In 2006, if there was an ESPN ESPY award for best amateur female bodybuilder Claire would definately be in the running. To borrow a term from hockey, the Maryland native, pulled a hat trick winning the overall at both the 2006 California State and Contra Costa shows then topped it off with a first place finish in her very competitive lightweight class at the NPC USA Championships. O'Connell runs a personal training studio with her husband Shawn in the San Francisco Bay area and they have two daughters.The Questions...
1. When and how did you become interested in bodybuilding?
CO) I started lifting weights when I was 14 years old then a few months or so later went to my first bodybuilding show and was hooked. I saw the female bodybuilders and knew that is what I want to do, I want to be a female bodybuilder. My goal was to turn pro. So at age 15 1/2 I started competing. I competed in many shows up to the age of 21 years olds. My biggest accomplishment when I was younger was winning the lightweigh class at both the Teen Nationals and the Teen USA. Then Life took a different turn for about 15 years and in 2004 I came back to the world of competitive bodybuilding. Where I am now working once again towards that pro card.
2. What would you be doing if it wasn't for bodybuilding?
CO) I tried doing other things other then bodybuilding for 15 years, bodybuilding is where I fit, along with being a part time bookkeeper, personal trainer and full time mom to two wonderful girls.
3. Name one public perception you would like to change concerning women's bb and why?
CO) Public perception is always going to be that female bodybuilding is odd, it was the same when I was a teenager and 20 odd years later it hasn't changed. I really think those of us who really love female bodybuilding didn't get into so we could change how the public looks at us. We do it because this is where we feel we belong and I think most of us like to be different.
4. Past or present, if bb was a team sport who would be one person that you would definately want on your team and why?
CO) Bodybuilding is kind of a team sport, you have your trainers and your posing coach and you family, your webmaster your friends who have to be there with you through thick and thin. I have the most wonderful team already, my two daughters, Katelynn and Lexie, my husband Shawn, my trainers Betty and Ed Pariso, my posing guy Santi, My webmaster Lad Rapiz, and a whole lot of friends, Kate, Debbie, Michelle, Billy, Larry, Scott, Ian, Wayne, Geri, Steve, Mike, Bill, John and so on and so on.
5. What are your plans for 2007? CO) My plans for the 2007 are the Nationals in Dallas Texas, November 2007.
All pics were published with Claire's permission and can be viewed with many others on her website www.clairerohrbackeroconnell.com
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