Jill Crean Interview

Photo Credits
Photos 1 and 4: Anna Picinich
Photos 2-3: Rx Muscle


Some people can be considered an inspiration. Jill Crean is three inspirational people all rolled into one. You can decide which one you want to be inspired by. There is Jill Crean the cancer survivor, Jill Crean the competitor, or Jill Crean the person. All three are inspiring for different, yet similar reasons. At last years Garden State, Jill brought her best package ever to the stage, taking second in her class and first in Masters. She has shows coming up, which you will hear about, and its exciting to think of an even better version of Jill on stage.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: It actually started out as a bet with my father. You know that I had cancer right?

Q: Yes.
A: So when I got done with my chemo and radiation, it was like "woohoo let's go party and celebrate". So I put on a lot of weight. I wasn't fat by any means, but I was out of shape. I hit my thirtieth birthday and looked in a mirror and said "what are you doing? You are out every night, drinking with friends, eating shit foods, not sleeping. You went through hell to live and now you are destroying yourself". I asked my my friend Grace to take me to the gym. I would go with her as a guest and told my father this. He didn't believe I would stick with it. I asked him why and he said "you never stick with anything for to long", which he was right about. I was determined to prove him wrong. So I joined the gym and he paid for my membership. He said if I went every day he would buy my membership. So I went every day and ever day had to get a piece of paper from the gym to show that I had been there to bring him. He couldn't believe it and paid for my year membership. That's how it all started.

Q: Why did you decide to compete?
A: I was working with another trainer, by now at a different gym. I was working with sisters trainer, because she took kick-boxing with him. I thought "kick-boxing sounds interesting". I went with her and started doing it. It was the best workout. I found out her trained at a gym by my house. So I joined the gym and trained with him. I was getting ready for my wedding and had changed my whole body composition. I leaned out from training on my own, but now I had changed how I looked. He said "you look good, did you ever think of doing a show?" I always followed the whole fitness thing and said "no", he said "you should try and do one". So three months later I was on stage and got third place out of four or five girls. I got hooked after that.

Q: A lot of people become obsessed with competing and getting the pro card. You seem to be more of a person who sees it as a fun addition to training, is that accurate?
A: That's exactly how it started. I never thought of a pro card until Carlo (Filippone) put it in my ear. My old trainer, that I did the kick-boxing with, took me to Carlo seven years ago when I told him I wanted to keep pursuing competing. He brought me to Carlo, I was one hundred and nineteen pounds, and Carlo took one look and said "feed her, she needs food, she is to skinny. He said my structure was perfect and if I did what I was supposed to, I would be a pro. So I walked out all excited thinking I could be a pro. Richie said "no you can't." I said "Carlo just said I could." He said he didn't know why Carlo said that because your structure sucked haha. I never thought about it again because he had put it into my head that I would never be anything but a good local competitor. I started meeting girls and having fun and my old trainer and I had a big fight and I stopped training with him. I started training with P.J. (Braun), and he said "your structure is phenomenal meaning, you aren't the biggest girl but your structure is so perfect". I still didn't believe him until I saw Carlo last year and when I left Annette called and said "Carlo is obsessed with your structure, he thinks its perfect". That's when I started believing. I didn't think I could get a pro card, but he said I could.

Q: Your last show was the Garden State, you took second in your class and won Masters, it was the best you looked, how happy where you?
A: I was and I wasn't to be honest with you. I thought I looked better three days out than the day of the show, but overall I was pleased because i agree it was the best I ever looked. I killed myself to get there.

Q: Your biggest improvements looked to me to be shoulders and overall conditioning, would you agree?
A: Yes! I think it was more conditioning because he brought me in a little heavier on stage than any of my other shows. So the conditioning came in and because I wasn't as lean, it made me look bigger. That's what we are aiming four now. I am four weeks out and still six pounds heavier than last year and just as lean if not leaner.

Q: What shows are you doing this year?
A: I am doing the Garden State in four weeks, I have to defend my title. Then four weeks after that Team Universe, and then two weeks alter Masters Nationals.

Q: How do you decide which shows to do?
A: Carlo picks my shows. He wants to have a certain look, you might wanna do a show but he will tell you no if you aren't ready. He wanted me to do Atlantic States, and I begged him not to. I don't like the venue, its too crowded. Its like being in a small store at Christmas, wall to wall people. I told him maybe I should so I can get used to it at a National show, and he said national shows aren't that crowded, so I said "then I don't wanna do the show". I have to take time off work to do the shows, so It takes time away where i could do something with my family. Plus cost of the show, food and tanning adds up, so I wanted to skip the one show.

Q: From Garden State last year to this year, how will you be better?
A: I think my size is the same because I had two shoulder surgeries so I think my size will be the same, but since I started with Carlo, I have changed my shape. My back and lats are bigger, my legs are the same size but have more shape. Even with the bicep tendon that was just reattached, it has shape. My surgeon said it would never happen, it was too short a time. Carlo said we would prove him wrong and we did. I saw him a week ago and he was stunned.

Q: Is physique something you would consider?
A: No, because I am to small. I don't have the muscle size. People laugh but I think I could do bikini if I wanted to. Carlo says I have a skewed opinion of my muscle size and how I look and he is probably right. But I could never get big enough at my age.

Q: When you are in public, especially when you are in prep and more lean, do you dress and show it off, or cover up to avoid attention?
A: I don't change anything. I wear the same clothes in winter that I wear in summer. My gym clothes and regular clothes never change except I get to wear a smaller size.

