Going Pro is every a
mateur athlete's dream. For some it happens quickly, and for others it can take a lifetime. Some just never get there. Today's guest isn’t just a new IFBB Pro; she's veteran and a fighter – a woman that's driven to succeed. From fighting for America around the world to giving it her all in the gym, IFBB Figure Pro Charmain Lett is a go-getter. Now that she's earned Pro Status, she hopes to land a supplement deal, get on the Pro circuit, and help improve people's lives through fitness and clean eating.
Christian Duque: It's a great pleasure to welcome New IFBB Figure Pro Charmain Lett, fresh off her Class win at NPC Junior Nationals, where she earned her IFBB Pro Card. Charmain, please introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us a little about yourself.
Charmain Lett: Well, thank you very much for having me. I love RxMuscle.com and I'm happy to be here. Well, to answer your question, my full name is Charmain Lalethia Lett. I'm 35 years old and I'm from Pensacola, FL, but live in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. I train at Revolution Fit 24/7 and I'm a U.S. Army active duty officer. I've been in the Army for sixteen years and hold the rank of Captain (promotable). I've been deployed to Iraq twice.
Christian Duque: Talk to us about what inspired you to walk into the gym and get involved with weight-training? Was there a specific look you were looking to achieve?
Charmain Lett: I was a competitive athlete all throughout school, but joining the Army Active Duty in September 2001 I was forced into maintaining a fitness level to remain in the service. I did not start bodybuilding and competing until 2009. I had always looked up to the bodybuilding men and women, but didn't seriously think I could do it until my friend and first trainer encouraged me.
I started basic weight training in 2005 after completing Officer Candidate School because I wanted to lead by example for my soldiers to emulate. In 2006 I started to take my training more serious and focus more on weight training, working on my lower and upper body together.
My biggest inspiration was seeing Gina Aliotti at the 2008 Olympia. I tried to follow figure competitors with a similar background in genetics; she's bi-racial with fantastic muscular structure. As I began to dig deeper into researching past IFBB Pro winners, I was inspired even deeper into this fitness lifestyle.
Christian Duque: At what point in time did you decide you wanted to compete, and how much time and thought went into picking the federation and division?
Charmain Lett: It wasn't until 2009 when the real transformation and committing myself and time to the sport. This was when I had combined a proper training split with great nutrition and this was when I saw the most changes in my physique. It was a no brainer for me to compete in the Figure division. I love the overall muscle structure with the grace and beauty to match… makes me feel like a Greek goddess.
After only 90 days of traini
ng at 31 years old I entered my first Figure competition with the NPA (National Physique Association) in the local area, taking home 1st in Novice, 1st B class and Overall. Then 30 days later entering the OCB Pride of the Atlantic, taking home 1st Open and Overall.
I couldn't believe it. I love seeing the change in my body, doing the research online, and finding new exciting workouts to add to my regimen. I took a break from competition to focus my attention on my military career; I assumed Command of the Logistics Company in the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. After completing 20 months and 60+ Airborne Operations I was ready to get back to the stage.
In April 2013 I finally competed in the NPC NQ show Panhandle Showdown in my hometown Pensacola. There I placed 1st in my class. After taking a 2-year break I felt great.
Christian Duque: I think a lot of would-be competitors want to know what it's like to compete on the NPC circuit. Many are intimidated by getting on stage, under the lights, with everyone in the audience looking at them. What's the vibe like and would you recommend competition to others?
Charmain Lett: I love competing in the NPC there are some of the most amazing bodies I've ever seen and it can be intimidating if you're not already confident in yourself and your capabilities. The vibe of being backstage at a show with so many wonderful and beautiful people takes all the nerves away in my opinion. You're a superstar for that moment. And how many people will ever get a chance to shine on stage showing off their hard work? The vibe is intoxicating and contagious; you just have to put your fears away and do what you came to do and shine!
Christian Duque: Let's fast-forward to your Junior Nationals prep – how did this one differ from other contest preps? Did you work with anyone?
Charmain Lett: This contest prep was easier for me this year because I understood my body more this time around, more than I ever had before. Through proper nutrition and guidance from my prep coach, Jamie Ibone, I was able to dial my body down a few weeks out from the show.
