NYCStrongFox
08-12-2008, 11:03 PM
Hope everyone is enjoying their “productive” summer, whether it’s prepping for a show, in full off-season mode, or just relaxing and staying active and healthy. We’ve stayed glued to the computer (well glued to Siouxcountry.com) for so many competitions and hoping that our favorite takes the overall. As we all know, each competitor is a true champion! :trophy:
The athlete I chose to be our 4th Competitor’s Showcase winner is a champion, even before getting on the competition stage. She is one who though is very busy (who isn't these days), seems to have a handle on BALANCING every aspect in her busy life which includes her children, husband, home, job, training, dieting and so much more.
She came out of retirement, after having had done her last bodybuilding show 11 years ago and competed in Figure in ’06, but returned to her true passion, Bodybuilding in ’08 at the wonderful age of 45! She was determined to get on that stage and present a phenomenal physique. Since I came on this board, she had been one of the first to welcome me and she’s given a ton of support and advice to other board members. What I truly admire is her focus on returning to bodybuilding after all those years and making the changes needed to compete with some other outstanding bodybuilders at the USA’s National in Las Vegas!
It’s my pleasure to announce to you our 4th official winner:
Competitor's Showcase
Winner: Tracy Bodner (aka IslandGirl)
Tracy Bodner Interviewed by Melody Chao.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TracePhotoShoot1.jpg
:aloha: Tracy! Tell us, how did you get started competing? Why did you decide to make the switch from figure to bodybuilding this year?
I started competing back in Hawaii. I use to be a runner participating in many marathons and half marathons. I enjoyed it very much. I had to hang up my running shoes due to a knee injury and shin splints. At this time, I joined a gym and started to weight train and loved the results I was getting. I immediately started to have people approach me in the gym asking me if I compete. I didn’t understand at the time what that really meant. Compete in what? lol I then met a guy who introduced me to bodybuilding. I attended a show and I found myself saying, “I want to do that.” :D I competed in 4 bodybuilding shows in Hawaii. I recently came out of retirement (lol) after 11 years and competed in my first Figure show in 2006, The Colorado State Championships.
The reason I made the switch from figure to bodybuilding this year was because I was told last year after I did the USA’s that if I wanted to continue competing in figure, I would have to stop lifting weights. Training hard, intense and heavy is who I am! I love it and cannot stop. I competed at the USA’s 2 weeks ago (bodybuilding of course) and I loved every minute of it. From prep to stage. It was awesome!
What kind of diet do you follow in your off-season? How about pre-contest? It all depends what my goals are at the time.
Off-season is a lot more relaxed. I eat clean most of the time, but if my family is going out to dinner I try not to fuss too much and enjoy the time with my family. I try to keep cheats to a minimum of 2-3 cheats a week. Our prime time to go out to eat is right after church on Sunday for lunch. I look forward to this a lot.
Pre-contest is strict. I typically carb cycle as this has worked wonderfully for me. I never cheat unless it is a “scheduled cheat”. I’m real anal about my prep. I measure all my foods regardless. Yeah, I’m anal. hahaha…
I usually eat 6-8 meals a day with 2-3 of those being TrueProtein shakes. My protein choices are: lean beef, chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp. Carb choices, I really love white rice, oatmeal and sweet potatoes. I recently found a love for peanut butter as my fat source. That could be trouble!!!
Give us an idea of what your pre-contest training looks like. I typically train 3-4x a week with weights. My last split was as followed:
*Shoulders/Traps/Triceps
*Back/Rear Delts
*Chest/Biceps
*Legs I alternate abs and calves.
Cardio starts off at 5 x a week and as I get closer to my contest it usually increases and I also get to double cardio days.
My off-season training I give credit to DC (DoggCrapp) training founded by Dante Trudel. Owner of TrueProtein.com It’s an amazing program and really tests your intensity levels. I LOVE it!
How many weeks out do you usually start your contest prep? What are you doing differently this time around as a bodybuilder? I’ve start anywhere from 12-16 weeks out.