Q: In the gym, more girls are doing cardio not lifting, do you get a lot of attention, people talking or asking for advice?
A: Yeah, mostly from women. Carlo has me do exercises in specific ways and my workouts are structured to work around my injuries. So people are curious why I do them that way.

Q: Does it ever get annoying?
A: Sometimes, usually it doesn't bother me cause people wait till I finish a set. Sometimes it takes to long and I get cold, but I am not the person who says "I cant talk to you right now."

Q: Anyone you want to thank or mention?
A: Shout out to my husband Michael for all his support, my girls Danae, Katie, Michelle, Annette, Anna, Lisa, Heather and Mary Grace, My trainers Carlo Filippone and Tatyana Redko for taking me on and making me an Elite Doll, and to my Mr. Fit It, Dr. Kraushaar for rebuilding me. Also you Jason, for doing a third interview with me, it is an honor.

Kashma Maharaj Interview

Photo Credits
1: Gene X Hwang
3-4: Wings of Strength
5: Muscle Angels

I was very excited when Kashma Maharaj agreed to an interview. She is someone I really look up to. Yes her physique is one part of it, but also, she is such a positive person. She clearly likes to and hopes to encourage women and younger girls to get in shape, get in the gym, and not be afraid. Kashma's goal is the IFBB pro card and to one day be on the Olympia stage. I think its a safe bet she will achieve those goals. In a short time, Kashma has added incredible size, a testament to her hard work and determination. It is that hard work and determination that will surely lead to her reaching those goals.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: I have had an athletic background since I was a child. So training daily for different sports was always part of my lifestyle. I was involved in martial arts, gymnastics and track and field. Going to college I wasn't so much involved in those sports so I started to work out in the gym to be healthy and fit and stress relief. I started seeing very quick results because I had never worked with heavy weights, I was into cardio workouts. People began to encourage me go on stage and try to compete. I told myself I would and started preparing in 2007, and in January a younger cousin died in a car crash. We used to workout together so that loss fueled my fire to take up the challenge and compete because it was something he wanted to do as well. So it was in memory of him.

Q: When you started would you ever have imagined being where you are now?
A: Not at all. When I started it was really just another challenge I presented myself. I never saw myself continuing with competing, I thought it was a once in a lifetime thing. From the first show, which I won, I was a figure competitor, and on stage, the person who is my coach now was in the audience. He saw my physique and came and talked about working together. With his help I really saw a lot of growth.

Q: Girls your size are not common, did friends and family react negatively?
A: Yeah, all my friends and family were not receptive to the idea of me on stage in a bikini. The country I am from is very traditional kind of culture. So being on stage exposing yourself was not normal. I went to school and was an academic, a top performer in my class. So the correlation wasn't there. There is the stereotype that bodybuilders are dumb meat-heads. So here is the person doing well academically with a great job and she is in the gym trying to get muscles and go on stage. They didn't understand. But they saw I really liked it and was determined, so they came on board after a couple competitions. I think part of it was a lack of knowledge of what the sport was. So once they became more educated on bodybuilding, they were more accepting.

Q: Long term, is the goal the IFBB pro card?
A: Yes, my goal is to get my IFBB pro card and compete on the Olympia stage. To do everything that is a part of the sport. But I also want to explore other options of being an athlete and what I consider a role model to girls. Any goals I have in bodybuilding are part of the greater plan I have for myself.

Q: Everyone wants to be symmetrical, but I always notice you are incredibly symmetrical, is that important to you?
A: It is. Some people are into the sport and its just about getting as big as you can, as fast as you can and being freaky, and that's fine. But my goal has always been to maintain a feminine shape and just add muscle on top of it. I didn't want to loose certain aspects of that feminine physique. I am not afraid to go heavy and do what my coach tells me, but he understands even though I may be two hundred pounds, I want to be two hundred pounds and still look like a woman so I can put on a dress and look sexy.

Q: Your biggest improvements seem to me to be your arms and back, can you give a short idea of what you do for arms?
A: I start with triceps and normally do five to six exercises. Something like a cable machine press down superset with kick backs. Then something like overhead extensions and superset it with reverse grip press downs. Then something like skull crushers and close grip bench press. I like to hit triceps first and hard because its a bigger part of your arm. For biceps, its basic. I don't even know the name of this exercise because itss something my coach invented, but its a kind of funny angle bicep curls and I superset with something like preacher curls. Then spider curls or barbell girls. that's basically it, four or five sets, ten to twelve reps.

Q: Girls your size are not common, in the gym, do you get a lot of attention or stares?
A: Yeah I do. I get a lot of stares, I get people asking questions, or people copying my routine when they think I am not looking haha. At first first it annoyed me, but now it doesn't bother me because at the end of the day, I don't look like the typical girl, so people will watch or ask questions. I am o.k. with it, I welcome it and am used to it.

Q: In public, do you dress to show it off, or cover it to avoid attention?
A: It depends on where I am going. Usually I will wear shorts, short skirts, dresses or halter tops, so a lot of my skin and muscle is exposed. It is not to show off, but coming from the Caribbean where its really hot, its how I am used to dressing. If I travel and its colder, I cover it up, but I am more comfortable wearing less clothing.

Q: Are you happy with the size you are at, or do you want to add more?
A: At this stage, considering I have only been into bodybuilding since 2009, I am really have with my muscle shape, density and conditioning. But my goal is to continue to grow and add size.

Q: You are starting to get popular with people who follow the sport, is there something you attribute that to?
A: Well I was not aware of that haha. I don't know. Perhaps the fact I am a foreigner. I know in the U.S. there is a huge fan base for bodybuilding, so perhaps being a foreigner and having a different look than what has been the norm.

