Spotlight On NPC Figure Competitor: Amber Jacobs

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Published on Monday, 15 July 2013 15:26

Written by Amber Jacobs

Spotlight On NPC Figure Competitor: Amber Jacobs

Category you compete in: Figure

Date of birth: March 12, 1986

Hometown: Port Orchard, WA 

Career: Independent Graphic Designer

Competition history: 

2013 Empire Classic | Figure Class B | 2nd

2013 Emerald Cup | Figure Class C | 1st

2012 USA’s | National debut | Physique Class B

2012 LA Championships | Physique Class B | 2nd

2012 Empire Classic | Physique | 1st & overall | Figure | 2nd

2012 Emerald Cup | Physique Class B | 4th

2011 Northwest Championships | Light-weight bodybuilding | 2nd

2011 Emerald Cup | Figure Class C | 3rd 

2011 Vancouver Natural | Figure Class B | 4th

2010 Empire Classic | Figure Class C | 1st

2010 Emerald Cup | Figure Class C | 7th

Next competition: 2013 USA Championships | Figure

What do you feel is the WORST part of contest prep? 

I feel the worst part of contest prep is when my coach/nutritionist Pete Grubbs with Construction Zone Fitness out of Issaquah, WA. pulls my cheat meals. It’s the one meal of the week I look forward to. A cheat meal is when I can eat whatever I want in that sitting. My favorite go to cheat meal is a juicy mushroom swiss burger, fries, and a chocolate peanut butter milkshake. 

Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule?

My workout schedule changes throughout my prep. Right now at 4 weeks out from the USA Championships in Vegas, I am doing cardio twice daily, and lifting 4 days on with 1 day off. I am hitting legs and shoulders twice a week and back, chest and abs once a week.

If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which one would you prefer to lose and why? 

I would rather have touch, sight, smell and taste over hearing. As much as I love listening to the birds outside my window, the ocean waves crashing against the shore, or the words of love and encouragement… I could live without them. I could not handle not feeling the touch of my boyfriend, the unreal sights of the world, or the flavor and smells of all the amazing foods one could have! 

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

I would like more consistency from show to show on what the judges want to see. Because the sport is subjective, it can be hard to bring the winning look to the stage, whether you are too hard or soft, or come in with too much muscle or not enough. Everyone, including judges, have certain physiques they prefer, which can make it tough when you bring what you consider to be a great look but the judges prefer and reward a different look.

If you had a time capsule what would you put inside it and why?

I think I would put in some of my favorite accessories such as earrings, rings or shoes. Also, a CD of what kind of music I listen to. I would put in a newspaper, a fitness magazine, some pictures, video clips and a letter explaining what I was doing and where I was in my life.

What is your favorite vacation spot?

My favorite is a hard toss up between La Fortuna, Costa Rica and Barcelona, Spain. In La Fortuna we went zip-lining, horseback riding and swimming in the most gorgeous waterfalls and pools I have ever seen. In Barcelona I had the opportunity to see some of the most amazing architecture by Eusebi Güell, including works such as Casa de Gaudi, Sagrada familia and Park Güell. I also got to see the Picasso Museum! But for my next vacation I would like to see New Zealand or Thailand.

What advice do you have for women who would like to get involved in and compete in the sport of bodybuilding?

Any fitness goal is obtainable if you want it bad enough. You have to make it a priority. There are no excuses. You’ve got to start somewhere. Don’t get discouraged, we all were there at some point. Be patient.

I would advise them to hire a nutritionist over a personal trainer because this sport is all about what you put in your mouth. For your first show borrow a suit. Don’t invest in a suit until you know you love the sport. Play nice; this world is too small. Be humble, stay happy and show respect to fellow competitors. 

What is a day-in-the-life of Amber like?

Work days I wake up at 6am, stumble downstairs to my living room where I have a stair master that I do 45 minutes of cardio on while watching either the news or Netflix. I then eat, shower up, and drive into work at Microsoft. There I eat 3-4 meals (depending on where I am at in prep). After work I go to the gym where I lift and do a second round of 45 minutes of cardio. After the gym I eat and head home. There I have one last meal before bed. Two days per week I do food prep and once a week I meet with my coach for training and a posing practice.

Favorite Motivational Quote: 

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. –Vince Lombardi

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

I would like to shout out to my father, Jim Jacobs. He had four daughters and raised us on his own on a farm in Port Orchard. He was there for us for everything; every parent teacher conference, talent show and sporting event. He worked so hard to give us everything we needed. He instilled family values and morals, pushing us to work hard for things in life we wanted and taught us that anything is possible. You can’t quit… you have to keep going.

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