Chit-chatting with the athletes...

Kimberly Agnew- from Missoula, MT, NGA Pro Bodybuilder and NPC Figure/BB competitor


Jodi Lane- From Seymour, IN, OCB Bodybuilder/Figure competitor


Laura McGee- from Fresno, CA, Fitness America and NPC Figure competitor


Tamara Paulsen- from, Huntington Bay, NY, NPC Bodybuilding competitor and Pro Inline Speed Skater


Kat Ramirez- from Bronx, NY, INBF and NPC Figure competitor

1. How many weeks does your pre-contest regiment usually last?

KA- My contest prep usually lasts about 12 weeks. I currently work with Kim Oddo and that is our time frame. If I am competing in shows back to back then it can last for months at a time...keeping in shape through the competitive season.
JL- I prefer to lean out very slowly so about 15+ weeks! Sometimes it depends on how much weight I gain in the off season, but typically its going to stay around 15 weeks!
LM- It depends, sometimes is ranges from 6-8 weeks before competition but three weeks before is when I really hit it hard.
TP- pre contest is usually 20-24 weeks.
KR- I USUALLY LIKE STARTING 15 WEEKS OUT IN ORDER TO ALLOW MY BODY TO GET USED TO THE STRICT REGIMEN

2. What would be the ultimate show to win the overall?

KA- For me the ultimate show to win is a dream fulfilled. In 2006 I won the NGA Pro Universe Bodybuilding Championships. That is the show that made me want to be a Pro Natural Bodybuilder. Winning it kind of closed the chapter on bodybuilding for me. I have since ventured into NPC figure and of course, like thousands of others would love to stand on the Olympia stage.
JL- Right now, The Arnold Classic Amateur 2009! If I can make the Top 5 at the NPC KY Muscle show in November, then I will be doing the Arnold Classic Amateur!!!
LM- Of Course The Olympia!!! Its my dream and I will try hard to get there
TP- Ultimate show...Arnold.
KR- I GUESS ANY NATIONAL LEVEL THAT WOULD QUALIFY ME FOR A PRO CARD, BUT ONE I'M SHOOTING FOR IS TEAM UNIVERSE

3. Name one gym pet peeve that you have?

KA- Leaving the weights on the equipment! UGH!!! As a trainer or just a gym rat.....HUGE pet peeve. Time is usually limited and I don't like cleaning up someones mess before I can start my workout with a client or myself! I clean up enough after my kids at home!! LOL!
JL- I don't have many, but one definitely is when people loiter on the equipment!!! Some people talk more than workout haha!
LM- Oh when guys lift wrong and or never work out their legs, like really come on now, they have an amazing upper body and then no legs its a little funny!!
TP- Pet peeve...when there is a million treadmills empty and you decide to RUN and sweat profusely on the one next to me so that it flies onto me! ew gross!
KR- OOH.. THAT'S EASY... WHEN PEOPLE SEE YOU USING A MACHINE, YOU TURN AROUND TO DRINK SOME WATER, YOU COME BACK AND THEY START USING AND HUGGING UP THE MACHINE AND YOU FIND YOUR TOWEL ON THE FLOOR.. UGGHH, MAKES ME WANNA.... LOL

4. What is your favorite inspirational quote?

KA- Not really a quote but I Love this perspective: Today, take all the "I can't" phrases in your life and change them to "I choose not to"...then see how you feel about it! Keeps you in check!
JL- "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast" It basically means, rushing through tasks will only yield messy results, and will cost you wasted time in the long run!
LM- Live everyday like it was our last
TP- Inspirational quote.."Be a Rhino"
KR- Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it.You are never a loser until you quit trying

5. Next show is...

KA- I am currently training for the NPC USA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships in Vegas. The show is July 25-26th. I will then go to New York for Team Universe in SEpt. From there, I have numerous client competitors I will travel to shows with. Fun Season!
JL- OCB Natural Indiana Sept 13th!
LM- Well I am trying to figure that out, but right now the next one will be in Nov. for FAP
TP- Not sure
KR- SEPTEMBER OR NOVEMBER

Chit-chatting with the athletes...

