“Success is never final. Failure is never fatal. It is courage that counts!” WINSTON CHURCHILL.
These are the words that Figure competitor, Tammy Bravomalo has chosen to live by and, as such, speak volumes about her attitude towards life. In fact even when it comes to the business of competing Tammy has a very grounded attitude, having shared with me before this interview that when it comes to competing she never allows herself to become discouraged by a placing, she simply uses each experience as an opportunity to learn and improve on for the next show. And, when you consider that she placed second in her very first show and then followed it up with a first place in the next contest she entered, you can tell she is a very fast learner!
This year may have proved a little tougher for her but then again when you compete in the USA and National Championships you are up against the elite and it has to be said that Tammy in no way looked out of place on that stage.
Currently getting ready to return to competition next year I decided to take a little time to find out more about this ambitious athlete and what attracted her to the world of working out and taking the results to the stage….
Tammy, you are pretty new to competing so I guess the first question would have to be what drew you into the sport?
“I’ve always had a hard time gaining weight, but I am able to eat a lot of food. So my husband/trainer thought
I should take advantage of this in order to gain muscle mass. He would buy me different fitness magazines so
that I could learn more about working out and healthy eating. After looking through these magazines month
after month, I just knew I had to compete. I absolutely love new experiences and challenges and I felt that by
competing I would not only have something to really focus on but it would also re enforce the desire I now
had to stay active and healthy.”
Well you certainly made the right decision when it came to competing, coming in second in your very first show. So how was that first time up on stage for you?
“I have to say that getting ready for my first show proved to be a lot more work than expected, but it was so
much fun! I had no clue what to expect when I was up on stage. I have never been in front of a large crowd.
Surprisingly, I was more excited than nervous.”
What did you learn from that show that you put into practice in your next show?
“My first show definitely taught me about how important it is to be confident up there! I also learned a lot
about tanning application, posing and carb cycling. Competing definitely consists of baby steps but I have
always lived my life without regrets. Instead of having regrets I have lessons and there is no better place to
put those lessons into practice than when you are up on stage competing!”
Away from competition one thing that not a lot of people know is that you suffered from skin cancer not too long ago. Can you share your story with us about that?
“During my senior year of college (spring semester) I noticed a smooth, small, red bump on my left calf.
I didn’t really think anything of it at first, but when it got larger and did not go away after a few weeks, I
became concerned. There were only a couple of weeks left in the semester and I had to focus on finals. Plus, I only liked to go to The Cleveland Clinic. So, I scheduled the first available appointment to see a dermatologist after I got home.
“At the initial appointment, they removed the bump and ran the results immediately. The doctor called me
later that day. He informed me I had skin cancer and it was spreading rapidly, to the point he thought the
cancer could be lymphatic within a week. I had to come in the next day to have the cancer and surrounding
cells removed. It actually was not too painful, but I was limited on what I could do.
“During the whole waiting process, my biggest fear was not being able to walk down the aisle to marry
my best friend, Andrew. I was so blessed it was an easy fix and I got married a month after the procedure.
Andrew and I have now been married for over 7 years.”
Since tanning is part and parcel of competing has that experience made you shy away completely from sun beds?
“I live in Florida, so I soak up the sun for many months out of the year. When I can’t go out in the sun, I
will still go to a tanning bed periodically. I am a big supporter of sunscreen in the sun and even on the
tanning bed. Through the years, I have found that I can still enjoy life to its fullest, but I have to take many
precautions.”
What are your feelings about sun beds in general?
“I have nothing against tanning salons, because the sun is damaging as well. However, everyone should take
precautions and be fully aware of their body. Most importantly, everyone should see a dermatologist on a
regular basis. Some might think a mole is nothing, but personal awareness and a doctor can save their life.”
Turning our attention towards food, I believe you are one of those lucky people who can eat a lot of
food without gaining weight. That being said how has your attitude towards food and your diet in
general changed since you began competing?
“My eating habits before competing consisted of eating fast food almost every day. Since I started competing, my diet has completely changed. It consists of high protein, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates. It is amazing how changing your eating habits can transform your body.”
Do you have to watch your weight at all in the off season?
“No, but I do. If I don’t, all my weight will go straight to my behind. This would mean even more cardio before a show and, believe me that is not something I want to do if I can avoid it!”
Workout wise what sort of schedule do you follow when you are preparing for a show?
“My workout schedule consists of cardio in the morning and working out in the evening. When I am cutting
for a show, I have to focus on heavy lifting and high protein intake because I lose muscle mass very quickly.
This is what an average week looks like:
Sunday: OFF
Monday: Shoulders and abs
Tuesday: Biceps and triceps
Wednesday: Legs and calves
Thursday: Back, chest, and abs
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Hamstrings and calves
Which body part did you find the hardest to bring up to contest standard and how did you achieve this?
“I don’t know what it is, but I have the most stubborn glutes in the world! I have to work so hard to burn fat
on those suckers. Before a show, I have to step it up a notch and do more plyometrics, heavier squats, lunges, and cardio.”
Bodybuilding and working out is sometimes seen as a narcissistic sport, how would you answer that
accusation if it was hurled at you?
“Lol! I have had people say that to me. My response is that I like to work out and stay healthy. Competing
helps me stay focused on my goals of healthy living.”
Given that….would you still workout if you were on a desert island?
“Absolutely….as I said, for me it is all about being healthy and I would want to be healthy even on a desert
island!”
Tell us one thing about yourself that we may find surprising?
“Actually I will tell you two… I have never broken a bone, but I have had many close calls and I was friends
with “The Miz” in high school.”
Finally, what are your long term goals in and out of the sport?
“My goals are to become an IFBB Figure Professional, to gain sponsorship, to continue living a healthy
lifestyle, and become a well-known fitness model so I can hopefully be a source of inspiration for others.”
Tammy can be contacted at [email protected] and is due to return to the stage
next year.
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