For this show I focused more on actually lifting heavy to put more girth in my back and quads. From February to April my training was all out heavy as possible, with my training from my home gym – Marcellus Campbell. His unique style of training included tons of sprints, sled push pulls, HIIT and plyometrics.
This training worked for my body, which helped me burn body fat very quickly sending my metabolism into overdrive all while maintain my muscle mass. I wanted to bring more than a figure package to the stage I was working on bringing that full complete package of a nice taper figure body with a hint of athleticism.
Christian Duque: Piggy-backing off the last question, how does your training, diet, and supplementation change from the off-season to your contest preparation period?
Charmain Lett: Because my training and dieting is a way of life, to me it is like waking up and brushing your teeth. I'm a firm believer in balance and I practice a balanced lifestyle that enables me to live a healthy life while working, having fun traveling, being around close friends and family.
With that bein
g said, my off season diet is about the same as my contest prep. I just adjust my macros and calorie intake according to my off season heavy lifting. During contest prep utilizing carb cycling 6 weeks out has proven to be beneficial to my body. Of course I'm always drinking my 1-2 gallons of water daily minus a day or two, sometimes on the weekend I just can't get it all in. Maybe I should wake up earlier lol.
My go-to supplements are always the same, Champion Performance Sustain Released Protein, BCAA, Glutamine, CLA, Omega 3, L-Carnitine, Creatine (off-season), Multi Vitamin Metabolic Nutrition Fat Burner Syndrex or B4.
Christian Duque: What was your mindset like as you arrived in Chicago and got ready to hit the stage? Were you concerned about doing a 2-day show or were you determined to get the job done, no matter what?
Charmain Lett: At first I was excited like a kid at Christmas, going through my quarter turns in my room, sending updates to my prep coach Jamie Ibone, then at check-in it all became very REAL. My mind was set to auto-pilot at that point. I've done all the training I could do, all the cardio was complete, and there was no reason to doubt myself, my physique or my ability to rock the stage with the best package I've ever had in my entire life.
I had a laser-like focus, but all I wanted to do was to have fun, enjoy the moment, and make everyone who supported me throughout my career proud of me. I really didn't have any concern about the 2-day show. I just figured it would give me more time to check out my favorite vendors and meet new people after the completion of pre-judging.
I think my diet was so on-point for this prep that it had no effect on me going two days completely depleted and dry. However, yes, I was determined to get it done no matter what. I was so focused I didn't have time to think about how thirsty I was or how much I just wanted to chug a whole gallon of muscle eggs every time I passed their booth. I was a woman on a mission!
Christian Duque: Huge kudos for earning your IFBB Pro Card! What does going Pro mean for you? Are you already thinking about your Pro debut or related projects?
Charmain Lett: Thank you so much. This was a huge accomplishment for me and I'm so thankful, humbled and grateful for this experience. I'm currently thinking about doing the Kentucky Pro November 8. That's 20 weeks away, so I have more time to prep and make minor adjustments to my figure and posing.
A future project that I'm working on that's near and dear to my heart is to offer a seminar at my home gym that focuses on health, nutrition, training, posing, how to get started for competitions, and just how to begin living a fit life… just for the regular fitness advocate who may struggle with the balance. This is my way of giving back to the fitness community and my local community. What's the purpose of having a gift if you don't give it away to everyone you meet.
Christian Duque: I'd like to thank you
very much for taking the time to speak with us. Please take this opportunity to thank all those that have helped you along the way. Also, please let your fans know where they can go to keep up to date with you (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc.).
Charmain Lett: Thank you so much for providing me with the opportunity to tell my story of fitness. I would like to thank first my prep coach, Jamie Ibone, Team Ironclad out of Orlando, Florida for his guidance and mentorship throughout my process. I would like to thank my friends and family for always supporting me and understanding my mission and my goals.
I have cancelled on so many of my friends’ important events, I’m surprised they still love me. They’re my biggest supporters and I'm truly blessed to have them in my life. To my home gym family – the beautiful men and women of Revolutions, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. They took me in February this year and made me feel like a part of the family. Thank you. And lastly but not least to my Army family past and present, especially my boss, LTC Conrad Schupay of the 158th Infantry Brigade, Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Thank you for supporting my passion and ambitions to compete by giving me the time needed to train.
Thank you again for this opportunity and please follow me on Instagram: @airbornelett and Facebook at Charmain Wendy Lett.
Stay fit, my friends!
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