IFPA Pro Joy Anyanwu Interview

Q: First, Joy, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
A: Its my pleasure Jason, thank you for asking for the interview, I am honored.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I am first generation Nigerian and I am the eldest of 5 kids. One brother which is a Pro MMA fighter and the 3 sisters in entertainment industry.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: Yes always athletic since the fifth grade. I threw javelin,discus,shotput and did the long jump in High school. In middle school and college I was a cheerleader.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: First time I started training was in 2004 when I was deployed to Germany. All my friends would go so I figured I would tag along, plus I was starting to get fat by the lifestyle of eating out every night in a beautiful European country. I didn't wanna be by myself so I followed suit.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: I was in the gym but just messing around. Didn't really have a purpose. I kinda did whatever anyone else did. Started to see results once I had the diet piece in check...took about 2 weeks after cleaning up my diet I saw some changes.

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: I met a women at the gym in Germany and she was the coordinator of may gyms that took me under her wing in 2004

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: My mother and father tolerates it but there all about education primarily and my brother and sisters are my number one fans. The friends that don't support..well..lets just say they are no longer "my friends"

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: Yes it is everything I expected..HARD WORK!..I went to a couple shows and did alot of research...The biggest thing was switching from bodybuilding to figure. Which wasn't really that big of a deal since I had a long break before my next show...Busy getting my education like my parents wanted..

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A:
*2004 Ms. Physique (NABBA) 4th Place
*2005 HWT Bodybuilding (INBF) 4th Place
*2011 Figure Novice (OCB) 1st Place
*2011 Figure Open Short (OCB) 1st place and Overall
*2011 Earned IFPA Pro Card 8/27/2011
*2011 Figure Pro Open (IFPA) 12th Place

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: My Arms...Shoulders..

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train?
A: Nope..nothing is my favorite...I like all my training equally.

Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: I train 4-5 times a week off season. On season 6 days a week with increase amount of cardio as the months go. In addition diet super clean during pre-contest.


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: Mostly Positive, people either admire or are jealous. Sometimes people say things like..."I like you physique but I wouldn't want to be that muscular"...Guess what I didn't ask you...lol...Anyways everyone at work is super supportive.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I always hear "how can I get my arms like yours"...and I respond "you would have to have the same mother and father as mine first"....But honestly I am not sick of hearing that..lol

Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: I think people think that everyone is on steroids or something illegally. There are many Natural Athletes and Natural Organization. I compete in an Organization that uses a lie-detector test and urine test for overall winner in the amateur level pro-qualifiers..and for the top 5 in the pro level.

Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: Best is the Stairmaster. Worst is the Stairmaster. Love and Hate

Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: I admire everyone that competes!

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Yes all my mothers cooking.

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: First go see your doctor to make sure there is no limitation in your training...Then, hire a trainer that cares about your well-being and health and that knows about nutrition.

Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: Yes it is becoming more common. I think women are still scared that the will "bulk up"..lol..But it makes me happy to see other women in the weight room..besides myself..

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: Family person, so on my down time I visit my family frequently. I go to New York visit my sisters. I enjoy traveling to Atlantic Cesars Palace watching my brother fight on Bellator. 5k's,hiking,biking,snowboarding... anything outdoors

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Joy Anyanwu.
A: I don't have a typical day really everyday its changing. But briefly go to work 12 hours followed by training then sleep.

Q: Describe Joy Anyanwu in five words.
A: Loyal, Kind, Ambitious, Charismatic and Stubborn

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: That have been in the Army Reserves for 10 years and I that I work as a Cardiac Intensive Care RN. I think people lok at my physique and think "oh she is trainer". But I have a busy schedule like everyone else. But make the time to train.

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: I plan in competing again the Summer of 2012. But my other goal is to run 10 5k for charity by March 2012 before my next contest prep. I have done a run for Lupus 2 weeks ago I have another one Nov 12th and on Thanksgiving...I hate running but I am tackling something I am not the best at running but its for a great cause and helps with my conditioning off-season..so I am getting 2 for the price of one. I also will be getting an interviewed by Rob Feltcher of ANGT.TV very soon.

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: Yes my fan page https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/IFPA-Figure-Pro-Joy-Anyanwu/153591918060258
African theatre website http://www.africantheaterusa.com/joyanyanwu.htm
my recent interview in Sept 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rps1SXMXATU
I have also been asked to be apart of a great website www.inspirationalbodies.com by Leanne K Avery..
Any updates about what I am doing my Fan page is the best resource. I also video progress blogs during pre-contest.My goal is to inspire others...I lost 31.4 pounds went from a size 8 to a zero while working 12 hour shifts and received my Figure Pro Card on my first attempt and I competed in my first pro show 6 weeks later unfortunately while I was prepping my father had a stroke and it damage his left pons...I almost quit..I saw the strongest man I know using a walker..but he inspired me to continue my journey because he continues to fight everyday to regain his life back..That should inspire anyone

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Joy Anyanwu the athlete and competitor?
A: Yes I am always looking for good sponsors. What any sponsor is getting out of me is a hard worker. Any company would be happy to have me because I would represent them in a manner which would inspire and promote them in the best light. To reach me my contact email anyanwutrue@yahoo.com

Q: Joy, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: I wanna thank God without him I would even be here. My parents and Family, Friends. Special thanks to my coach Layne Norton for his guidance, Slyvia Guise who looked at me and knew I needed to hit the stage. Thanks to Dwayne Turner my very first Personal Trainer and my dear friend. I want to thank Clarence Mcgill...who always encouraged me and knew "I had something special". My best friend Dawn Mccloed-Wiliams. BBW for letting me hang with them because I was alone at my first pro show. I also wanna thank Leanne Avery for letting be apart of her website. Tracy Hess for interviewing me on Zone 2b Toned and letting me pick her brain throughout the years. Philly Fit Mag for letting me appear on their cover in Nov 05. Rob Fletcher of ANGT.TV for our upcoming radio interview. and to you Jason Adams for asking me to be a part of your awesome tribute to women in fitness, your Awesome!