The new sport of NPC Bikini is attracting a great variety of women from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. One would think that the most successful Bikini Athletes and stars would come from dance, theatre or modeling and that they would primarily be from warm and sunny states such as Florida or California. However, the Bikini talent network stretches much further than just these three disciplines and states.
Meet Indiana resident and educator Summer Taylor. Summer has already made a name for herself at the National NPC Bikini level and her goal of becoming an IFBB Pro is well within reach.
I had the opportunity to photograph and interview Summer at the 2010 Jr. Nationals. Here is what this tall and striking NPC Bikini Athlete had to say:
Birth Place:
Detroit, Michigan.
Current Residence:
Indiana
Ethnicity:
Polish and French Canadian.
Do you have children?
No “human” children. I have my furry “kids” though and they’re certainly my children. I speak to my Doberman, just as if she was my child and interestingly, she’s learned enough “human speak” to know what I’m saying!
Do you train with someone?
I train with the “Bombshell Team”. Shannon Dey and Rob Rosetti are amazing!!
What is your occupation?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. I’m currently in education but I’m interested in melding my degree and my passion for fitness into a new adventure.
Why did you pick the NPC Bikini Division?
I chose the NPC organization because it’s a highly respected organization that I’m very proud to be a part of. As far as Bikini, it chose meJ. I am tall with a small bone structure and while I have muscle, it can easily be lost on my lanky arms and long legs.
What do you enjoy the most about being an NPC Athlete?
I love being an NPC Athlete. It takes a lot of mental strength and tenacity to be a successful NPC Athlete and I love knowing that I’m completely and utterly in charge of my own destiny within this great organization. I beam with pride when I get to talk about the NPC and how I’ve grown and become a better, stronger person for having been affiliated with the organization.
You tied for first at the 2010 Jr. Nationals and ended up in second after the tie breaker. Did you expect such a high placing? Is that a disappointment or fuel for motivation?
I only concern myself with those things that I can affect. I came to Jr. Nationals with my best package to date. I had done everything in my power to be my absolute best. I had no expectations on placement; placement is not my area of expertise, it's the judges' expertise, so I leave that up to them. Of course I want my pro card, but I feel that when I present the best package on stage in the best manner, then I'll earn that pro card. In the meantime, I'll bust my Bombshell booty and work on all those things that I am in charge of.
How many shows have you competed in and how did you do?
1st Competition. Placement: 10th out of 20 competitors, NPC Kentucky Northern Figure Competition, 2005
Placement: 4th, NPC Indianapolis Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, 2006
Placement: Overall Champion, NPC Mid-States Classic XIX, 2006
Placement: 3rd, NPC Natural Ohio Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, 2007
Placement: 1st, NPC Natural Ohio Bodybuilding and Figure Championships, 2007
As you can see, I began my NPC career in Figure in 2005. With the exception of my first show, I have placed in the top 4 of every show I’ve ever competed in. However, despite that success, I have greater expectations of myself within this organization and I feel that Bikini is a better fit for me and I will be able to go farther within this new division.
When the show weekend is over and you get to have a cheat meal, what do you order first?
A margarita! As a matter of fact, generally my husband and family have the margarita ordered for me before I ever get to the restaurant; they know me so well!
How many days a week do you train with weights?
I train 5 days a week with weights.
How close do you stay to your contest weight in between shows?
Up until I was part of the Bombshell team, my weight fluctuated quite a bit. Now, as a Bombshell, I stay within 3-4 pounds of contest weight always. I want to be ready for any fitness opportunity that comes my way so staying in contest shape year round leaves me “ready and willing!”
What are your goals and aspirations in the sport?
I have a lot of goals and aspirations within this sport and as a fitness-oriented individual. I think that fitness is such a transcending lifestyle. I’d really like to share with others how it’s altered my life and my self-concept. I’d like to teach people that a gateway to happiness can be through fitness. I’d love to do a Q & A in a fitness magazine like Alicia Marie does for Oxygen. Only I’d like to focus on the mental, emotional, and inner-spiritual benefits of fitness. While we often think that we’re at the gym to improve our physiques, I’ve found that the inner strength is truly the priceless result. In a world where antidepressants are handed out at an alarming rate, I think that we all need something that makes us feel good about ourselves inside and out. I’ve always been known to be very profound and enlightening and I think that I have the ability and attitude to help other people find happiness through fitness. I’d like the opportunity to motivate others to thrive in life, not just survive it.
Who in the sport inspires you?
There are quite a few women in this sport that inspire me, but I’d say that my most inspirational NPC Bikini competitor is Jaime Baird. I became friends with Jaime at a modeling workshop and she’s impressed me ever since. She is the most gracious, warm, friendly person I know. She’s so elegant on stage. She oozes class and grace. I wish to emulate her.
