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Listy Allen: Pro at 21!


She’s been competing since when she was only 14 years old. Her first bodybuilding show was held at her high school in Tampa Bay, FL. Today, she looks in the mirror and sees one of the youngest IFBB figure Pros ever! Not a bad sight to see! Continue reading and see how Listy Allen is handling Figure Fame in the NPC/IFBB.



_W5Q9948_KAKSRXOMUNRX: We’ve been trying to catch each other since the USA’s when you earned your Pro card. As a matter of fact, one day I tried to catch up with you and you were in the middle of moving. Where’d you move to?


LA: I moved with my boyfriend from California to Colorado.



RX: Why the move?

LA: My boyfriend has family in Colorado and it also happens to be one of the fittest states in the U.S. I feel like I belong here and I see a good future for us in the fitness industry here.



RX: Sounds like a great place to be if you’re in to fitness. Are you working already?

LA: Sure am. I am a Personal Trainer at 24 Hour Fitness in Lakewood.



RX: You started competing in Women’s Bodybuilding. Why did you switch to Figure?

LA: When I very first started, there wasn’t any Figure. So when it came out, I loved the look of the Figure girls. For me, they weren’t too big or bulky. It was a look that I wanted to have and felt it was right for my body.



RX: Today, only five or six figure competitions later, you were obviously right. Do you feel any different now that you are a Pro?

508324818_tgtfy-MLA: Yes! I can tell you the specific defining moment: I came off the stage at the USA’s and I got handed a check from the chairman (I didn’t even know they were giving one out for traveling expenses) and people were grabbing me for interviews and other people wanted pictures…it was crazy. I was thinking to myself: Wow, is this my life from now on? I really felt like a celebrity.



RX: What about being a representative of Figure now? Do you feel pressure to meet any current standards or make improvements since you’ll be sharing the stage with the best of the best?

LA: I’ve got a lot of things going through my head. After I won, I heard a lot of different things. I would go online and read the forums and the blogs and people were saying that I didn’t deserve to win because I am so young, or because they want me to have more muscle. I had to take a deep breath and I turned to my boyfriend for advice. I have a tendency to stress and, as usual, he offered good, positive advice. He told me that I needed to focus on me and work on what I think it’s all about. So, I’m just going to do the things that show off my body the best and remember all of the hard work that I put in to this. In my opinion, more muscle would be bodybuilding. I think that figure is more about symmetry and overall stage presence. I need to fine tune some areas, for sure. But as far as being on that stage, I have no worries! I LOVE the stage. I feel like I belong on the stage!



cautioninjpegRX: What’s next for you? Will you do a pro show this year?

LA: I will be doing the Sacramento Pro. I just started dieting yesterday – no more ice cream!



RX: Ice cream is your favorite cheat? What kind?

LA: Ooohhh….Dove Raspberry Swirl with the ganache on top. I swear I could live on ice cream alone!



RX: Will your strategy change or will your contest prep be the same?

LA: Everything is virtually identical to my past contest preps. I’ll be keeping the same protein / carbohydrate / fat ratios; I have the same nutritionist and the same trainer. The only difference is that this time I’ll be dieting longer. The last show I dieted for 7 weeks. This show I’ll be dieting for 10 weeks. My goal is to come in a little harder this time without losing too much muscle.



RX: Harder? What is your opinion on the figure judging as of late? What girls do you feel are winning the contests?

LA: My opinion? The softer girls. I am seeing the softer, fuller girls taking the shows. It’s definitely difficult to tell what the judges are looking for, though. Personally, I think my body needs to be a little harder, but in general, the judges seem to be rewarding the girls with the softer, more feminine physiques. I think that the bikini division is actually helping to define the new look of figure. We have a whole realm of female competitors to look at and compare now.



RX: What is your off season weight?

LA: Off season I tend to stay around 135 lbs. On stage I weigh 123 lbs.



RX: And how tall are you?

LA: 5’ 5 1/4”



USAs09298RX: What areas are you looking to improve upon?

LA: My shoulders need more overall roundness, so I’m working on bringing up my rear delts.



RX: What does your cardio program look like?

LA: I do SUPER high intensity cardio on the Stepmill for about 20 minutes – it’s actually 8 cycles of intervals. Then I do an additional 20-25 minutes of moderate intensity cardio. I usually do my cardio in the morning.



RX: How about your weight training program?

LA: I usually spend about 2 hours weight training. I do legs on Wednesdays and Saturdays, splitting up my quads and my glutes & hams, back and rear delts on Monday and chest & bi’s on Friday. I’ll train triceps once a week to work on some detail. I do my weight training in the evening.



RX: Are there any pros that you model yourself after or look up to?

LA: Gina Aliotti. I’ve always looked up to her. I feel like we were supposed to be sisters…I’m sure she doesn’t know that. We have so much in common. She also turned pro when she was 21 years old. When I went to San Diego to train with her, I got a really good vibe. She’s a great motivator, too. She also worked with me on my posing – I’m so glad she helped me with that. I learned so much from her!



RX: How do you feel about possibly standing on stage next to Gina?

LA: That would be amazing! If I’m going to lose to anyone, I’d want it to be her!! It’d be an honor to compete alongside her.



USAs09187RX: What are your expectations for the Sacramento Pro?

LA: Actually, top three! I know I dream big, but I plan to come in harder.



RX: Do you have any tattoos?

LA: Yes. I have one on my left butt cheek. I call it my lucky tattoo. The guys backstage didn’t know my name and they always called me “Miss Heart.” My Mom has one almost just like it, so maybe I’ll pass it down to the next generation.



RX: Do you have any advice for anyone who may be looking to follow in your footsteps?

LA: Never give up on your dream. You have to keep that mindset and put your dream in your mind. Keep it there and believe in it. Feel it with everything you have. And stay motivated even if you lose. Ask the judges what you need to improve upon. Envision yourself accomplishing your dream and tell yourself that it will happen.



RX: Listy, is there anyone you’d like to thank?

LA: Oh yeah: my family for supporting me all along, my boyfriend for pulling me up when I had my moods. He also is my tan guy – he paints me and does an awesome job. I always get compliments on my tan. Also, my trainer, Carl Frady, who literally transformed my body. I never would have won that show without him. Oh – and Gina Aliotti. She’s my idol and she helped me where I needed the most help. And I want to thank RX Muscle for the media attention!

 

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