I would say the only difference dieting as a bodybuilder this year was not having to hold back my prep because I was getting too lean. I just kept at it with my diet and cardio and practice posing a lot.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TracePhotoShoot2.jpg
If you weren't competing in bodybuilding or figure, what other sport do you think you'd be involved in? Were you involved in sports through high school or college? If so, what sports were you involved in? I think I would love to be involved in gymnastics. I’m always in awe of fitness competitors.
I played softball in high school and in college I was a runner.
What have you found to be the most fulfilling part of competing? The most fulfilling part of competing is the entire process from beginning to end. To watch my body transform and see where you can take your physique. It’s amazing to see what simple dieting-making smart choices and being active can do to your body.
Why do you compete? Why do I compete? Because I LOVE it! I love to set goals and accomplish them. I love the dedication and drive it takes to get to the stage. I love the challenge. I love everything about competing.
What supplements, if any, do you incorporate in your diet and why? Multi-vitamin, vit C, mag/cal/zinc, melatonin, fish oil, evening primrose, glucosamine/chon/msm, BCAA, L-glutamine, TrueProtein shakes. And caffeine tabs when needed.
If a newbie were to ask you for advice on getting started, what 5 things would you advise them on? • Knowledge yourself on basic training, dieting, supplements etc…Do your research. There is a lot of information available.
• You will not get results by just weight training in the gym alone. Diet and being active is a huge part of seeing results. They all go hand in hand. Make sure to be eating at least 5-6 meals a day. A balance of protein, carbs, fat and veggies. Planning is key.
• If you are wanting to compete, I highly recommend hiring someone to assist you in that direction. It helps to have that “eye”. Listen to just this one person (s) and execute your plan to the hilt. You don’t want to be standing on stage and have regrets that you didn’t follow your plan to a “T”.
• Write down your goals. Pick a show that you would like to compete in. Share these goals with your family and friends to get as much support as you can.
• Practice posing. For both Figure and Bodybuilding. This is very important. Stage presentation. You have to be able to show the judges what you have worked so hard for.
What are some of your other interests? What do you like to do when you are NOT competing or prepping for a competition? This is easy. I love spending my time with my kids. This year we got season passes to Elitch Gardens so after church on Sunday’s we go and ride roller coaster and hang out by the pool. I love watching my kids have fun! That is my joy!
I also love just hanging out with Cameron and spending quality time with him. I love how we laugh and enjoy each others company. He is my world and my everything!
We also enjoy working with our clients and helping each and everyone of them reach their fitness goals. Watching their progress and transformation is highly inspiring and motivating for us.
I love going out to eat, going to the movies, SHOPPING and watching the Food channel.
What would be your ultimate goal as a competitor? My ultimate goal as a competitor is just to keep improving my physique and conditioning each time I step on stage. To inspire other women that You Can Do This! And of course getting a Pro card would be icing on the cake.
That's awesome that you found an outlet in the gym after you decided not to run anymore. Unfortunate it was due to injuries. So, you did four bodybuilding shows and decided to retire. You made a comeback 11 years later. A lot had changed in those 11 years in the sport. What made you want to come back and compete? Yes, a lot has changed since I last competed 11 years ago.
What made me decide to get back into competition? At the time, I had probably been judging for the NPC for about 4 years. I started to get the competition itch and wondered to myself…”Can I still be competitive at age 43?” (May I add you look hot for 43! ;) ) How would I know if I didn’t try? With the support of my husband Cameron and my children, I decided to compete at the Colorado State Championships. I competed both in BB’ing and Figure.