Q: Any competing plans for this year?
A: Yes, I am hoping to do the Southern States at the end of July, and the Dexter Jackson in August. Then I may take some time to add size because I want to go into next years Arnold Classic with a different physique.

Q: Anyone you want to thank?
A: My coach Richard, the owner of Body Tech Gym, Joseph allows me to use the gym whenever I want and is extremely supportive. My family and friends who are a constant source of support. All the people who take the time to contact me by email or facebook message, sometimes words of encouragement really brighten my day. They don't realize they add to my life. Most of all, God, because I am extremely spiritual and without that aspect of my life, nothing would be possible.

IFBB Pro Michelle Blank Interview

Photo Credits
1: Dan Ray
2: Jeff Binns
3-6: RX Muscle.com


Michelle Blank earned her IFBB Pro card in her second ever fitness competition. Hows that for impressive? In 2011 she competed at the Fitness Olympia and took sixth place. Pretty good for an Olympia debut. Sadly she had to withdraw for the Arnold's this year due to an injury. But she then did the St. Louis Pro in physique and took second place. Michelle Blank is simply an achiever. I don't call her an over achiever because over achiever is defined as perform better or achieve more success than expected. If you know Michelle you know she can't be an over achiever because her doing what she has done is something you actually do expect. On top of that, getting to know Michelle, she is also one of the nicest and most supportive people you will ever come across. All she has achieved and will achieve is something expected, worked for, deserved and makes you very happy for her.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: Well, I really started as a gymnast when I was younger. Then I ended up getting a stress fracture in my back when I was sixteen. I went back to training after being out for six months and I did gymnastics for another year but I was still in a lot of pain because I had lost core strength. After a year I decided to retire and get a job. I didn't work out for several years, my college year. My senior year the lived with told me I was getting flabby. I didn't like that and went back to the gym. One of the first people I met was this little seventy year old name Florence. She was a little spitfire, in there six days a week for an hour and a half. She was such an inspiration and I said "I wanna be like her when I am seventy". I didn't get in really good shape till I got into the government and went to basic training to be a special agent. That was 2004 when I really started t hit the gym hard.

Q: What led to you competing?
A: When I moved to Pennsylvania I found a gymnastics place that had open gym. I started going and tumbling around to have fun. I had my core strength back and my back wasn't bothering me like it used to. I had realized I needed the core strength back after being in a hard plastic back brace. So I started going and over time there was a class that decided do a competition. The coach asked me to do the competition and I had a hard time saying no because there were women in their forties and had six kids and never competed and didn't have much gymnastics talent and they had the guts to do it so how could I sit there and say no. I competed and we had such a blast that we developed a whole team the following year. Two years later we had a new coach and she said "you are really symmetrical, did you ever think about bodybuilding?" and I was like "at one point I thought about fitness years back". She new Tracey Greenwood and said "I know this fitness pro and you should meet her". I met her and decided I wanted to compete in a fitness competition. So in 2009 I started working with her towards my first competition.

Q: You won your pro card at 2010 Jr. Nationals, your second show ever, going in did you think that was possible?
A: Well, when we were deciding with competitions to do, I qualified for Nationals at my first one, which is funny cause I had no competition at my first one haha, we decided on Nationals and see how I did, and then Jr. Nationals, and Team Universe was after that. We were hoping to get my pro card, but also just the experience of being on stage against competitors. But Jr. Nationals couldn't have gone any better other than there was a black-out after warm-ups. I was amazed and happy I got it that quickly.

Q: Some people go years and years without getting a pro card, did you experience anything that could be perceived as jealousy?
A: No, not really. I still went to Team Universe to hang out and get to know more competitors and watch routines cause its hard to watch when you are competing. I roomed with girls who are still trying for a pro card. They were really sweet and didn't really realize I hadn't competed that long. I think its just hard with my personality not to like me haha. I want everyone to do well and improve themselves. When I am doing well I still try and help other people. We all work really hard to get on stage and have different stories and motivations for why we do it. I don't do it just for the placing, I do it for the love of the sport. Also because of the people I get to meet.

Q: Fitness seems to have less girls competing, in that sense, can that make for less jealousy cause the girls all seem to get along and are trying to further the sport?
A: I think its just that everyone knows how much effort it takes. We have to work both a routine and physique. I think that's why there isn't that many people. It takes a lot of work and people don't have the time for that extra work. Fitness competitors respect each other as far as how much work it is to work on a routine and do it on stage.

Q: In 2011 you got to compete at the Olympia, what was it like to be on that stage?
A: It was such an incredible experience. Being on that stage with all those wonderful women, Adela (Garcia), Oksana (Grishina), Tina Durkin and Nicole Duncan, it was a joy. Big shout out to Jodi Boam, we were the newbies, and we spent a lot of time on stage next to each other the whole year and supporting each other. I remember being on stage at the finals looking at the lights and I told Jodi "we are at the Olympia" and she said "I know". It was such an honor to be on that stage.

Q: Everyone hopes to win, but sixth place at your first Olympia is outstanding, how satisfied were you with that?
A: I couldn't have asked for more. Of course you wanna win, but just being on that stage is an honor and sixth place was just icing on the cake. The opportunity to stand with the top six was amazing. I was filled with joy and my mom and grandma were in the audience watching me. I still have the flowers from it haha. It was an amazing experience.

Q: This year you had to pull out of the Arnold's due to an injury, how frustrating was that?
A: It was a very frustrating beginning to my year. Going into the Olympia I was dealing with injuries and I thought that was difficult, but it was even harder working towards the Arnold's. I tore my calf muscle and was trying to compete, it was a daily struggle, I had to adjust my diet, I couldn't work my routine. It was a struggle and we added therapy to try and get it to heal. The day we decided to withdraw was very difficult for me. I was lucky to have a friend with me and seeing my family the same day helped.

