Carrie Simmons aka carrie ann simmons is an IFBB Pro Women's Physique competitor and aerial performer. She has been a member of Rx Muscle Forums since day one and is a self-described "huge Palumbo fan," stating, "He actually helped me in 2006 when I won the NY Metropolitan and took 2nd at Jr. USA as a middleweight BBer." Let's learn more about Carrie Simmons!
How were you introduced to the weights?
I was in my 20s and I started dating a competitor. After a few years together, he was finally able to drag me to the gym.
Are you married?
Yes, I am. Michael and I have been married for 3 years.
Seriously, I'm a romantic, how did you meet your spouse?
We met in 2008 online (MySpace) then in in person at the Arnold in 08. I was doing the amateur and he was a spectator. Been together ever since.
Awesome!
What is your favorite part of the iron game – strongman, bodybuilding, Men's Physique, Bikini, etc.?
Fitness! Wait they still have that don't they????? LOL. Honestly it is Fitness, then BBing/WPD.
You were an IFBB Fitness Pro, Bodybuilder, and now Women's Physique. Can you describe how that took place? Did anyone encourage you to switch divisions or was it a natural progression?
My azz is old!!!!! When I first started competing, there was only BBing and Fitness. There were no other divisions. So I went with fitness. I wasn't a gymnast or a dancer so IDK WTF I was thinking! I tried BBing in 2006 as an amateur (NY Met and Arnold Am) later when I had added some much needed muscle, but I was the world's thinnest middleweight, LMFAO. I eventually went back to Fitness when I moved out to LA. I was performing a lot with my aerial troupe and with all of that I couldn't/didn't want to get bigger for BBing.
Once I got my pro card in fitness I did 2 pro shows (NY Pro and Toronto Pro) the year they introduced pro WPD. I figured I'd give it a try because I was getting comments from the judges on my level of muscularity for fitness, and I did OK.
What's your favorite thing about bodybuilding?
Being able to reshape your body.
How have you reshaped your body? Were you slim, average, or heavier when you started?
I was SKINNY. I'm 5'4" and the first day in the gym I weighed 105 lbs.
What's your least favorite thing about bodybuilding?
Contest dieting.
And what's your contest dieting approach, keto, carb cycling, something else?
Carb Cycling. I tried keto with Dave. The first time around in 2006 it worked well. But unfortunately, I have some dieting demons. I have a tendency to overdo the fats. I can eat a whole jar of PB or cashews in one sitting. I could never do that with oatmeal. So I found that for me, the fats just triggered overeating. That was on me, not Dave. I was the problem there!
What is your goal so far as the weights go?
To keep lifting and staying in shape for as long as I can.
Would you share your greatest experience in the sport so far?
Having Arnold tell me I had great legs one day when I was training at Gold's in Venice! Honestly, I've had a lot. I've met some super cool people and made great friends.
High praise! And, yes, this sport has some awesome people and personalities. Do you have anyone who's served as a mentor?
My best friend Stacy Simons (another Pro Fitness chica) has definitely influenced and helped me through the years. My old training partner, and Al Fortney from Delaware, too.
What has been one of your greatest disappointments?
Not making it to the Olympia.
How is it looking for this year?
Pfffffttttttt..... Not happening.
I'm clueless about the points system. (Googles) http://www.ifbbpro.com/2015-olympia-qualification-series/
Do you have any favorite bodybuilders or strength athletes?
HELL YEAH!!!!!!
BBers, Old School: Robbie Robinson, Kevin L., Flex Wheeler, Lenda Murray, Cathy LeFrancois
New: Flex Lewis, Dexter Jackson, Victor Martinez, Steve Kuclo, Iris Kyle, Margie Martin
Who is someone you look forward to meeting and perhaps picking their brain?
Chris Aceto.
Until you get that opportunity, there's always Rx Muscle's Q&A with Chris Aceto!
Trust me – I read this one!
How's your training going?
Well. I'm finishing up my prep for the Prestige Cup. After that I'm focusing my training on a pole dancing competition I have in October.
How was your Prestige Cup prep? Were you satisfied with the result and what improvements are you focusing on?
I was happy with my look. It was a hard prep, because I tried to work with someone this year. It didn't work out. I wound up going back to the diet/training that has worked for me since 2009. I don't know why I try to fix what ain't broken. But after coming off of barely winning a show last year I wanted to try and push it, but I'm difficult to work with (Just askDave – LOL).
Ha!
Well, more importantly, congratulations on placing 12th in a field of 22 Pro Women's Physique competitors. How was the experience?
There's nothing to congratulate. 12th is NOT great IMO.
Spoken like a true competitor.
It is the lowest I've EVER placed as a pro. I made improvements from last year. It's just that unfortunately, I was not the look they were going for at this show.
What's the craziest workout program you've followed?
When I competed in fitness. All of that was crazy.
What has been the most effective workout you've followed?
Lifting heavy, hitting everything once a week in the gym. I'm basic.
Do you have a favorite bodypart to train or a favorite exercise?
BAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dead lifts and pull ups reign supreme!
What supplement company or brand does it right?
Right now I'd have to say Cellucor and Animal. I love their stuff. And No, I'm not sponsored by either.
