Spotlight On NPC Womens Physique Competitor: Karma Schopp

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Published on Wednesday, 17 July 2013 18:23

Written by Karma Schopp

Spotlight On NPC Womens Physique Competitor: Karma Schopp

Category you compete in: NPC Women’s Physique Division

Date of birth: July 8, 1975

Hometown: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada

Career: Social Media Manager, Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach, Writer, Athlete

1. If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? That’s a great question and kind of tough to answer!  I guess I would be SuperGirl. I love the idea of being able to use superpowers to help people and take on the world to do good. Plus, I’m sure the costume would be pretty awesome, too!

2. What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport? I have always been an athlete.  When I was a teenager, I was a national level olympic style weightlifter. So, being in the gym has always been a part of what I do.  It wasn’t until I hit 30 years old that I decided to compete in Figure (later switching to Women’s Physique) 

Since I’ve started competing, I’ve got so used to the nutrition end of things that my body does not like it when I deviate too much from clean eating.  It’s an aspect of the lifestyle that definitely helps to keep things in check.

3. What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto? I take whatever approach my trainer IFBB Pro Lionel “LTrain” Brown - tells me to take!  It seems that my body responds best to less starchy carbs and using fats as my energy source.

4. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? I think that would be a toss up between a few different things. One is that when you compete, you eat “special” food.  To me, there’s nothing special about it. Whatever I eat to prep for a show, is the same stuff that anyone else can buy in a grocery store.  

Another big misconception is that competitors starve themselves to drop weight.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  If you have a qualified, experienced coach, you’ll find yourself eating throughout the day – constantly fueling your body.

And the other misconception that I come across is that when a competitor gets ready to step on stage, you do nothing but endless hours of cardio and very little weight training.  Again – this is not true!

Everything has to work together in order for you to create a winning physique – cardio, weight training, nutrition and of course, sleep!

5. What is your most embarrassing childhood memory? Any kid will recall some funny and embarrassing moments throughout their childhood.  But, for me, one that stuck with me happened when I was in grade 7.  The class had a substitute teacher one day.  The sub asked the class a question and I put my hand up to answer.  The teacher then says, “Yes…the boy in the back.” I was mortified and the whole class was laughing at me.  Even though, I had short hair at the time and was rather tomboy-ish, I didn’t think I looked like a boy.  Apparently, the teacher did.  And some of the kids in the class teased me about the incident for a while after it had happened.

6. What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep? With each show season and each competition, I learn something.  But the biggest lesson that carries throughout every show is that if I really want it and my heart is in it, I can accomplish whatever it is I set out to achieve. I know it takes hard work, dedication and sacrifice. However, that’s a small price to pay for doing what it takes to realize a dream.

7. Who do you look up and admire and why? I am inspired by people in my life that I know on a personal level.  My trainer Lionel Brown (L-Train) is a great source of knowledge, experience and motivation.  His own accomplishments and strong work ethic have shown me that anything is possible if you’re willing to work for it.  I’m also very much inspired by my family and close friends.  Each person enriches a part of my life by giving something of themselves.

 8. Competition history:

2005 Alberta Bodybuilding Association (ABBA) Muscle Beach Fall Classic, Edmonton, AB, Canada

- 8th place Middleweight Bodybuilding

2006 ABBA Provincials – Edmonton, AB – Figure Division

- 2nd place Tier 1 Tall Class

2006 David Ford Fitness Model Search, West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, AB

- Fitness Model Contestant

2007 ABBA Provincials – Edmonton, AB – Figure Division

- 3rd place Tier 2 Tall Class

2007 Canadian Bodybuilding Federation (CBBF) National Figure Championships, Edmonton, AB

- 10th place Tall Class

2008 FAME Prairies Classic – Calgary, AB, Canada – Advanced Fitness Model Division

- 4th place

2009 World Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (WBFF) – Alberta Championships – Calgary, AB

- 1st place Figure Tall Class and Overall Figure Winner (earning Professional Athlete Status)

2009 WBFF World Championships – Toronto, Ontario, Canada – Professional Figure Athlete Division

- 6th place

2011 Fitness America California Championships – Oceanside, CA

- 1st place Figure Tall Open Class

- 1st place Figure Classic Class (Over 35)

2011 Fitness America Figure World Championships – Las Vegas, NV

- 12th place Figure Classic division

2012 National Physique Committee (NPC) MuscleContest.com Championships – Culver City, CA

- 1st place Figure Tall Open Class

- 1st place Masters Figure Class (Over 35)

2012 NPC Orange County Muscle Class – Culver City, CA

- 1st place Women’s Physique Division Over 5ft6 division

- Overall Women’s Physique Division Champion

9. Next competition: California NPC Excalibur Championships – December 14th, 2013

10. Favorite Motivational Quote: “I want to remember that no one is going to make my dream come true for me.  It is my job to get up everyday and work towards the things that are deepest in my heart and to enjoy every step of the journey rather than wishing I was already where I want to end up.” -Author Unknown

11. Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank anyone and everyone who supports me, puts up with me and allows me to pursue my passion.  Even though, I may be the person standing up there on stage, it takes many people and a strong system of friends & family to get me there.  I wouldn’t want to do it unless I was able to share it with those who are closest to me.

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