Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Figure Competitor: Andrea Streisfeld
Category you compete in: Figure
Date of birth: 10/13/75
Hometown: Suffern, New York (Rockland County)
Career: Marketing
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? Wonder Woman of course because she fought for justice, love, peace, had her amazing magic tiara and for the Lasso of Truth for when criminals were trapped by it, they had to tell the truth and had no other choice.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport? At the age of 18 upon graduating high school, I got a job at a local gym at the front desk. I was overweight, out of shape and was ready to make a change for my health and my body. My co-workers showed me the ins and outs of fitness and that it was ok for women to weight train without gaining muscle like a man. I loved it! I changed my diet and trained really hard and lost 35 lbs. Weight training has changed my body, helped me recover from injuries and I gained more confidence. Over the years I continued to challenge myself from 5k’s, 10k’s and a half marathon. I competed for the first time in 2006 in a local competition and didn’t do well. I wanted to get back out there for years since and finally decided this was the year to do it.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto? I eat carbs included in 4 out of the 6 meals I eat/day….my food is clean, low fat and high in lean proteins and veggies.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? As of most recently, the biggest misconception I’ve been hearing lately is that competing is going to increase my testosterone. Are you kidding me? In addition that it’s going to affect my ability to have a child since I’m getting older. Lastly, I’ve been told the more I compete the more manly I’m going to look, not the case. Lots of friends and family also think I’m starving myself.
What is your most embarrassing childhood memory? There are several, ha ha. At the age of 13 I had a sleepover party with some girlfriends at my house. We were playing pranks on people in the area, sending 10 pizza’s, cars, etc. My girlfriend was fighting w/her boyfriend at the time so we decided to prank him and send a limousine to his house. I made the call and gave my phone number to confirm the service. They called us and we got caught in that we were pranking someone and were charged the fee for the car being sent. Years later, my mother started dating this man and the small world that it is, he owned a limousine company and it was his company we pranked as little girls years prior.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep? If you want it bad enough you’ll do whatever it takes to get there. I’ve had several situations during this past contest prep that I could’ve given up but didn’t. I wanted to get on that stage more than anything and NOTHING was going to stand in my way.
Who do you look up and admire and why? I look up to any woman athlete who dedicates and commits herself to what she wants. Specifically, Jen Hendershott, Erin Stern and Aleisha Hart, they are beautiful, healthy and focus on the positive.
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n history:
2013 NPC Battle at the River
Next competition: TBD
Favorite Motivational Quote:
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. -Lou Holtz
I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than a success at something I hate. -George Burns
Who would you like to thank?
Friends and family for their support and encouragement. My coach Steve Payne from House of Payne Personal Training in Lilburn, GA who helped me transform my body and mind into something I never thought ever existed.
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