It seems that you get a lot of support from your husband and children. How do your kids feel about you competing in bodybuilding? Are you kids active in sports? Is so, what are they interested in? How do you manage it all; training, dieting, home, kids, husband, work? Oh yes! My husband and kiddos are very supportive of me competing. I would not be able to do this without their support and encouragement. My kids LOVE it when I compete (or even guest pose). My son and daughter yell out stuff like “Go Mom” “You look great Mom” “Smile Mom” and even ….”Mom, if you don’t smile, you don’t get french fries.” lol My son yelled that out last year when I was on stage at the USA’s. I was craving french fries big time! And yes, I did get french fries after the show. :eat:
My daughter use to be in gymnastics and we are probably thinking of getting her back in again. She wants to do a fitness competition in the future. My son plays roller hockey and baseball. He really loves playing baseball. Right now he just started up his 2nd season in baseball. He loves to watch all sports….even wrestling.
How do I manage it all…..well, again, my husband Cameron. He truly is an awesome husband, father and my best friend. I would not be able to do all that I do without his help and support. We are a Team. And I also give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am who I am today because of my personal relationship with Him.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TraceFamily.jpg
Ok, you answered the question on what advice you would give a "newbie", but I'd like to know, as a mom and wife, what advice would you give a newbie who is a "mom and wife" who has a desire to compete in figure/bodybuilding? What additional advice would you offer? Believe in yourself! Compete for you, not for anyone else. And yes, you can get your figure back after having kids. There is so such thing as “I cannot do this.” Yes, you can. What better way to leave a legacy of fitness to your children. They watch every move we make and want to be like Mommy and Daddy. Show them the way. Teach them about how important it is to be healthy and staying active.
I cannot agree more with the advice on believing in yourself. If you don't, who will and how will you know how great you can be in the sport you chose to compete in? It all starts with oneself. I admire you more for being one of the gals representing us "over 40" athletes who no matter what age, we can do all we set our minds and hearts to. Never limits! Again, I posted in the thread from the USA's, I think you looked great with beautiful muscle and balance. I know you're proud of all you did and so is your family.
Your support, encouragement and dedication to the sport has not gone unnoticed. It's great that you've continued to be involved either in judging, training clients or competing. It's awesome that your family was behind you all the way (and what a beautiful family you have).
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TraceStage.jpg
Best wishes to you (& your family) in succeeding in all you focus on and can't wait to see the "new" you in a few weeks! Congrats on all your accomplishments and on being our 4th winner! :aloha:
The athlete I chose to be our 4th Competitor’s Showcase winner is a champion, even before getting on the competition stage. She is one who though is very busy (who isn't these days), seems to have a handle on BALANCING every aspect in her busy life which includes her children, husband, home, job, training, dieting and so much more.
She came out of retirement, after having had done her last bodybuilding show 11 years ago and competed in Figure in ’06, but returned to her true passion, Bodybuilding in ’08 at the wonderful age of 45! She was determined to get on that stage and present a phenomenal physique. Since I came on this board, she had been one of the first to welcome me and she’s given a ton of support and advice to other board members. What I truly admire is her focus on returning to bodybuilding after all those years and making the changes needed to compete with some other outstanding bodybuilders at the USA’s National in Las Vegas!
It’s my pleasure to announce to you our 4th official winner:
Competitor's Showcase
Winner: Tracy Bodner (aka IslandGirl)
Tracy Bodner Interviewed by Melody Chao.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TracePhotoShoot1.jpg
:aloha: Tracy! Tell us, how did you get started competing? Why did you decide to make the switch from figure to bodybuilding this year?
I started competing back in Hawaii. I use to be a runner participating in many marathons and half marathons. I enjoyed it very much. I had to hang up my running shoes due to a knee injury and shin splints. At this time, I joined a gym and started to weight train and loved the results I was getting. I immediately started to have people approach me in the gym asking me if I compete. I didn’t understand at the time what that really meant. Compete in what? lol I then met a guy who introduced me to bodybuilding. I attended a show and I found myself saying, “I want to do that.” :D I competed in 4 bodybuilding shows in Hawaii. I recently came out of retirement (lol) after 11 years and competed in my first Figure show in 2006, The Colorado State Championships.
