Sarah Barrick Interview

Q: First Sarah, thanks for taking the time for another interview.
Thanks Jason, your support of all the athletes you promote really makes a difference!!

Q: For those who may not be familiar, can you tell a little about yourself.
A: I am 23 years old. I was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas. About 4 years ago I started training for the sport of figure, and then I moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am a personal trainer at a local gym, and also work part-time at a local cafe. After my girlfriend, Lisa Neil, was around my kind of lifestyle for awhile, I got her into training & bodybuilding! Mwahaha!! ;) Now she's amazing and she totally loves it.

Q: You recently took 3rd at the L.A. Figure Championships. How satisfied were you with that placing?
A: I was pleased with my third place. I did the LA back in 2009 and got 5th, so anytime I can get a better placing, I'm down with that.

Q: How did you feel about your chances after pre-judging?
A: I felt pretty confident about my placing after pre-judging. I always remain humble because you never know how it will end up come time for the night show.

Q: How do you decide which shows you want to do?
A: I like to do shows that are relatively close to home and I really like the bigger west coast shows. Having a show closer to home makes it easier to travel and what not which cuts down on the stress of everything. I like the west coast shows because the competition is fierce and challenging. I really enjoy a good challenge!

Q: What do you feel you most improved from last show to this one?
A: I think I most improved on my conditioning and my stage presence. Competitors always wanna give their best on stage, but the best is hard to attain. So I was glad that I came in leaner than the Excalibur back in December and I always try to "work it" on stage so the judges really notice me.

Q:Is there anything you feel you need to improve on for the next one?
A: Yes! Even though I felt as if I came in leaner for this show versus the last, I definitely have been leaner before. So the one thing I need to improve on for the next show is my conditioning. Both my coach, Mike Davies, and I have discussed, I have a national level physique; I just need to dial it in and showcase it...Show it off! ;)

Q: Do you try and read the judges reactions on stage or just focus on what you are doing?
A: While I'm on stage I can for sure see the judges. I don't try to read them, I just take notice to if they are looking at me...and also I'm not afraid of a little eye contact! haha!

Q: How was the prep for the show?
A: Prep for this show was intense! I started kind of out of shape and discouraged, but as time went by and the continual support from Lisa, I got my butt in gear and didn't look back. The last week prep for me was the most intense I've been through yet. I was doing a lot of running and cardio along with the strict diet... I made it!! But I couldn't have done it without Lisa for sure.

Q: Was there any part of the prep you maybe want to do different next time?
A: I definitely want to diet better for my next show. I've done past shows with out any mess ups or set backs, so I know what it's like. But for this show I wasn't so graceful. Ah well, life happens. But I will come back with a vengeance!

Q: Whats the hardest part of the prep process for you?
A: The hardest part of prep for me is the dieting. I find it easier once I start seeing results, it's just getting that snowball rolling that is hard to do. Luckily Lisa and I were prepping at the same time, so we really kept each other in line.

Q: Whats the first thing you ate once you got off stage?
A: We went to IHop and I ordered all kinds of stuff! The best were the CinnaStack pancakes.. It's like a cinnamon roll stack of pancakes. Insane.

Q: Is their anything in the fitness industry you haven't done that you would say is A: a goal to achieve?
Of course! I want to be a little more successful in the the sport of figure. I'd like to go pro and really kick start my training business, on-line and in real life!

Q: Do you follow the competitions much lately?
A: I'm always keeping up with who's competing and what's going on. I love it.

Q: Have their been any competitors you have seen lately who impress you?
A: Well, now that you mention it... Lisa Neil! First show, looked incredibly insane, started at nowhere and now she's virtually LIMITLESS! But I'm biased ;)

Q: I always ask what the biggest misconception is about competitors. This time I will ask, what is the biggest misconception about you?
A: I think a lot of people think that I'm rude or snarky if they don't know me. I'm totally a goofball.. I'm constantly cracking jokes in the gym and standing on the benches acting silly. My clients think I'm funny at least! ;)

Q: Would you want to do more photo shoots?
A: I totally love photo shoots! Yes!!

Q: How important is support from family and friends during the prep process?
A: Jeeze... There is no way I could have make it with out the support system I have at home. A lot of the time you spend most of your time being negative about yourself and totally not seeing what everyone else sees! I'm really hard on myself, so thanks to Lisa, she kept my head in the game and had me looking forward at all times. I couldn't have done it with out her.

Q: Finish this sentence. In five years Sarah Barrick will be__?
A: Still competing (hopefully in the IFBB!)

Q: When you are done competing, how would you like Sarah Barrick the competitor to be remembered?
A: I want to be remembered as the girl who was persistent, not afraid to be different, and muscular!

Q: Anything I missed you want to talk about?
No, Jason, you're always pretty thorough... :)

Q: Anything you want to plug or promote?
A: Sure! Mike Davies at the Fitness Factory. He does our diets, cardio and whatnot.. Simply put, he's amazing and doesn't mess around!!
www.mikedaviesfitness.com
Lisa and I are both on Facebook at CherryBombFitness!!

Q: Sarah, again, thanks so much for doing this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thanks Jason for everything you do for the athletes!