Q&A with Teri Mangini

Teri, 24, is a student and a member of the Army Reserves. She resides in her hometown of Newark, Delaware, and is trained by bodybuilding Pro Jack 'Rhino' London.


The Questions:

1) What was your athletic background like and what got you hooked on training?

I played volleyball and softball from high school through college and recieved full scholarships for both at seperate colleges. My father started taking me into the gym at the age of 13 to help with strength for my high school sports. I went off and on throughout the seasons but didn't fully commit to bodybuilding until the winter of 06.

2) What has been the best compliment given to you by a random member of the public in regards to your appearance?

I get alot of comments about my dedication and perserverance to continue on in the sport but I can't think of anything noteworthy from anyone in particular.

3) What tip(s) would you give to women who aspire to get to the level of fitness that you are at today?

Don't let anyone talk you down or out of your goals. Negative people have more of an effect on you than you think.

4) If you could have a sit down dinner with anyone in the bodybuilding/fitness industry, past or present, who would you chose and why would you chose this person?

I'm going to have to go with someone I know...fellow competitor, Justine Doehring. She is the most down to earth and real person I know in this sport. We met backstage at the 06 DE East Coast Classic and she really made a bad experience, tollerable. Trained by Elena Sieple, I'm betting Justine will be turning some heads at the Jr. Nats this upcoming year.

5) Please tell us a little bit about your future plans in the sport?

Well, I am getting ready to do a 30 day tour in Japan the end of January. Once I come back, things will certainly will be getting hot & heavy for precontest training. I have not quite set in stone a specific show date yet for this year, but since I've got Jack "The Rhino" training me, I'm sure I'll be making some noise where ever I decide to step on stage.

6) Knowing that you are in school on a NASA sponsored scholarship studying to become an Electrical Engineer who do you think would have a better chance to win on Jeopardy, Cal Tech's fellow female bodybuilder Kristy Hawkins or yourself?

Hands down, Kristy. If we aren't talking math or algorithms, I am a dunce. LOL. But she would certainly be an interesting person to share lab experiences with.

Q&A with Tracey Toth

Tracey, 35, is a bar manager for Malarkey's Irisih Pub and has been competing in the State of Michigan since her first show in 2002.


1. What is your athletic background like and what got you hooked on training?

TT) I come from an athletic family. I ran track in middle and high school, I was a cheerleader and did gymnastics. Bodybuilding was something I thought about since then. My friend Rick Thom was a bodybuilder and head of security at my high school. He encouraged me to do it and said I had good genetics. I started dabbling with a weightraining class, but had my son and had to let it go for many yrs. Once my son started school, I joined a gym and started back. Muscle always came really easily. In 1999, I tried the Body for Life program. My body was changing and I stayed on that program for a yr and a half. My Mom was diagnosed with cancer in Jan 2002. She made sure my Dad was up every morning to take over her care so that I could go to the gym. After she died in April, I decided to do my first show in her honor.

2. What has been the best or worst experience with a random member of the public, based on your appearance?

TT) Most of my experiences are positive. I think the worst parts are the stereotypes people put on ALL bodybuilders. When a woman has a lot of muscle it is assumed she just sticks a needle in her ass and "tada" she has muscles. But I can say for certain that I have alot of support from family, friends, co-workers...even my boss!

3. What tip(s) would you give to women who aspire to get to the point where you are today?

TT) Never give up your dream. Its hard work in the gym, good eating and perserverance. In the powerlifting gym I workout in (Detroit Barbell) they have a saying...."Believe to Achieve"....and that sums it all up really.......just "believe" and dont let anyone tell you otherwise

4. If you could have a sit down dinner with anyone within the bodybuilding industry, past or present, who would it be and why would you chose this person?

TT) That is easy....Elena Sieple....she is my idol for the sport. She is an exemplary competitor. She is the totol pkg. She has muscle, beauty and has stepped outside the bodybuilding box and moved into powerlifting and Strongwoman competition. I would love to have dinner and talk to her about how she manages to balance it all out.

5. Tell us a about your future plans in the sport?

TT) Currently I am training for my first powerlifting Meet. After that I will take a much needed break and get ready for competition 2007. I will be doing Junior USA's in April and then plan to do Junior Nationals 5 weeks later. Depending on how I do there will determine if I compete anymore next year.

Q&A with Nicole Bell

Nicole, who is 29 years of age, hails from a small Texas town called Kildaire Junction but now lives in Nashville, Arkansas where she runs a gym with her husband Bron called Bell's Gym. She has two pet Great Danes and a daughter named Bray. After growing up playing every sport she could she turned to the gym and started training when she was around 21 years old and has her sights on competing in her first bodybuilding show, The Cajun Bodybuilding Classic in Shreveport, Louisiana, next June.


1) What was your athletic background like and what got you hooked on training?

NB) I grew up participating in basketball, softball, track, and cheerleading. Working as a Physical Therapy and Aquatic Therapy Technician got me interested in muscles and how they work plus meeting my husband who already had a love for the sport of bodybuilding is what drew me to the gym for good.

2) What has been your best or worse experience with a random member of the public in regards to your appearance?

NB) The best has been people's positive reaction and encouraging feedback.

3) What tip(s) would you give to women who aspire to get to the level of fitness that you are at today?

NB) Just train hard find a program that works best for you and be consistant with it. Like I have always said...eat, sleep, and grow.

4) If you could have a sit down dinner with anyone in the bodybuilding/fitness industry, past or present, who would you chose and why would you chose this person?

NB) 2006 Nationals Middleweight class winner Lisa Bickels because to me she represents all that female bodybuilding is about and what it should be about.

5) Please tell us a little bit about your future plans in the sport?

NB) I plan to make mark in the industry very soon starting next Summer by competing in my first show and I will continue to pay my dues everyday :)

6) Knowing that you attend shows such as the Europa Sports Show in Dallas, has anyone mistaken you for the newly crowned Canadian Nationals Women's Bodybuilding champion Nicole Ball?

NB) No, not yet, but if it ever does I will feel honored!

All pics were taken by Nicole's husband.