The reason I made the switch from figure to bodybuilding this year was because I was told last year after I did the USA’s that if I wanted to continue competing in figure, I would have to stop lifting weights. Training hard, intense and heavy is who I am! I love it and cannot stop. I competed at the USA’s 2 weeks ago (bodybuilding of course) and I loved every minute of it. From prep to stage. It was awesome!
What kind of diet do you follow in your off-season? How about pre-contest? It all depends what my goals are at the time.
Off-season is a lot more relaxed. I eat clean most of the time, but if my family is going out to dinner I try not to fuss too much and enjoy the time with my family. I try to keep cheats to a minimum of 2-3 cheats a week. Our prime time to go out to eat is right after church on Sunday for lunch. I look forward to this a lot.
Pre-contest is strict. I typically carb cycle as this has worked wonderfully for me. I never cheat unless it is a “scheduled cheat”. I’m real anal about my prep. I measure all my foods regardless. Yeah, I’m anal. hahaha…
I usually eat 6-8 meals a day with 2-3 of those being TrueProtein shakes. My protein choices are: lean beef, chicken, turkey, fish, shrimp. Carb choices, I really love white rice, oatmeal and sweet potatoes. I recently found a love for peanut butter as my fat source. That could be trouble!!!
Give us an idea of what your pre-contest training looks like. I typically train 3-4x a week with weights. My last split was as followed:
*Shoulders/Traps/Triceps
*Back/Rear Delts
*Chest/Biceps
*Legs I alternate abs and calves.
Cardio starts off at 5 x a week and as I get closer to my contest it usually increases and I also get to double cardio days.
My off-season training I give credit to DC (DoggCrapp) training founded by Dante Trudel. Owner of TrueProtein.com It’s an amazing program and really tests your intensity levels. I LOVE it!
How many weeks out do you usually start your contest prep? What are you doing differently this time around as a bodybuilder? I’ve start anywhere from 12-16 weeks out.
I would say the only difference dieting as a bodybuilder this year was not having to hold back my prep because I was getting too lean. I just kept at it with my diet and cardio and practice posing a lot.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TracePhotoShoot2.jpg
If you weren't competing in bodybuilding or figure, what other sport do you think you'd be involved in? Were you involved in sports through high school or college? If so, what sports were you involved in? I think I would love to be involved in gymnastics. I’m always in awe of fitness competitors.
I played softball in high school and in college I was a runner.
What have you found to be the most fulfilling part of competing? The most fulfilling part of competing is the entire process from beginning to end. To watch my body transform and see where you can take your physique. It’s amazing to see what simple dieting-making smart choices and being active can do to your body.
Why do you compete? Why do I compete? Because I LOVE it! I love to set goals and accomplish them. I love the dedication and drive it takes to get to the stage. I love the challenge. I love everything about competing.
What supplements, if any, do you incorporate in your diet and why? Multi-vitamin, vit C, mag/cal/zinc, melatonin, fish oil, evening primrose, glucosamine/chon/msm, BCAA, L-glutamine, TrueProtein shakes. And caffeine tabs when needed.
If a newbie were to ask you for advice on getting started, what 5 things would you advise them on? • Knowledge yourself on basic training, dieting, supplements etc…Do your research. There is a lot of information available.
• You will not get results by just weight training in the gym alone. Diet and being active is a huge part of seeing results. They all go hand in hand. Make sure to be eating at least 5-6 meals a day. A balance of protein, carbs, fat and veggies. Planning is key.
• If you are wanting to compete, I highly recommend hiring someone to assist you in that direction. It helps to have that “eye”. Listen to just this one person (s) and execute your plan to the hilt. You don’t want to be standing on stage and have regrets that you didn’t follow your plan to a “T”.
• Write down your goals. Pick a show that you would like to compete in. Share these goals with your family and friends to get as much support as you can.
• Practice posing. For both Figure and Bodybuilding. This is very important. Stage presentation. You have to be able to show the judges what you have worked so hard for.