Q: You were there working, granted part was seeing me and having me as your coffee bitch again....
A: I appreciate that by the way haha.

Q: You're welcome haha. But you seemed fairly upbeat, did you have trouble being there and not competing?
A: I did during pre-judging. Nicole Duncan and I went to the pit area to watch. I had a tear in my eye, but things happen for a reason and that reason came a couple weeks later. I was happy to be there and support the competitors,and I had a great time working with Six Pack Fitness, they are a great company to work for. I had a great time being with everyone and meeting people and seeing people I met the previous year. You saw me, walking around on my hands and things like that. I had a great time, but competing wasn't in the cards. I try and make the best of everything.

Q: At the St. Louis Pro you competed in physique and took second, how did that come about?
A: It is an interesting story. I was supposed to compete in fitness, but couldn't due to my calf. Flights and hotels were scheduled and I wanted to go support Derek, who was the sponsor for fitness and I was kind of the reason he sponsored fitness for the show. I wanted to go support him and Jack and Ann (Titone) and the girls. So I went and it was gonna be like a vacation for me. Thursday night I ran into Bob Chicerillo and told him "I really wish I could compete". He said "you are looking pretty good", cause I was still dieting and training for the Pittsburgh Pro. He said "show me a double bicep" and I did and he said "you can compete in physique this weekend". I said "you are out of your mind". I learned the mandatories Friday and talked to my coach, and decided I was there so why not go for it. I am so glad I did because just being on stage after having such a struggle with the calf and dieting since Christmas and then not knowing if I would be on stage this year at all, it was a relief to be on stage. Taking second was just amazing.

Q: Your posing seemed pretty good for having no experience with it, was the posing hard at all?
A: No, I mean, I practiced as much as I could Friday and Saturday after pre-judge. Sara Hurrle and I practiced Friday, she was new to the division to. We helped each other out. There are only five mandatories, so it wasn't to difficult. I just went out and had fun with it. I need to teak a few things here and there and I will for the next one.

Q: So you are doing more physique?
A: I am competing May nineteenth in New York. I am excited and will be ready for this one. Its my time to shine now. I am excited to get back on stage.

Q: Long term, do you see fitness or physique as your future or can you do both?
A: I say I don't have to decide. Right now my body is deciding for me. So I will go where my body tells me to go right now. There are more physique competitions than fitness. I was hoping to train for Pittsburgh, but even at St. Louis my calf was giving me a hard time. My doctor realized where the problem is and therapy is working now. There are no other fitness shows to be ready for now, so I can focus on physique this year and see where that takes me for next year.

Q: Has doing physique required you to change anything with your training?
A: Well, it has. I have gone from three days to five days a week of lifting. I need some size on my legs, different shaping really. Not having a routine to train for makes it changed as well. I am enjoying it.

Q: Anyone you want to thank or mention or add?
A: I always have to thank family and friends for their love and support. They have helped me through this year. Tracey Greenwood always gets me in the right direction. I cant thank you enough for all your support. I always enjoy staying in contact with you. CJ's Elite, I am excited to get to wear her suits on stage. There are so many people. My website has some of them on there. I also do a blog on RX Muscle Girl every two weeks. I also became an athlete and ambassador for NOW Sports, a great natural product line.

Carla Esparza Interview

After a very close decision loss that she feels she won against Jessica Aguilar, Carla Esparza rebounded with a good win over Felice Herrig. Carla has asked for another shot at Aguilar but has so far been turned down. A rematch of what the fans on this blog voted 2011's Fight of the Year, is a fight fans of women's MMA would love to see, but unable to get the fight she wants, Carla as you will read, is not sitting around and waiting and is in talks to fight for another promotion as she continues to try and climb up the rankings and prove she can hang with the best.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the sport?
A: Well I started as a wrestler. I wrestled in high school and went to college and wrestled on a scholarship. Then I started boxing and Jiu-Jitsu and it started from there. I put them all together and started doing MMA.

Q: Your last fight was a win over Felice Herrig, overall how happy were you with your performance?
A: I think it was a good performance. I think I got to show my wrestling skills. Felice Herrig is a well known fighter so it was good publicity and good for my career to have my skills displayed on television on a big scale like that.

Q: Coming off a loss, how important was it for you to get a win?
A: It was important. I have only been fighting for two years but I wanna keep a solid record. If I lose to someone I want it to be something very close. I think I have the capabilities to beat anyone in the world and I never want to lose again.

Q: Before that fight, you lost a close decision to Jessica Aguilar. Is it safe to say you felt you won?
A: In my opinion I won the fight. I think the judges were biased and I think even the announcer who is good friends with her, announced the fight more in favor of her. I am looking forward to a rematch and I don't plan to have a close fight this time. I plan to dominate so there is no question in the eyes of the judges, or I will finish it.

Q: Why do you think the judges were biased towards her?
A: There is a couple reasons I think the were biased. First of all we were in her home town, so you have her home crowd rooting for her, and that doesn't hurt when the judges hear everyone screaming your name. Secondly, the judges in Florida are boxing judges. They are all in the boxing commission. I threw a lot of kicks and I think maybe takedowns and kicks aren't as respected in the boxing commission. They weren't for my style and respect the boxing more. Finally, I think a lot of people gave Bellator a lot of flack for the decision they gave to Zoila Frausto against Jessica Aguilar, so I think they didn't want more anger from the fans.

