Justine Moore Interview

Q: First, Justine, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.

Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: I grew up in a suburb of Wisconsin and had a wonderful childhood. My family is extremely important to me- I have one older brother, and my Mom & Dad are my role models and my best friends.

Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I was far from athletic growing up! I was overweight as a kid so as a teenager I made sure I stayed active and watched my diet. I was in dance and also did a lot of running, but team sports were never my thing.

Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: I gained a lot of weight my freshman year of college so I that’s when I started going to the gym regularly.

Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: I’ve been lifting weights for about four years now and I still constantly pick up new things. But training and dieting for shows is something that feels very natural for me... I thrive with discipline and I love my time in the gym with my headphones on. Its my therapy!
I started seeing results within about a month of training and the results have never stopped. That’s what I love about fitness; you just keep getting better and better.

Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: As a personal trainer I wanted to take my body to the next level. I wanted that fitness-model body that would make people think “Wow, I want to train with HER!”

Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: Initially my family and friends didn’t really understand it or hoped it was a temporary phase. However once they realized how important competing was to me, and that I wanted to make a career out of fitness everyone was very supportive. I’ve also learned a lot along the way and I’ve gotten much better at keeping a balance between my training and a social life

Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: The biggest surprise was that the toughest part of competing was NOT the training... Its not physical at all. The toughest part of competing is the mental aspect of it. Dieting and training for a show can feel very lonely and isolating at times. It helps to have a good support system of people who support you and encourage you to keep going.

Q: Can you share your contest history.
A:
*2011 NPC Eastern USA's- 3rd Place Bikini B Class
*2011 NPC East Coast- 2nd Place Bikini B Class
*2011 NPC Metropolitan- 10th Place Bikini B Class
*2010 INBF Wisconsin- 8th Place Figure Short Class
*2010 INBF Central- 6th Place Figure Short Class

Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: I get a lot of compliments on my tiny waistline. When I’m in full competition prep mode my waist comes down to 22 inches. I am also very proud of my glutes... they’ve come a long way, but are still my work-in-progress!

Q: Do you have a part you most like to train or favorite exercise?
A: I like training my glutes and shoulders the best. I also love deadlifting.

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 all positive reactions. Lots of people say “Ooh, will you train me?” I bartend at a nightclub, and when I was at work recently a guy said to me “Do you LIVE a the gym?” I said “Yes, I do.” I took that as the highest form of a compliment.

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I hate when people suggest that I starve myself or barely eat. Its so naive and ignorant... I eat 6-7 meals, not snacks, MEALS every day. I eat more than most of the men I know! I am far from starving myself!


Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: The misconception that bothers me the most is the idea that bikini competitors don’t train as hard as other athletes. For anyone who thinks this, I challenge you to keep up with me or any of my fellow Team Bombshell bikini athletes! We spend hours every day doing intense cardio, strenuous lifting and the dreaded plyometrics... Not to mention a bikini competitors diet must be immaculate to produce the desired look. The addition of the Bikini Division may have introduced a more “natural look” to the sport, but make no mistake: getting the female body tight and conditioned enough for the stage without looking too lean, skinny or muscular is not an easy task!

Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The worst part of training is having to stick to my diet regardless of what comes up- parties, weddings, holidays, etc. I’ve had to diet straight through my past two birthdays due to April competitions in 2010 and 2011... I ate my cod fish, sweet potato and asparagus... no cake! This year I am excited to be competing on my birthday- which means I can have cake, and hopefully a new trophy as well!
The best part of training is the results! The feeling of looking at your body and LOVING what you see is priceless.


Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: IFBB Pro Marcus Haley, WNBF Pro Brenda Rahe, and IFBB Pro Jaime Baird. These competitors are not only incredible athletes, but incredible people, and had a positive impact on me and my career.

Q:Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Just one? LOL. I love Mexican food, sushi, and DESSERT... especially anything with chocolate!

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: I tell women sometimes to “lift like a man”... Don’t be afraid to use heavy weight and train ALL the muscle groups evenly- legs, back, chest, shoulders, arms, and core. Don’t worry about getting “bulky,” females don’t have the same hormones as men so when we lift weights it sculpt toned, feminine muscle and curves-- not thick, bulky muscle mass.

Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: Yes! I think there is so much more information out there today for women about weight training and female fitness. I love it when I see another woman in the weight room walking around confidently!

Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I love to travel and go new places. I also love going out for dinner and watching movies, and spending time with my fiancé, family, friends, and my two kittens I rescued: Arnold & Olympia!

Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Justine Moore.
A; I wake up at 7AM and do morning cardio, usually at home on my treadmill. Then I eat my first meal while checking emails, Facebook and Twitter. After breakfast I pack up my gym bag and go to the gym to lift weights. All afternoon and evening I either train clients or go do a MET-Rx demo in the NYC/ Long Island area. When I get home I wash the dishes (lots of tupperware from eating my meals on-the-go), check emails again, and write diets and programs for online clients. From 9-11PM I spend time with my fiancé before its LIGHTS OUT at 11PM. My life gets very hectic at times, so I keep a weekly planner and plan out my day, hour-by-hour to make sure everything gets done!

Q: Describe Justine Moore in five words.
A: Driven, positive, ambitious, hard-working, passionate.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: I was NOT athletic in any way, shape or form growing up. In grade school I was the chubby kid, always picked last for team sports. I wish I could go back in time and show my younger self the trophies I’ve earned!

Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: My next competition is the 2012 NPC Metropolitan on March 31st (my birthday!) in New York City. I am also gearing up to compete at Nationals for the first time this year.

Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: No matter what your fitness goals, I have the knowledge and experience to take your body to the next level! I train clients both in person and online through 100% customized nutrition, strength, cardio and supplement plans. I am extremely passionate about what I do, and dedicate myself fully to each and every one of my clients. You can trust with me you are in good hands!
Lots of people know what they want (to lose weight, to tone up, to compete, etc) but they don’t know how to go about it. Hiring a coach or a trainer is an invaluable investment that you will not regret. I myself have invested in 5 different diet coaches and trainers over the years, and have learned so much from each one of them. So if you are serious about your goals do not hesitate to contact me today at: Justine.Fitness@gmail.com.
Also for lots of fitness tips, recipes and motivation please “Like” my Facebook Fan Page and follow me in 2012.

Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so what are they getting in Justine Moore the athlete and competitor?
A: Absolutely. Competing is a very costly sport... I am always looking for different types of sponsorship. I am a hard-working, positive individual with the knowledge, credentials, experience and personality to help any company grow and prosper. I deal with so many people on a daily basis who ask me for fitness advice, so I have a lot of opportunities to promote the companies, products and services I believe in!

Q: Justine, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thank you so much for asking me to be a featured athlete on your page! I appreciate the opportunity to be able to share my story and experiences with others!