What are some of your other interests? What do you like to do when you are NOT competing or prepping for a competition? This is easy. I love spending my time with my kids. This year we got season passes to Elitch Gardens so after church on Sunday’s we go and ride roller coaster and hang out by the pool. I love watching my kids have fun! That is my joy!
I also love just hanging out with Cameron and spending quality time with him. I love how we laugh and enjoy each others company. He is my world and my everything!
We also enjoy working with our clients and helping each and everyone of them reach their fitness goals. Watching their progress and transformation is highly inspiring and motivating for us.
I love going out to eat, going to the movies, SHOPPING and watching the Food channel.
What would be your ultimate goal as a competitor? My ultimate goal as a competitor is just to keep improving my physique and conditioning each time I step on stage. To inspire other women that You Can Do This! And of course getting a Pro card would be icing on the cake.
That's awesome that you found an outlet in the gym after you decided not to run anymore. Unfortunate it was due to injuries. So, you did four bodybuilding shows and decided to retire. You made a comeback 11 years later. A lot had changed in those 11 years in the sport. What made you want to come back and compete? Yes, a lot has changed since I last competed 11 years ago.
What made me decide to get back into competition? At the time, I had probably been judging for the NPC for about 4 years. I started to get the competition itch and wondered to myself…”Can I still be competitive at age 43?” (May I add you look hot for 43! ;) ) How would I know if I didn’t try? With the support of my husband Cameron and my children, I decided to compete at the Colorado State Championships. I competed both in BB’ing and Figure.
It seems that you get a lot of support from your husband and children. How do your kids feel about you competing in bodybuilding? Are you kids active in sports? Is so, what are they interested in? How do you manage it all; training, dieting, home, kids, husband, work? Oh yes! My husband and kiddos are very supportive of me competing. I would not be able to do this without their support and encouragement. My kids LOVE it when I compete (or even guest pose). My son and daughter yell out stuff like “Go Mom” “You look great Mom” “Smile Mom” and even ….”Mom, if you don’t smile, you don’t get french fries.” lol My son yelled that out last year when I was on stage at the USA’s. I was craving french fries big time! And yes, I did get french fries after the show. :eat:
My daughter use to be in gymnastics and we are probably thinking of getting her back in again. She wants to do a fitness competition in the future. My son plays roller hockey and baseball. He really loves playing baseball. Right now he just started up his 2nd season in baseball. He loves to watch all sports….even wrestling.
How do I manage it all…..well, again, my husband Cameron. He truly is an awesome husband, father and my best friend. I would not be able to do all that I do without his help and support. We are a Team. And I also give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am who I am today because of my personal relationship with Him.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TraceFamily.jpg
Ok, you answered the question on what advice you would give a "newbie", but I'd like to know, as a mom and wife, what advice would you give a newbie who is a "mom and wife" who has a desire to compete in figure/bodybuilding? What additional advice would you offer? Believe in yourself! Compete for you, not for anyone else. And yes, you can get your figure back after having kids. There is so such thing as “I cannot do this.” Yes, you can. What better way to leave a legacy of fitness to your children. They watch every move we make and want to be like Mommy and Daddy. Show them the way. Teach them about how important it is to be healthy and staying active.
I cannot agree more with the advice on believing in yourself. If you don't, who will and how will you know how great you can be in the sport you chose to compete in? It all starts with oneself. I admire you more for being one of the gals representing us "over 40" athletes who no matter what age, we can do all we set our minds and hearts to. Never limits! Again, I posted in the thread from the USA's, I think you looked great with beautiful muscle and balance. I know you're proud of all you did and so is your family.
Your support, encouragement and dedication to the sport has not gone unnoticed. It's great that you've continued to be involved either in judging, training clients or competing. It's awesome that your family was behind you all the way (and what a beautiful family you have).
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c155/coconutsandapples/NEW/TraceStage.jpg
Best wishes to you (& your family) in succeeding in all you focus on and can't wait to see the "new" you in a few weeks! Congrats on all your accomplishments and on being our 4th winner! :aloha: