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ry you compete in: Women's physique
Date of birth: 12/8/76
Hometown: Temecula, CA
Career: Personal Trainer/Krav Maga Instructor/ Business Owner
Competition history:
Dec 2012- Excalibur- 3rd Place
May 2013-Southern Cal. Championship- 2nd Place
July 2013- USA's- 6th Place
July 2014-USA's- 5th Place
Aug 2014- North Amer. Championships- 2nd Place (open) 1st Place (35+)
Next competition:
I've been kicking around the idea of making my Pro debut at the Titans Grand Prix in October, but nothing is set in stone yet
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
I think motivation and confidence are the foundation for success. You've got to push yourself beyond what you ever thought was possible and trust that you can handle the pressure. No one has ever stumbled and fell into a pile of greatness. They've fought and pushed, clawed and crawled towards their goal. No one can do the work for you. I wake up every morning and know that all the sweat, the aches, and the sacrifice put me closer to my goals.
In your eyes, wha.jpg)
t combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top?
Natural ability is a great launch pad and I'm grateful for the genetic gifts that I do have, but in the end hard work trumps all. It's funny we've all heard someone say, “yeah but so-and-so has great genetics.” Which even if true minimizes that that athlete, that competitor carried those “great genetics” to the gym and trained religiously, day after day to sculpt their physique, hone their skills and become something greater today than they were yesterday.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you?
I use my (almost unhealthy) competitive nature as my main motivator. I am the youngest of my family with LOTS of brothers. You quickly learn to be faster, stronger, and smarter or you learned to like getting left behind. My family is also another major motivator for me. With three daughters I have to be a positive role model to show them that women can be strong and smart, not just beautiful. I also use the amazing Women's Physique competitors who have pioneered this category. Women like Tycie Coppett, Julianna Malacarne, Sara Hurrle, and Dana Linn Bailey. I spent countless hours watching videos and looking at pictures working to obtain a physique half as good as theirs. And of course music! I make a playlist for everything. There's a gym playlist, a cardio playlist. Going to check the mail? Oh yeah I’ve got a playlist for that too.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve?
For me, like most people public speaking is a nightmarish, palm sweat inducing, stomach turning prospect. So when I was asked to speak at the high schools about nutrition, exercise, and competing, my first instinct was to run screaming like Freddy Kruger himself was chasing me. But I fought against my fear and pushed through. In the end I’m so glad that I didn't let the fear beat me because it was an amazing experience. Juggling torches while wearing a gasoline soaked bikini w
ould have been slightly less stressful than facing a room full of teenagers. Yet the more I spoke the more they became interested. By the end of the lecture we were all flexing together, doing group push-ups, and having a good time. You never know who you may impact with your words or actions. Not only did I get to face my fear head on but I’ve been asked back to speak and each time it's been great.
What do you find the most challenging about competing?
I’d be lying if I didn't say that the time spent at a calorie deficit being exhausted from hours of cardio and the overall mood swings weren't hard to get through. But for me the hardest part was not being able to do “normal things” with my family during prep. It's those little things that I miss the most. Going to the movies, laughing over an ice-cream or milkshake, or baking together while talking about our day.
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it?
You know because of my prep I haven't had powdered proteins in about six months. So I guess I’m in the market for something new. I am open to any suggestions anyone might have.
Favorite inspirational quote:.jpg)
“I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass, and I’m all out of bubblegum.-Rowdy Roddy Piper
In closing, who would you like to give a shout out to?
Out of all the people who have helped and motivated me the one true stand out is my husband/coach Mike Ferguson. He deserves a chest full of medals and a ticker tape parade for putting up with my shenanigans. He has been my better half for years and I could never have done any of this without him.
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