Q: Is there anything in that fight you could have done differently?
A: I think I could have grounded her early in the round and more often. I think I was more intimidated then I should have been of her ground game. I have a solid ground game and should have been more confident in my ground but I guess the hype got to my head.

Q: You have said you want a rematch, I assume you still want it?
A: Yeah, actually we just asked her camp for a rematch and they declined it for the time being. Along the line its gonna happen but unfortunately its not gonna right now cause they turned it down.

Q: Why do you think they turned it down?
A: Its all kind of opinion, I don't really know why. She was at the fight when I beat Felice, and I think she knows she can't stop my takedowns. I actually saw her buy a pair of wrestling shoes and head gear cause she posted it on her Facebook a couple days after my fight. I guess she is taking more time to work on her wrestling, but I am not sure why they turned it down.

Q: On my blog the fans voted it the Fight of the Year, even though you didn't get the decision, can you take satisfaction knowing you put on a performance so many people liked?
A: Yeah, I always love to put on a good fight and show my skills and heart. I think that's something I have always done, put on a good fight, because when you put your everything into the cage, how can it not be a good fight?

Q: Do you think people look at you as maybe a wrestler and not realize you have a stand-up game and under estimate it?
A: I think anyone who has seen my last couple fights where I have stood a lot, wouldn't be able to under estimate it. But people who don't know me a lot could under estimate my stand-up game.

Q: You saw the Invicta card correct?
A: Yes I did.

Q: What did you think of it?
A: I thought it was amazing. I loved watching and was pumped up. Me and my friend who is a fighter were texting back and forth commenting on the show the whole time. It was a good show, I think the ladies put on some good performances.

Q: Do you want to fight for them?
A: Yes, I am actually in the process of setting up a fight to be on the next card as a matter of fact.

Q: Long term, what will it take for an all female promotion to be successful?
A: Long term, they need to keep doing what they are doing. The word is getting out. I think for anything to be successful you just have to have a good product and fans will come. I think they have come and word is getting out and I see it getting bigger and bigger.

Q: Do you think people in charge of big promotions maybe don't realize how big the fan base is for women's MMA?
A: I think everyone has their own opinion on women's MMA. Its getting to the point where its hard to deny there is a fan base out there. The only problem is for smaller promotions, to get a higher quality bout, you have to fly people in. For smaller shows that's not on option maybe, but for the bigger shows, I think they will get their act together.

Q: If you could pick one person you wanna fight, outside of Jessica Aguilar, is there someone?
A: For me there is no one specific. I want tough fights with people above or close to me in the rankings. I want a challenge and a good fight.

Q: Your only other loss is Megumi Fuji, is that a fight you would want?
A: Yeah I would love to fight Megumi again. She has never stopped improving and is a phenomenal grappler, and her stand-up is getting better. With the right preparation I think it would be a lot closer this time around.

Q: After I said we had set this interview up, a lot of people said how I would like you and how nice you are. How important is it to you to be liked and respected by people in the sport?
A: Its very important to me. I think being a good role model and positive influence to the fans and the people in charge is important. It will push us forward as people see we are athletes and not a side show.

Q: Anyone you want o thank?
A: First my team Team Oyama. My biggest sponsor Brawl and Maul, they have supported me and I really appreciate it. Also Innovative Results.

Beth Polisson Interview

Beth Polisson is one of those girls. One of those girls who never seems to place where she should, at least in my eyes. But you have to love her attitude, her "this is a hobby" attitude. She trains and competes because it is fun for her. In December she switched to competing with the OCB at the Yorton Cup, for reasons you will read in this interview. I am excited for her because this is her opportunity to prove how good she can be.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: I have been an athlete since I was a little girl. I grew up as an athlete in an athletic family. I started lifting in high school for sports and then in college playing soccer and softball. It has been something I have been doing my entire life.

Q: How long had you been seriously training when you decided to compete and why did you decide to compete?
A: I had been training probably six or seven years but I wasn't looking the way I wanted to look. I hired a personal trainer who was a former NPC fitness competitor. She and I worked for a couple months and I saw drastic changes in my physique. So we thought it was something I should try given my genetics for it. So she kind of talked me into it and I did my first show eight to twelve months later.

Q: Were there any competitors you admired?
A: I've always looked at pictures for posing and stage presence and overall physique of Erin Stern and Candice Keene. They are the two that always caught my eye. I feel the two of them are the ones I identify with the most because they have such athletic physiques, not that mine looks remotely close to them, but because I am athletic I gravitate towards athletic woman. I love the two of them because they look like true athletic women.

Q: You are one of those girls who when I see your competition pictures I always feel you should have placed higher, do you ever get off stage and feel that way?
A: There was one show last year where I feel I should have done better. But at the end of the day I do this as a hobby and for fun, so if the judges don't like me or there is something political I can't control, you cant control your placing, you control what you bring to the stage that day. When I train I focus on bringing the best me and the best physique I can to the stage and the rest is in the judges hands. Yeah there are disappointments and you think you should have placed higher but I don't let it bother me.

Q: in December you did your first show with the OCB, the Yorton Cup, why did you switch to them?
A: You know, I competed in the NPC for two years and then switched to the OCB for a couple reasons. One was the drug testing factor. I didn't feel comfortable on stage against girls who outweighed me by ten or twenty pounds who had maybe taken something. If that's what they choose to do that's fine, but its not what I choose to do. So I wanted an organization I could be more competitive in. I had a great experience, you get more stage time, it isn't as political, and I really enjoyed my experience with the OCB.

Q: So its safe to say you want to keep competing with them?
A: Yes definitely. I am trying to do three shows this summer starting in August, and September and maybe October.