If they both called today, who would you choose? No, don't answer that!
What's your favorite Cellucor and Animal supplement?
Cellucor – all their proteins (PB Marshmallow especially) C4, Super HD, and Alpha Amino.
Animal – Protein, Animal Pak and Juiced Aminos.
Favorite TV show?
Archer.
I just picked up season five on DVD. Love that show! Who's your favorite character? Archer then Pam for me! lol
ALL of them, but I loves me some Malory.
Pick three things you couldn't live without?
My husband, my cats and TV (I watch A LOT of TV)!
Do you have brothers and sisters? If so, do any of them hit the weights?
I have 1 sister and 4 brothers. One of my brothers works out. He was big into it when he was younger.
How did you learn about Rx Muscle Forums?
I've been around here from the beginning when Dave started it. I'm a huge Palumbo fan. He actually helped me in 2006 when I won the NY Metropolitan and took 2nd at Jr. USA as a middleweight BBer.
What's your favorite part of Rx Muscle Forums?
Ask Chris Aceto thread and Dave Bourlette's updates and video clips.
What would you do to improve the site and the forums in particular?
This one is loaded, because what I think would improve it has to do with the members. This goes for all BBing forums, not just ours. I really wish people were more respectful of one another. I'm not saying you can't have different opinions – that makes for great debates. But I wish people were mindful of what they wrote. I know I don't post as much as others, but there are times when I do and I sit there and type out what I'm going to say in a word document and read it several times before posting.
Bodybuilding is great on the Internet, because this is the only sport that fans get to interact with pros and legends on a daily basis. But there are so many who just don't see this as a cool thing.
Agreed!
Do you believe moderators should step in or that members should police themselves?
I think the mods do a great job. I think the members need to police themselves.
What's your opinion of the pit or a sub section devoted to all the poison?
If that would cut down on messy stuff on the main forums then fine, but I can say I'd never visit.
And is it important to have an area where people can let off steam in what some would call a negative way?
I guess for some folks it is, but again I wouldn't. In this day and age, I feel you have to be aware that what you say online (forums and social media) is out there for everyone to see – peers, prospective employers, clients, and yo momma!
Do you have a favorite movie?
Oh gosh, I have several that I can get sucked into no matter how many times I've seen them – The Fifth Element, Gone in 60 seconds, Pacific Rim, any of the Fast and Furious...
Did you see Terminator Genisys?
Not yet. But it's on the list. Now that the show is over and we're home from the USA we got some movies and TV to catch up on!
And is there anything you and Michael are looking forward to seeing?
Southpaw with Jake Gyllenhaal. We're both huge fight fans (he was a top level wrestler and I was a kickboxer). We prefer MMA but a good fight movie is a good fight movie.
Do you and your husband usually agree on movies or do you have different tastes?
We almost always agree. I think I watch lower brow stuff than he does, but most of the time we agree.
What's your occupation?
Creative Director.
Creative Director sounds interesting. Do you have typical days or is that ever-changing?
It changes, depending on what I'm working on. I'm in charge of a department that handles everything from corporate branding, web sites, product packaging, marketing presentations, FDA compliance documents, and a ton of other stuff.
What currently drives you nuts?
EVERYTHING. I'm dieting. LOL
What motivates you?
Continuing to get better. Whether it's BBing, dance, whatever. I love seeing how hard I can push and the results.
What are your hobbies?
I love to cook. I am an aerialist (Think cirque du soleil) and I pole dance.
Saw that when I was researching for the interview.
Are you still with Kinetic's Circus Troupe and acting as an aerial coach?
Actually, I am not. I unfortunately had to give it up when I took this current position. The whole real 9-5 job stuff gets in the way of fun. I still train and will perform on occasion. But it was a lot easier when I first moved to LA because I worked from home for an east coast based company so I was technically done work @ 2 p.m. PST and had time to do the fun stuff.
Do you have any pets?
Seven cats – Quadzilla, (Yes Quadzilla as in Paul DeMayo.) Big Al, Willow, Freddie, Stephanie, Logan and Jax. LOL. I had one named Flex Wheeler who passed away last year. He was almost 19.
Sorry to hear about Flex. But, wow, SEVEN? :-)
Actually, it is now 6. We lost Quadzilla the night before we left for the Prestige Cup.
Oh, no. :-(
Is your husband a cat or dog person?
Both. We both love all animals. It just so happens we have cats right now. We both grew up with dogs. He had a husky and I had a German Shepherd. We are also involved in animal rescue.
Any shout-outs?
Personal shout outs: My husband for putting up with my azz and always supporting me!
Industry shout outs: Wings of Strength for all the support they show ALL the women, especially the FBBers.
Thank you, Carrie Simmons, for taking the time to share with the members of Rx Muscle Forums. Great to learn more about you.
Carrie is on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Simmons/159354270759333?fref=ts
Instagram @ https://instagram.com/ifbbprocarrie/
Twitter @ https://twitter.com/ifbbprocarrie
And @ http://www.carrie-simmons.com/
Discuss this interview on Rx Muscle Forums @ http://forums.rxmuscle.com/showthread.php?132962-Carrie-Simmons-is-Rx-Muscle-s-Member-of-the-Month-for-August-2015!
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