Spotlight On NPC Figure Competitor: Cecile Lind

Details

Published on Tuesday, 25 February 2014 12:37

Written by SallyAnne

Category you compete: Figure

Date of birth: December 5^th - 1988

Country: Denmark

Hometown:  Copenhagen (Grew up in California, Cupertino)

Career: I worked for Microsoft for 6 years, but I am now working as an Account Manager for Nutramino. 

Competition history: 2^nd place at the Danish Nationals 2012, 2^nd place at the Nordic Championships.

Could you please tell us about how you got into weight training? 

I have always been a serious sports athlete. I played tennis on a very high level since I was a kid. When I got into a university, I no longer felt, that I had the time or motivation to keep competing. I have always been teased and mocked with my muscular legs, and I have always wanted to work to make them smaller, without having the knowledge to succeed in doing so. I fought for hours at the gym on all the cardio machines and ate as few calories as possible, and that certainly did not bring me the results I wanted.

I have always been into hardcore sports, and I was curious about weight training, and the technique, knowledge and science behind it. I have always been a perfectionist, so I hired a personal trainer, who could teach me the correct techniques. Originally, it was my complex about my legs, which brought me to look into weight training. Shortly after I discovered how much these new training methods were going to transform my body in the long run.

If you could change one thing about this sport what would it be?

I am a true ‘sports girl’, and I just love to train hard. In Scandinavia, unfortunately, many people joins sports for many wrong reasons, one of them being “trying to prove” something to everyone else. They do the competitions to achieve some sort of human recognition.  Many people want to be seen, want to be number one, and to have that gold medal around their neck. I think it is very good to be competitive, and we all have our own way of motivating ourselves. I just think it is extremely important to remember, that the only one we compete against is ourselves. It is our own journey, and we should enjoy it all the way. We need to have fun with it, and even though it is an egotistic sport, we should remember to acknowledge each other and all the hard work, sweat tears, discipline, dedication, and pain behind every physique. We all have our battles to fight and obstacles to overcome.

So if I would change anything (at least here in Scandinavia) we should be more of a sports ‘mind’ and ‘spirit’, and not just focus on a gold medal. Lastly, we need to be even better at acknowledging each other’s hard work.

Do you have any ideal physiques which you look up to?
I love Larissa Reis’ legs. In general, I love many of the Brazilian girls legs, muscular but feminine and sexy. But I don’t really have one specific physique I look up to. I just concentrate on my own development, and try to work as hard as possible on my physique.

Do you have any advice to men and women who want to get in shape but they are  fearful to buy a membership at a gym. This might be their first experience weight training:

It is a lifetime investment, and it is never too late to start changing your lifestyle. It is very important not to think of the gym and training as a punishment, but rather as a reward for your body. It all starts in the mind. We all have our fears, and it can be quite intimidating walking into the gym not knowing what to do. I would definitely recommend hiring a personal trainer, to make sure you have all the techniques right and to have a person to motivate you and to teach you to push yourself beyond your limits. Alternatively, join some of the fun gym classes. The most important thing is to do something that is fun. That will keep you going. When it gets tough, remember why you started.  

What are your favorite cheat snack / meals?

Sushi!!! Protein bars and my own protein delights

How did you come to the decision to enter your first competition?

When I started weight lifting the last thing I thought of was competing. But I lost my mom brutally a couple of years ago. It destroyed me inside. I tried to get through the days working and studying, but I had to have something new in my life. Something that would keep me going. Something that could help me get through the worst and most difficult time in my life. I decided to try out competing in figure, and I am so happy I made that decision. My workouts were my therapy, my meditation and my space where I could let all my sorrow, frustrations and anger out. When I stood on that stage for the first time, I felt so overwhelmed with all those feelings I have had to cope with, had to process, and all those hardships I have had to fight through. I felt she was with me on that stage that day. I chose to make my competition suit in her favorite color and to wear her jewelry. It was such a precious moment I will have with me for the rest of my life.

If you could switch your life with a famous person for one day – who would it be - and why?

It would probably be Barack Obama. I would love to see how it is to be in his shoes for one day. He is such an inspiration and so charismatic - an amazing leader. He is a believer. His life must be full of so many experiences, and so much pressure.

What helps you go through a hard training session when your motivation is low?

It is actually never low  but if it is lower than usual, then I just keep reminding myself of why I am doing it, and that I love it. Make sure to always bring your own music with you. It can always ‘pep up’ a workout

Are you planning to compete this year?
Yes. I will be competing in Figure at the  Arnold Amateur in Ohio.  I have planned to do the Loaded Cup as well, maybe the Oslo Grand Prix. The rest is still unknown.  It depends on what happens.

In closing, who would you like to give a shout out to? 

I would like to give a shout out to my amazing sponsor Nutramino and Dcore. They always believe in me and give me the support possible to compete. I also want to thank my incredible coach Kristina Dybdahl.

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