Andrea Swanson, NPC Figure from Illinois



Maria Warren, NPC Bodybuilding/Figure from Michigan



Annette Heagler, NPC Figure from Texas



Francesca Tomasini, NPC Figure from New Mexico

1. How old were you when you got serious about working out?

AS- I got into a serious weightlifting routine when i was 19. but before then, i was always fitess minded and concerned about looking and being fit.
MW- 32
AH- The tender young age of 43 (and I was fat)
FT- I must have been 24 when I decided I wanted to train for a show because my first show was in June 05.

2. What is your favorite place to shop for clothes?

AS- I like The Limited...classy but modern, subtle sexy and bit of trendy.
MW- Charlotte Russe, ebay
AH- No doubt about it, bebe and bebe sport
FT- Lately it's been Marshalls!!! I love a good deal!!!

3. One thing that is ALWAYS in your gym bag?

AS- IPOD!!!!!!
MW- wrist wraps
AH- Lifting straps & lip gloss (must have workout)
FT- Gum, I never ever leave home w/out it!!!

4. The last time you ate a Whopper? (been 6+yrs for me )

AS- WOW...I really do not know. Fast food has never been a weakness of mine, i think it is so disgusting. the few times i ate it, it was usually mcdonalds not burger king. so seriously...a whopper...i have no idea...maybe 15 years...who knows.
MW- no idea!
AH- I'm not much of a whopper fan, but I did have a Sonic cheese burger about 3 months ago and onion rings. For that brief 15 minutes, all was right in the world for me :).
FT- Gosh a Whopper.....I honestly can't say because Burger King never really did it for me.....if I think long and hard I might say maybe 2000.....?

5. Next show is....

AS- JR USAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
MW- June 2009. None this year due to an injury.
AH- I 'm training to do my FIRST show, hopefully March 2009, West Texas Show in Lubbock.
FT- My next show is going to be the Mid USA in NM tentitively Aug 9th (still waiting on the confirmation) and the Europa in Texas on Aug 16th. I did that show last year so I'm excited to bring a different physique to the table this time around!!!

Chit-chatting with the athletes...

Stacy Cox- NPC Figure/Bodybuilding competitor from South Carolina


Noel Clark- NPC Figure competitor from Georgia


Maryanne Glascock- NPC Bodybuilding competitor from Virginia


Lori Staats- NPC Figure from West Virginia

1. Name a training accessory you couldn't do without?

SC- my straps; cant do deadlifts without them
NC- my log book!
MG- I will have to go with my water bottle. I think it's so important for me to stay hydrated during my workouts. I am actually a connoisseur of water bottles! I have been through many, and I finally found my favorite. It's a klean kanteen.
LS- gotta have my i-pod

2. What is one word your trainer would use to describe you?

SC- refreshed....after an offseason that was not the best, i am now refreshed and getting back to the root of training hard
NC- Intense
MG-Focused
LS- Intense

3. Forget Obama and Hilary, its Cory Everson and Ronnie Coleman who would vote for to be President?

SC- Cory
NC- sticking with the girls...Cory!
MG- Both Cory and Ronnie are bodybuilding legends that I admire, but I think I'd have to do a write-in on that ballot!
LS- I would have to say Ronnie

4. Where do you go for bodybuilding related news?

SC- well scott, first, haha, usually md. com...if i dont hear it from my friends first
NC- FigureRX or bodybuilding weekly
MG- first and foremost www.siouxcountry.com
LS- Siouxcountry...where else!!!

5. What is your next show?

SC- you will be one of the first to know :)
NC- Jr USAs in Charleston. I have about 2 more weeks.
MG- I'll be competing in the North American this year! It's in Cleveland, OH, August 28th and 29th. I can't wait!
LS- Pittsburgh Championships this weekend