For top figure Pro Angela Mraz life is about one thing PASSION. Angela has a passion and a drive for everything that she does and just one swift glance at her track record in the sport provides ample proof of that fact.
A winner of four consecutive WNBF Pro World Figure titles, Angela switched back to the NPC last year (having previously competed with them in 2002) determined to become an IFBB Pro. Winning the NPC Team Universe Masters Overall last year accomplished just that and now her eyes are on the prize of standing on the Ms Olympia stage.
With so many goals achieved and many more waiting in the wings, I am sure you will agree it is time we got to know the amazing Ms Myraz a little bit better. So read on as we take a journey into the mind of a born winner!
So, first of all Angela, looking at all your achievements in the sport I have to ask if you have always been athletically inclined or if this is something that came along later in life?
“As you probably already know I grew up in Colombia and the schools that I went to didn’t have much to offer for physical activities or sports – I always wanted to get involved in some type of sport or go to a gym but unfortunately never had the opportunity to do any of that for various reasons. It Wasn’t until I had my son- who is now 12 years old - that I first started training at the gym, doing cardio and was introduced to weightlifting. “
Turning to competition, was it hard for you mentally- after winning 4 consecutive WNBF Pro-World figure titles – to take a step backwards and enter the NPC as an amateur?
“Being the champion for 4 years with the WNBF was an amazing experience for me as a competitor and as an athlete. I wouldn’t consider entering the NPC on an amateur level as a step backwards since I competed with the NPC a few years before I decided to go with the INBF/WNBF. To me returning to the NPC was a big step forward, a great challenge and a huge opportunity in my career as a figure competitor to become a member of the IFBB was my goal and I did it! So I am very proud and happy of my decision to come back to the NPC, disconnecting from the WNBF federation was the best thing that could have happened to me.”
After being brave enough to make that move getting your pro card must have been a sweet victory….
“Absolutely! As I mentioned above returning to the NPC was going to be a great challenge and not an easy road but that’s what I like! I love to challenge myself and bring to stage the best possible physique every time I compete and I did just that for Team Universe last year – so yes!!! It was a great victory!”
At 5’ 2” you compete at 105lbs and stay pretty close to that weight year round. Is that hard for you or relatively easy?
“I have to admit that I am a fanatic when it comes to eating healthily, training, taking care of my body and taking the best supplements out there to feel good and look good! I do my best to stay pretty close to competition weight all year round because this is just part of my life, I love the feeling of being strong, healthy full of energy….this is a lifetime commitment and not a seasonal thing to do just to compete.”
Can you give us an example of a day’s eating for the off season?
“My diet is very simple and for some people is very boring …
PROBOLIC SR – 4:30 am
6 to 8 egg whites with ½ cup of oatmeal – 7:00am
Grilled chicken with Asparagus or Broccoli and brown rice or sweet potato – 10:00am
Green Apple – 12:00
Grilled Chicken Salad or veggies – 2:00pm
Almonds – Rice Cakes – 4:00pm
Grilled Turkey breast with veggies – 6:30
Egg whites or PROBOLIC SR with Cottage Cheese before bed time
I see you mention the use of PROBOLIC SR…what other supplements do you use?
“I make full use of all the MHP supplements…Dren, Trac, No Bomb, Glutamine SR, Dark Matter SR, Activite, BCAA, A Bomb and X-Pel. I find they really make a difference in terms of strength, energy and recovery.”
So what is your favorite ‘cheat treat’?
“Warm bread, Almonds, Cereal with milk.”
Turning to your job, I believe you work for supplement company MHP. What exactly are you responsible for there?
“I am in charge of International Sales – I love my job by the way!”
The sports supplement market is highly competitive. How do you go about convincing people that they should opt for MHP?
“MHP is not only an amazing company to work for because of the unbelievable and respectful person running the company but because the products that we have available will give results not only to professional athletes but to anybody looking to improve their physique, people get results right away when taking MHP supplements, MHP is known for always providing the consumers with new, exclusive and unique formulas that work so my job is easy… no need to convince anybody to purchase they just come to us!”
Outside of your position at MHP you are also a Personal Trainer. How lucrative a side line is that for you?
“Yes I am a certified personal and figure trainer. This is something that I do more because of a passion for health and fitness! I enjoy working with people and teaching them how to shape their bodies and to feel good about the way they look. Is it lucrative? Yes it is but since I only do it part time and I am very particular about the clients that I take is just a great way to make some extra money to save for future projects that I have in mind.”
Do you ever feel that training other people drains you of energy and motivation when it comes to training yourself?
“Absolutely NOT! My clients are part of my motivation to train even harder. They look up to me, they rely on me to give them energy and keep them on track with their training, diets, goals and commitment so there is no way I can come in to the room with out motivation or energy – I am always providing them with lots of exciting programs, meal plans and setting up goals to achieve and we do it together. So to me training others and seeing results is such a great achievement that it just helps me with my own training as well.”
You are married with a twelve year old son how do your husband and son cope with your demanding lifestyle?
“They are unbelievable! The support and help that I get from both of them is just indescribable! My husband was the one who introduced me to weightlifting and my son motivates me and helps me when I am preparing for a show….he is the sweetest little boy in the world. My life can get very hectic at times with work, responsibility as a wife and mother, personal training and competitions but I try to keep everything under control by being organized and prioritizing everything I have to do. Of course my family comes first and I do my best to keep them happy no matter how many things I have to do.”
On top of all this you have a book in the works too. How did that come about….and how did you find the time?
“Yes the book is finally done and unfortunately I haven’t done anything to do the final step which is to get it the hands of a publishing company but that time will come soon I hope! It was completed about a year ago and again it is easy to do something when you have the passion for it. The book is all about changing your body and obtaining a perfect physique by healthy eating and exercise!”
You also do Figure Contest Preparation Seminars in New Jersey. What would someone going to one of those expect to gain from the experience?
“My figure camps are dedicated to Figure contest preparations and we basically cover everything from weight training, cardio, diet contest, supplementation, posing and motivation. The girls learn everything they need to know about competition plus we get to share our experiences with girls that competed before. They are so much fun! “
All this work….what do you do to relax …presuming you have time….
“One of the things that I enjoy the most is to be with my family, go to the movies, go out for diner, just sitting down and listening to my son’s stories, cooking for them, reading motivational books and going to get a pedicure and manicure!”
Do you have a vision of how you would like your future to unfold?
“So far my life has been full of unbelievable surprises and amazing opportunities that for sure I took advantage of to make things better not only for my present life but also for my future and I believe that everything that I am doing now will eventually bring success and more happiness to my life. I am a very optimistic person and everything that I do has a purpose and that purpose usually turns in to a dream come true.”
In the meantime what can we expect from you this year?
“After getting my IFBB pro card last year my goal was to be invited to the Arnold Classic, and I was invited! Being on that stage was such an honor! Now I will continue to compete and hopefully get to the top in order to qualify for the Olympia and get invited again to compete at the Arnold Classic next year. I will continue to improve my physique, take care of my body and health and of course always be full of energy and healthy for my family.
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