Q: From the last show, what improvements do you wanna make?
A: My trainer and I were used to the NPC figure physiques, leaning towards a softer look. So I came in softer than I would have wanted to for a figure competition, I favor a hard physique. The OCB turns out to favor hard, lean striated physiques. So I was too soft, and next show I am gonna come in harder than hell.

Q: The first thing that sticks out about you is your shoulders and delts, can you describe your typical shoulder day?
A: I work shoulders a couple time a week. Once on their own with heavy heavy sets and I don't super set, I do do some drop sets. I start out with a compound movement like over head military press on the smith machine. I typically work through a set of rep ranges, so for example, sixteen reps then twelve reps then ten then eight and then six. Then I usually will do something for rear delts whether on a cable machine or lay chest down on an incline bench and hold a pair of dumbbells and lift straight up and it hits the rear delts. Then I do another exercise for the medial delts like heavy lateral raises for four sets and a drop set at the end. Then I finish with something for front delts. To be honest people try to get to squirly with shoulders and the best you can do is an overhead press a front raise and a lateral raise and something like an upright row. I work them later in the week when doing metabolic circuits, so I hit them two or three times a week and it gives them more size.

Q: In the gym, do you get unwanted attention or stares?
A: To be honest with you I might, but I am so in the zone that I don't notice it. I say hi and smile. People are curious. I may hear a comment and get grossed out but mostly people are curious. Its not every day you see a woman in the gym with the guys lifting as much as them, so its more curiosity I think.

Q: In public are you more a dress to show it off or cover it up to avoid attention person?
A: I dress my physique to the best of its abilities. I wear something fitted but not revealing. I don't show cleavage but do wanna show off my shoulders. I don't cross the line skanky and classy.

Q: You have done photo shoots, do you enjoy that?
A: I do, I really do like it. For me especially before a show, although I do them in off season to, but before a show for me, its a chance to sit back, relax and pamper yourself. You work hard and want to document what you have done. I wanna show these to my kids one day and look back at what I accomplished.

Q: My trainer always talks about not wanting my weight to be much over what it is going to be when I compete, you never seem much over your stage weight, is that accurate?
A: Yes!

Q: Why do you do it that way?
A: I like to be able to do a photo shoot or be in a bikini at all times. I am not a big fan of "bulking", a lot of people use off season as an excuse to get fat. Its not a time to shove whatever you want into your face. When you cycle your weight up and down like that it can lead to metabolic issues and with a myriad of issues. I stay eight to ten pounds above stage weight. Right now I am six or seven pounds above it. I am comfortable there. I like to wear the same clothes year round.

Q: You recently did booth work at the Arnold's, and with girls like you and Jillian (Reville) it was a popular booth, outside of the awesomeness of finally meeting me haha, is that something you enjoyed?
A: Haha yeah! I had such a great time. It was great to finally meet the people at Beast that I had corresponding with for a couple months. It was humbling cause people acme and introduced me and said they follow me and my recipe blog, and it was great to meet these people in person. It was awesome. Its hard work but to meet all these people with a common interest was awesome.

Q: Is it a chance for you to find out you have more people that follow you than you would have thought?
A: Yeah, I had no idea so many people followed. It was humbling.

Q: Anyone you want to thank or mention?
A: I have had a couple tough months. I broke up with a boyfriend of five years and started a new job. My closest friend Ryan Althoff has been an amazing support system for me. She is sponsored by Beast now which is awesome. She is a good genuine person and friend. She has been my rock the last couple months. I also need to give a shout out to Beast. I just got picked up by them a little shy of a year ago. They are great, I get to blog for them. The Beast team is so awesome and funny. They are very supportive.

NGA and IFPA Pro Sandy Wiedmeyer Interview

Since I started this blog, I have met many people, and become friends with some. One of the friends I consider myself most fortunate to have met is Sandy Wiedmeyer. Sandy is not only an NGA pro, but along with her Team F.A.B. co-owner Staci Boyer, Sandy is helping bring in the next generation of competitors, as evidenced by some impressive showings by several of their competitors. Sandy herself will be stepping back on the stage soon and you will surely see the results of the hard work put in by one the the most genuinely nice people in the fitness industry.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: I started after I had my second child. I had a good friend who is a personal trainer and group exercise instructor. She basically told me if we were to be friends then I needed to be at the gym with her. So I went to the gym and started taking cycling classes and a body pump class and feel in love with it and it blossomed from there.

Q: How long had you been training before you competed?
A: If you look at hard core training it was only a couple months, but I had been at the gym for three years or so before I walked on stage.


Q: What made you decide to compete?
A: Actually an injury. I used to enjoy running and injured my ankle and couldn't do over two miles without my foot getting numb. I tend to be goal oriented so I needed something to work towards, and always admired competitors and how they carried themselves and their physiques. So I set that for my next goal.

Q: A lot of people say after that first show, that competing becomes an addiction, was that the case with you?
A: Oh gosh yes. I new after the first time I walked on stage that I would do it again. part was the journey, part was the experience, part was the promoter John Abraham, you could tell he was passionate about what he did, and the way he spoke with us and treated us. How friendly everyone was surprised me, it made me wanna do it again.

Q: When you first started were there any competitors you watched and tried to learn from or admired or anything?
A: When I first started I think I was kind of clueless. I just jumped in and trained with a friend who had competed once, and did a lot of online research and went in blindly. Since then I have met several friends who inspire me. There are a lot of great physiques out there and a lot of people who get published a lot and a lot of attention, and of course they are inspiring and admirable, but its the girls who surround me every day that are doing the things I do, balancing a family and career and getting workouts in and supporting each other who inspire me more than anybody.

