Trayce Garabo-Torres Interview

Q: First, Trayce, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: Thank you I am very appreciative and happy to do do this interview.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I am 36 years old from the Bronx N.Y., I have been married for 7 years and have a 6 year old daughter. I am a full-time dental hygienist for 10 years now and really enjoy working out and being healthy.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: Before the gym I was into martial arts for several years.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: When my daughter was about 2 years old I decided it was time to get back into shape so I started with a personal trainer at MR.Americas personal training in the Bronx.


Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: From the first day with my trainer I knew I made the right choice. The training was rough but I definitely enjoyed the challenge. By sticking to an eat clean diet and training 5 days a week the results showed rather quickly, within a month I would say.

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: I made the decision to compete for the first time when I realized that there was a figure world out there and I wanted to challenge myself to see how well I would do.

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: My family and friends are very supportive. My husband helps me out a lot so I can find the time to get into the gym 2 times a day. They come to all my shows to cheer me on and my daughter copies my posing.

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: Competing was a lot harder than I expected from the training and diet aspect but to get out on that stage and show my accomplishments was amazing, I get such a rush from it. I was surprised to see how many fantastic woman there are in this sport.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A: My first competition was in 2009 and it was a Nabba National where I placed third. I than competed in May 2010 in Nabba Garden State Grand Prix where I won the class, In June 2010 I competed in the Nabba Key Stone Classic and won the overall, The last competition was in Nov 2010 where I won Ms.Figure America in the short class at the Nabba Nationals.

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: I feel my best body part is my heart because it gives me my drive and determination but if you are looking for a visual body part that would be my overall symmetry.


Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: My most favorite body part to train would be back and lat pull downs are my absolute favorite.

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: My normal training routine is broken up into body parts, I start with back and bi's than the next day is chest and tri's than shoulders and calves than legs. I also do a boot camp class 2-3 times a week and stick to a very clean eating diet. When it is time to prep for a contest there are no days off of the gym and cardio is done everyday for 45 minutes. Depending on my work schedule I will do my cardio in the morning and my weights at night. My diet is altered by eating every three hours where I stick to a very simple menu egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast grilled chicken and fresh green vegetable for three of my meals, two of them will include three ounces of sweet potato, and a protein shake. Everything during competition time is measured and logged into a book, where my trainer can see if any changes need to be made such as taking out a carb or even adding.


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: I get a lot of positive reactions such as my body is in awesome shape and that I should keep up the good work.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: "OH MY DO YOU EAT, YOUR TOO SKINNY" LOL

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: The biggest misconception is people don't understand what goes into preparing for a competition, I wish they understood how hard we work to get on that stage, it takes soo much determination and want not everyone realizes that. This is a complete change of lifestyle.


Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The best part of training for me is to see the transformation in my body, it amazes me at what the body can do. The worst part of training would be the time not spent with my family.

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I admire my trainer MR.Butch Nieves and of course without a doubt Jamie Eason.

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: OH boy, dark chocolate for sure.

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: GO FOR IT!!! set your goals and stick to them, there is nothing better than making the decision to change into a healthier you I would also offer to help in anyway I could.


Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: I definitely see a lot more woman in the gym moving from cardio and making their way over to the free weights. I think it is a great thing.

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: What I enjoy most of all is family time.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Trayce Garabo-Torres.
A: A typical day in my life is very busy, I swear there are not enough hours in the day. My schedule is different everyday do to my work schedule but I basically wake up and get to a 5:30 am bootcamp class giving by my trainer I than get home to have breakfast and get my daughter dressed, fed and off to school. I than make my way to meet my trainer to do weight training or I go to the gym and train on my own. If it is a day where I start work early than I will train at 7pm when I get out of work, after done at the gym I go home to prepare food for my family and myself, shower and get ready to start all over again. Not to mention find time to spend my daughter and husband,check her homework and make sure the house is clean and the laundry is done. Thank god for a supportive family.

Q: Describe Trayce Garabo-Torres in five words.
A: Hard working, hyper focused, bright, committed and energetic.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: As much heart as I have I am PETRIFIED of roller coasters...

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: I plan to compete in my first INBF Ms.Fit Body competition in October 2010 and would love to one day compete in the Arnold's also do figure modeling and be in oxygen magazine.

Q:Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: I would like to promote my trainer Mr.Butch Nieves at Mr.Americas personal training without his support I would not have come this far.

Q: Are you looking for sponsors. If so how can they reach you?
A: I am absolutely looking for sponsors, they can reach me via e-mail rdhrdh75@yahoo.com or through facebook.


Q: Trayce, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: I would like to thank you for doing this blog with me. I look forward to keeping you updated in my success in competing.