Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: IFBB Bikini Pro: Chaundra Bagwell
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: 10-31-79
Hometown: Nashville, TN ( currently live in Boston )
Career: RDA ( assistant for a root canal specialist )
Competition history:
1st Rhode Island 2010
2nd New England 2012
1st Jr USAs E Class 2013
1st Jr. Nats E Class 2013 ( Pro Card )
Next competition: 2013 Tampa Pro
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal? Typically when you create a personal goal its self obtained. So, motivation and confidence within is extremely important. I ask myself how bad do you want this? Are you hungry enough for it?!!! No one is going to achieve the goal for you so at the end of the day internal confidence and your own motives are the most powerful!
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? Lawd Jesus I just do it!!!!! Hahahahaha! I'm a very driven girl. No one has to tell me twice to do something! I'm on it! So I guess I'm naturally driven. I've worked since I was a 14 year old girl. So, raw hard work and discipline is the only way I know. At the end of the day I always want to be able to tell myself I gave 100 percent! That feeling gives me peace and is needed to reach the top in my opinion.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? Well for me I lost my mother at a very young age. She's my motivation every morning I wake without an alarm clock. Also, if I can change one girls life by setting an example of a healthy lifestyle thats a huge motivation for me! I love to see transformations!
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? Being a young girl without a mother kind of pushed me to be confident. I didnt have my rock, my foundation. So I created my own mentally through confidence. My grandmother used to walk with me and say Chaundra you can do and be anything you set your mind to. Never believe otherwise! Those words stuck with me and will forever! I was on my own in many ways. So I feel it has created a fire in me that refuses to burn out.
What do you find the most challenging about competing? Hmmmm losing your social life and family time. Sometimes, its a little lonely if you allow it to be. However, just like everything in life competing is a choice.
What are your top 5 key strategies for success? First and foremost you need a WHY! What wakes you every morning to achieve your goal!
Driving force-- On those day when Im depleted and tired it becomes all mental and I turn that into fuel
Passion!!! I love competing! I love the challenge of it! It makes me feel alive and strong! I love having an aim, a target a destination in life.
Commitment --- This is HUGE! When I commit to something there are no other options in my mind until I reach my goal and become successful at it.
Coachable---- U have to be coachable and willing to listen and take constructive criticism and learn and grow from it
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? ALLMAX ISOFLEX!!! Peanut Butter Chocolate
Yummmm! It tastes amazing and digests well!!! Its a dessert to my day :)
Favorite Inspirational Quote: Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment! “ OWN IT” - Oprah
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? I would like to thank my coach Fakhri Mubarak for always believing in me from day 1!!! Jose Raymond for being my rock and pushing me through those plateau moments. Also, ALLMAX for making my supplementation amazing each day through my prep!
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