words?
A: One "hot wife", friendly, honest, positive and a good mom.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: That I am 46 years old.

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: I plan on competing this year.

Q: Are you looking for sponsors. If so how can they reach you?
A: I would love a sponsor, I am on Face Book.

Q: Paula, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thanks Jason, you are a new Inspiration for me. Any one out there who just needs a boost, its never too late, if you have a dream, live it, don't let anyone tell you, you cant do it!!