Q: In 2010 at the Heart of America you won your NGA pro card, when you first realized you won it, what went through your mid?
A: I don't think I processed it. I was actually shocked because I had shown up that day and it was the same show I had done the year before for my first show and had such a good experience, and I had high hopes, and saw the amazing physiques and resigned myself to that I would just have a good time. It was more about having a good time and showing improvements and not worry about the pro card. It probably helped me, I was at ease and had no pressure.

Q: For people who may not know, its a natural organization. Do you feel that maybe those organizations don't get enough coverage?
A: I think we all know they don't get a ton of press. But I think most people who compete in natural organizations, and I am not saying its exclusive of those in NPC or IFBB, but I think for most people in natural organizations, you aren't doing it for the glory and press. We do it for pure love of the sport. Not taking anything from people who compete in other organizations and that they wouldn't do it for the same reasons. But I think its more rampant in natural organizations. But yeah, we don't get the same kind of coverage but we know we aren't and don't expect it. There are still opportunities, I have great sponsors and a support system.

Q: Recently you and Staci Boyer started Team F.A.B., can you explain how that got started?
A: I had known Staci for a little while. We met at one of the shows and we stayed in contact on social media and hit it off. We had both been searching for ways to work together and do something positive. I used to and still do camps for girls interested in competing. I was gearing up for a new one and the girl who helped with the fitness portion injured herself and wasn't going to be competing and was not interested in presenting at the seminar. I knew Staci had done fitness and I figured it was a way to partner up. So I approached her and invited her and she agreed to come. At that time I had been picked up by Pride Nutrition as a sponsored athlete so I invited them to come and talk about supplements and things. They came along and did their part and like how me and Staci worked together. So me and Staci talked about how we could work together. We were both training girls for shows so we figured two heads are better than one, so we could train together. We talked to Pride about sponsoring the team and they jumped on board. Its been less than a year and we have sixty competitors on the team, a great group of supportive girls. We are big on making sure we bring in the kinds of girls who help each other. They compete in NPC, natural organizations as well as girls in state and out of state.

Q: If a girl is reading this and is interested, what all services can they get with you?
A: We do everything. If you are from a distance we can't be there to do your hair or tan you, which we do for local girls. We do consult with them on hair, suits, make-up. We do skype posing and its been successful. If you have a good physique and don't know how to display it, it doesn't do you a lot of good the day of the show. We do local posing sessions, we do it tall. We do training, nutrition, posing, we call it the glamination, we do it all so they are ready the day of the show.

Q: Two scenarios, you are competing and do well, or one of your girls competes and does well, which is more satisfying for you?
A: That's a tough question, but honestly its when they do well. I feel like this is what will give me longevity in an industry I love. It means more to me to help them get where they want to be. Its gratifying to help with their journey and see in them things that I have felt in my journey. Its like spreading the wealth, it becomes bigger than you.

Q: Is there more you want to accomplish with it, or is it now where you want it to be?
A: Honestly, a little of both. I love what I do now and hope I am doing it in ten years, whether its me competing or getting girls ready for the stage, I am content with either. But I would like to see it grow. I'd like to see more girls on the team, girls on the team helping other girls get ready for shows, spreading it out and reaching more people.

Q: With all that going on and having a family, is it hard to find time for your own training?
A: Yes haha. Last year when I competed I had girls I trained at the same show and it was difficult. But its grown so much in the last year and I am so much more busy that it is hard to keep focus on your own prep. I am always at shows, whether with girls I prepped, or booth work for my company or myself competing. So it can be difficult to stay connected with what I am supposed to be doing, so it takes more focus. Thank goodness I have Staci, I look at her and say "this is where I am at", and she can look at my physique for an outside opinion. I rely on her for that and she has done the same thing. We have each other to lean on when we are busy and distracted from what we should be doing for ourselves.

Q: Do you have any competing plans?
A: Yes, I have a show May 12th, the NGA Heart of America again in Washington, Illinois. He is bringing pro figure back this year so I will be there competing.

Q: You have been doing photo shoots, is that something you enjoy?
A: I enjoy doing it. I will be forty this year, I have two children, its nice to mark the progress and see what I've done. I tend to take a year off between competitions, I may not this year. Its nice to document where you are at and come back the next season and do photos and see how you have changed. Its a lot of self satisfaction.

Q: I can tell with each new photos you look more confident each time, is that accurate?
A: I think so. Like most people, the longer I do this the more comfortable I become with myself. I feel I have made nice improvements, I am not where I want to be, most of us are never satisfied, but I feel comfortable with the changes I see in my physique and am pleased to be in front of a camera with that confidence.

Q: Anyone you want to thank or mention?
A: I have to put my husband and kids at the top of the list. They put up with me and my work, being gone at shows, my crazy meal plans, time at the gym, texts from the girls. So I have to thank them for their patience and support. Staci Boyer for her inspiration and being there for me and our girls. We couldn't be where we are without each other. The girls on Team F.A.B. for their support, loyalty, drive and inspiring me every day. Pride Nutrition for their wonderful sponsorship and helping me transform my physique. I need to thank Cabana Tan and Spa. When I have shoots or events, they make sure my color is just right. Suits by Amy for sponsoring my suit this year, I cant wait to show what that looks like. Original Rock Star is team up with us and we have wonderful things going on. Jason I need to thank you for taking the time to talk with me.

