How Did You Get Started?
Growing up I've always been an active child and it's hard to remember a time when I wasn't playing a sport. I've played softball all my life and practically year round. During my middle school years I picked up basketball and played throughout high school. Once I got to college and had previously decided I was going to be a "normal" student and not play sports that idea quickly faded as I became a college athlete in a sport I had known nothing about previously.
In high school I thought I was in shape and fit and then I got to college and realized how much denial I was in. The intense workouts and competitive environment of college athletics took my training to another level. After college I still desired to workout regularly but now I wasn't training for a specific sport. I still utilize a lot of the same weight training principles but my body has definitely transformed to the next level with the addition of a focused nutrition plan.
What Workout Plan Worked Best For You?
My workouts are usually changing up every so often, but I generally follow a plan that incorporates weight training 4 times a week with some cardio days and then cardio only days twice a week and I take one off day from training completely.
My cardio consists of 15 to 45 minute sessions depending on the intensity and includes HIIT, and steady state.
If I'm doing a steady state cardio session, I get it done first thing in the morning.
Here's a sample of a workout week:
Barbell Rows: 1 set of 6 reps Romanian Deadlifts: 1 set of 6 reps Conventional Deadlifts: 1 set of 6 reps Front Squats: 1 set of 6 reps Military Press: 1 set of 6 reps Full Squats: 1 set of 6 reps Good Mornings: 1 set of 6 reps Day 1 PM:
Incline Dumbbell Press: 4 sets of 6 reps 90s rest Barbell Rows: 4 sets of 6 reps 90s rest Military Press: 3 sets of 6 reps 90s rest Pull Ups: 3 sets of 6 reps 90s rest Dips: 2 sets of 8 reps 75s rest Hammer Curls: 2 sets of 8 reps 75s rest Day 2: Circuit
Full Squats: 1 set of 15 reps Decline Push Ups: 1 set to failure Alternating Reverse Lunges: 1 set of 12-15 reps Reverse Grip Rows: 1 set to failure Step Ups: 1 set of 15 reps Jump Squats: 1 set of 20-25 reps Day 3: Cardio
Day 4 AM: Barbell Complexes
Barbell Rows: 1 set of 6 reps Romanian Deadlifts: 1 set of 6 reps Conventional Deadlifts: 1 set of 6 reps Front Squats: 1 set of 6 reps Military Press: 1 set of 6 reps Full Squats: 1 set of 6 reps Good Mornings: 1 set of 6 reps Day 4 PM:
Hack Squats: 4 sets 12 reps 30s rest Romanian Deadlifts: 3 sets 12 reps 30s rest Day 5:
Split Squats: 4 sets of 12-15 reps 0s rest Dumbbell Military Press: 4 sets 12 20 reps 0s rest Cable Crossover: 4 sets 12-15 reps 0s rest Push Ups: 4 sets to failure 90s rest Close-Grip Lat Pulldowns: 4 sets of 12-15 reps 0s rest Walking Lunges: 4 sets 12-15ea 0s rest Front Dumbbell Raises: 4 sets 15 reps 0s rest Day 6: Cardio
Day 7: Off What Nutrition Plan Has Worked Best For You?
I eat 6 times a day, a sample meal plan looks like this:
Meal 2:
Meal 3:
Meal 4:
Meal 5:
Meal 6:
Meal 1: What Supplements Have Given You The Greatest Gains?
The only "supplements" I take are fish oil, a multi-vitamin and whey protein. I currently use Optimum Nutrition's line of Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein; I like the Cake Batter, White Chocolate, Caramel Toffee, Chocolate Mint, and French Vanilla.
I also like to use Gaspari Nutrition's Myofusion when I want to make Protein Brownies or Cakes!
Why Do You Love Fitness?
I initially never had any intention of competing this year. It was always some far fetched goal I had, to have the body of a competitor. After a lot of support and encouragement from friends to compete I decided I was in good shape at that point and I would give one competition a try. Petrified at the thought of being on stage in a teeny tiny swimsuit and 5 inch heels I decided to try the Bikini division, since I wanted to compete soon and wasn't quite ready for the Figure division.
I had heard stories of people competing and then becoming hooked but I never thought it would happen to me. Well, I was wrong I competed in my first competition on June 12, 2010 in Chattanooga, TN and was officially hooked! Being surrounded by others who have put in the same hard work and dedication and understand what it's like to carry around Tupperware full of chicken while your friends are eating cheeseburgers is one of the main things I love about competing. Aside from the fact that I enjoy being on stage and hamming it up!
What Motivates You To Follow A Healthy Lifestyle?
The key factors that motivate me would have to be the goals I have for myself in the future. I want to be a successful fitness industry talent and in order to do so I have to train hard and network even harder.
Also when I initially started training and dieting again I didn't have a competition as my goal. I just wanted to be healthy and in shape again. So I guess the hardest thing to overcome was looking in the mirror and thinking how much I had let myself go physically.
What Made You Want To Achieve Your Goals?
The main thing that made we want to achieve my goals, was to live a life with no regrets and to seize the day!
What Are Your Future Bodybuilding Plans?
I will be competing again very soon at the Jr. USA Championships in August and then after that I will be probably take some time off before my next competition.
What One Tip Would You Give Other Fitness Competitors?
Figure competitions have taught me thus far that it's not about the trophy or the judges. Physique competitions is a very subjective sport, you can look your absolute best but if the judges decide they like another competitors look better than you have no control. It's not about some bronzed statue that's supposed to reward your hard work and dedication. Competing is about striving to achieve YOUR personal best and letting all the other factors roll off your back.
Who Are Your Favorite Fitness Competitors/Bodybuilders?
Wow! They are so many great fitness athletes that it's hard not to name everyone. Some of my top favorites are Ava Cowan, Jamie Eason, Monica Brant, Erin Stern, Alicia Marie, Tanji Johnson, Tianna Ta, Gale Elie, Jamie Baird, Tina Durkin, Nicole Duncan, Chady Dunmore, Sandi Thomas Stuart, and Valerie Haines. I could seriously go on forever.
What Features Do You Use On Bodybuilding.com?
I love to read the inspiring and incredible transformation stories and I also like to use BodySpace as well. The addition of the Bodybuilding.com iPhone app is awesome!
BodySpace
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