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Spotlight On IFBB Womens Physique Pro: Nickie Clark
Category you compe
te in: Women’s Physique
Date of birth: 2/24/1974
Hometown: Hampton, VA
Career: Domestic Engineer / Personal Trainer
Competition history: I actually started competing in 2007 in the OCB in figure, after almost two years I started getting frustrated and confused on what the OCB was looking for, I decided to try NPC Gran Prix 2009. With the same physique I came home with not just 1st place but the Overall trophy. I knew where I belonged. I had to take a brief break due to my husband being deployed and my son who was sick. I got back on stage at the 2010 NPC Elite Physiques in Pittsburgh, I place 1st in both Figure A and Masters, and I also won Overall in Figure and Masters. So now my Nationals journey begins! I did Nationals 2010 and got my ass handed to me. This was a great learning experience! I didn’t expect anything less than what I got, although I looked my best. Finally the rumor was verified that Women’s Physique would be a division! I knew this was for me! I hated heels! I decided to do 2011 IFBB North Americans which I placed 12th and there was no turning back to figure. I was hooked on WPD! In 2012 I did VA MAX Muscle 1st , Jr USAs 13th, Jr Nationals 6th and Nationals 12th. After doing 4 shows in 2012 my body was completely spent! I knew I wasn’t going to step on stage anytime soon. A friend of mine, IFBB Pro Rachel Baker and I talked about trainers etc. She introduced me to Sarah Long, we worked together to get my physique where it needed to be to do Nationals 2013. We both knew I had to bring my best package! I feel I did just that; I placed 2nd at NPC Nationals and I earned my IFBB Pro card
Next competition:
Greater Gulf Pro June 21-22 and Chicago Pro July 4-5
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
They both are very important in obtaining a goal. I know for me if I get unmotivated during “off season” I tend to hibernate , I won’t go to the gym and I slip off my diet! That affects my prep! It can be a vicious cycle! Being raised to be humble, confidence can be hard for me. I feel if I’m confident I look like a cocky athlete! I know I shouldn’t care what people think, but hey I think we all do! You have to believe in yourself because if you don’t you won’t get where you need to be. Finally at Nationals 2013 I had that confidence and believed I belonged with that first call-out! The whole time I prepped; Sarah and my husband, Hugh helped keep my confidence alive. And they are still doing it now
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and n
atural ability is needed to reach the top?
Hard work is 100% of it. I believe if someone has that natural ability, laziness will come at some point in time. I will give you an example of me lol I had a natural high metabolism, so I would stuff my face until 8 weeks out and do very little cardio! (Twice a week) Well now my ass has to do 16 weeks and start with 55 am and 55 pm cardio! Never take advantage of you natural ability because it will bite you in the ass!!
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? My main motivation is my sister who passed. I was this itty bitty thing on stage, did prep myself etc so you all can imagine how I looked, she always called me Ms Olympia! And at the time I just smiled and said Thank you. But now I want to step on the Olympia stage for her and me of course lol I also love to watch beginners make their journey to stage, this keeps me in line because they look up to me!
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? My mom no matter how bad I looked or felt, she would tell me how beautiful I have become both inside and out. She never doubted my ability to do anything I set out to do. I became a Mom of 4, with her encouragement I believe I achieved one of the best titles, a MOM! Using my self confidence to start my journey on stage and not giving up until I reached my first goal; IFBB Pro
What do you find the most challenging about competing? CARDIO!!!! Like I said before I never had to do much cardio! But since I screwed up and ate like a pig and didn’t do cardio! Now it’s a huge challenge! But I am a good girl and do cardio 5-6 days!! Diet is a piece of cake to me!
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
Focus, Patience, Being realistic, reminding myself what my goal is and remove all negative people/things from my life.
What is your favo
rite protein powder? Why do you like it?
I like Dymatize Elite Gourmet Vanilla!!! Because it taste like ice cream lol
Favorite Inspirational Quote: I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions –Stephen Covey
In closing, who would you like to give a shout out to? My husband, Hugh Clark; my children who put up with all my shit and support me through it all! Rock Baytops, my coach who helped me with my journey to WPD and helped me win 3 Figure titles. Sarah Long, I could not have done this year and Nationals without her and Team Long! Living the Life of a Big Dawg is what I’m going to continue to do!!! The list could go on and on! I have such a great support chain of family, friends and coaches!!
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