Tell us your favorite and funniest moment at an NPC show that you competed at.
My favorite moments at NPC shows are simply the small things. Before I competed as a Bombshell, I was always the girl backstage without a support system and yet, for the most part, the women were helpful, kind and approachable. Being all alone, I appreciated that.
I don’t really have a funny NPC story so I’ll tell a funny gym story. In a hurry, after a great workout, I grabbed my clothes, left the gym and piled them on top of my purse in the passenger seat of my car. My next stop was Wal-Mart. After I parked, I grabbed my purse and walked rapidly towards the entrance. I was a woman on a mission and though I did feel something brush up against my leg below my purse, I was ever so focused on getting in the store and getting my goods, so I dismissed it. As I entered the door of Wal-Mart, I see the sweet, old greeter of the store welcome me with the most mortified look on his aged face. His eyes made a slight movement towards my purse, so I looked down and much to my horror and humiliation I see why he was so shocked. Hooked and hanging vertically from my purse, as if I meant to do it, hung my Clorox white granny bra! “Oops,” I said and quickly retrieved it and put it in my purse. The sweet old guy just grinned. I bet he tells this same story about when he was working as a Wal-Mart greeter and some crazy lady came waltzing in with a bra hanging from her purse!
What question do you get asked the most at the gym?
I’m sure it’s the same questions many competitors get asked: What can I do to look like you quickly? What can I do to look like you? But, just so you know, I must be able to eat what I want. I only have 20 minutes three times a week, what can I do to look like you?Sadly, most people think there’s some “secret” when what it really is, is exceptionally HARD WORK!!
If you could have "one" best body part, what would it be?
I want a great butt! Enough said…
What is the most frequent compliment that you get?
I wish I could say it was something that I busted my booty on daily, but it’s my hair. My hair is naturally curly and thick, with a mind of its ownJ. But it makes an impression on people and they often comment about it.
What in your past experiences contributed the most to your early NPC Bikini success?
I’ve done some modeling in the past so I was pretty comfortable on the stage, which helped a lot. Also, to be honest, I’m not afraid of much. I’ve been embarrassed and lived through it. I’ve fallen down and gotten back up. I’ve been hurt and I’ve always healed. So, I just wasn’t intimidated. I embraced any nervousness or apprehension that I felt and channeled it as excitement, which brought out the best in me. I attacked the weights in the gym with passion, trampled the treadmill aggressively and pumped out the plyometrics. I went into every event knowing that I was presenting the best “me” to that point and that was all I could do. It’s easy to find solace in knowing you’ve done everything in your power to solidify your success and now the rest is out of your hands.
I never had a school teacher that looked like you. I'm sure a lot of fathers "want" to show up for teacher/parent day (lol). Do you teach to your students the benefits of health and fitness?
Hmm...maybe that's why my classroom is always so full on parent night! LOL! Oh yes, the subject that I teach is biology but the students are far more interested in my knowledge of health and fitness. It's always been said that we teach more by example and my students have learned so much by seeing me eat my asparagus at 10:00 AM. We have great conversations about what it means to be healthy and fit.
Since spankings aren't allowed in school anymore, do your boy students try to get detention?
No, for the most part, the boys want my attention but not in a negative way...thank God! For whatever reason, the boys think I'm way stronger than they are and they always want to know what I bench press. I just let them wonder... For the few that act out, I have a push-up rule instead of detention. 20 push-ups to nonathletes and 50 to the athletes. They must perform the push-ups in front of the class right along side me. No boy wants their teacher to be able to do more push-ups than them in front of their peers. I've never had one boy take me up on it and the negative behavior stops instantly. I know someday that rule will probably bite me in the booty when an athletic boy takes me up on it, but when it does, we'll all have a good laugh and get back to business.
I have a very easy time with the students, both boys and girls. They all respect the discipline that it takes to do what I do and they're very curious about it. I had one class this past school year that had a blast with trying to tempt me. I had shared with the class that I have a love-hate relationship with Culvers, which is a restaurant with delicious custard treats that are similar to Dairy Queen blizzards. I love Culvers but I don't eat it because I hate what it would do to my physique. After that conversation, every chance they got, the students would leave Culvers coupons on my desk or tell me how they had Culvers that weekend and how delicious it was. I'd gasp and get all animated and they'd just laugh and laugh. It was great fun.
What's up next for you?
I’m ready for a new adventure. I’m working on getting my new website up and running: summertaylor.net. I’m interested in fitness modeling, doing some magazine work, and working with supplement companies. As I said earlier, I’d like to pursue a column in a magazine focused on making fitness a gateway to happiness. And as any national level competitor will say, I’m chasing that elusive pro card. I’m chasing it with a ferocious determination.
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