Lynn Sambuco Interview

One of the things I enjoy about doing these interviews, is you never know where a really good interview will come from. Sometimes its the person you have forever wanted to interview, but sometimes its like the case of Lynn Sambuco. Someone I admittedly was not overly familiar with. I knew of her but knew little about her. I was contacted by a fellow competitor and Lynn was recommended to me. So we did this interview, and its quickly one of my favorites. Lynn competes in Bikini and has done very well including an impressive sixth place at the 2012 Arnold's. As you will read the was the oldest one in her class, which is amazing when you consider she looks so much younger. So please read and prepare to become a Lynn Sambuco fan.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: Pretty much I grew up as a tomboy, I was very good in sports. I vividly remember in gym climbing the rope, I was the only girl who could go up the rope and back down. Not only that, but, beat the guys at it. Sometimes they wouldn't like it and pinch or push me. What I had was kinda like a gift and was different from the other gals. When I was nineteen I started in the gym environment through a friend who invited me. I started lifting weights, and noticed I started to get a different look to me, and that was my first take on lifting weights.

Q: What made you compete?
A: I constantly got asked if I competed. I didn't even know what it was at the time. So me and a friend checked out a local show. I liked what I saw and said "wow, I can do that, I can see myself doing that". I liked that there was structure involved and goals to meet. I have always been goal oriented. So I trained for my first show.

Q: Most people know what bodybuilding is, but most don't understand that bikini is actually fitness and not some random T&A show. Did you have to explain to people around you what it was?
A: Yes! I constantly, and I still find myself explaining it. Even though its been around five years. People don't seem to equate bikini to bodybuilding. I think it is still misunderstood.

Q: A lot of people say that first show they do forms an immediate addiction, was that the case for you?
A: Haha, yes. Its amazing the adrenaline you get. The excitement I felt when I stepped on that stage, it was the whole journey of preparing for it, it was an amazing feeling I will never forget.

Q: You did a few shows in 2011 and did quite well, and then did the Arnold's this year and took sixth. Looking at pictures it seems your overall conditioning was really improved, was that a goal of yours?
A: Yes! I wanted to get smaller. I took up long distance running to achieve that. I joined Fitness Factory out of Columbus, Ohio, and he started me on his dieting plan. Prior to that I did it on my own. It seemed to dramatically help.

Q: Everyone hopes to win, but the Arnold's is huge, and sixth place against those competitors is impressive, were you satisfied?
A: I was just elated from the beginning to look around and see that in my class I was the oldest competitor. To come out in sixth place out of twenty-seven gals was an amazing feeling.

Q: Do a lot of people get surprised that you have competed in Master's, because looking at you, its hard to believe?
A: Yes! It makes me feel good. When I did Master's I was not under the direction of anyone. It was a local show and I decided to do it. I don't look at myself in the mirror and self evaluate like that. People say they cant believe I am forty. I am always humble and modest about that. It surprises me people make such a big deal out of it.

Q: long term, is a pro card the ultimate gaol?
A: I would love my pro card.

Q: Do you know your competing plans for this year?
A: I am going for Masters in my home town of Pittsburgh at the end of July, then North Americans and then Nationals.

Q: What improvements do you want to make for those shows?
A: In talking with a judge he encouraged me to keep leaning out my legs. So I will continue with that. Long distance running seems to help me dramatically. I am always evolving and growing and it makes me feel better. From 2010 till now, looking at my photos, there is a big difference.

Q: Recently I saw a bodybuilder say she takes offense to bikini girls saying they train hard, does that bother you?
A: It doesn't bother me at all, and this is the reason. My first show I started in figure, and I feel many figure girls they feel there is so much time and effort put into what they do and they don't feel bikini girls put as much time and effort in. In my case, I do, just in an opposite way. I tend to put on muscle easily, but the running and conditioning and cardio takes just as much effort, its just a different training. Everyone wants validation for their hard work.

Q: Do you have a set lifting routine or do you change it up?
A: I do like to change it up. I do have set things that work for me. I find shocking my body causes added gain. For instance I recently did cross fit and will start to incorporate that.

Q: At the gym, you are beautiful and look great, do you get a lot of unwanted attention or stares?
A: Most of my experiences have been positive. I have had some where I am trying to train and they keep talking. I allow it to a certain point then let them know I have to move on. I like to talk to all kinds of people, so I don't put anyone off.

Q: You have done photo shoots, do you enjoy that?
A: When I was younger, and this is part of my personality type being geared towards this industry. When I was nineteen I was asked to model swimwear, it was about when I got involved in the gym. I loved it. Loved walking the cat walk, the commercials, it was fun. But I didn't explore it too much, getting pictures out there and what not. I got caught up in dating my husband and it took precedent. Then I had a girl who had a massive stroke and lost the left hemisphere of her brain. I had to put everything aside. It was horrific, we were told she couldn't walk or talk. Those years were difficult. When she started walking and realized she would talk, we did a ton of therapy to get her back on track and it paid off. She is in a regular classroom today. Her brain astonishingly did a reverse where the left hemisphere produces speech, her brain did a flip flop. Maybe cause she is a girl and we like to talk a lot haha. She now uses big words and is a normal girl, its amazing.

Q: Anyone you want to thank or anything you want to add?
A: I want to thank Holly Powell, she is amazing. She is not just a great competitor, she is my best friend and someone people can admire, and I am one of them. I am glad she reached out to you so you could reach out to me. I am thankful for what i have gotten with all this. After my daughter got better I realized I wanted to rebuild the dream of competing. I am so much happier. I feel a lot of women struggle with it and wonder how I can do it cause they have families. I do to, and we work together and it accomplishes a stronger family. I would highly encourage everyone to not give up on your dream. Visualize it and set your goals to achieve it. You have to do what makes you happy. It causes everyone around you to be happy as well Fitness is my happiness, its been my life.