They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that's a fact, then the accompanying photos that complement this article have to be a New York Times best-seller!
Yes, there's no doubt about it, Sandra Lombardo is one HOT competitor but there is so much more to this woman than meets and greets the eye. Sandra happens to be an extremely intelligent business woman whose demanding career centers on a subject that affects us all...SLEEP.
Sandra is a Respiratory Therapist and Sleep Consultant when she is not repping out in the gym or ripping it up on stage. Ah yes, it's that fatal beauty and brains mix that leads to Sandra being totally deserving of the title "Class Act".
Sandra, let's kick off this interview with a little background history first.
"Well I was born and raised in Lakeview (Buffalo) NY. Both my mother and father have large families and I have one younger brother. I have been athletic since I can remember. I began dancing at the age of 5, I was a gymnast from the age of 10 to the age of 16, and I ran track from the age of 14-17. I had always lifted weights in high school, trying like crazy to break a bodyweight of 95lbs."
So what drew you into the gym in the first place?
"I began lifting weights seriously at the age of 19. I was 2 years into my life at the University of Buffalo and was finding myself getting caught up into the college lifestyle, poor nutrition and sleeping habits, and although I did not weigh more than 110lbs, I was becoming "skinny-fat". I had the privilege of having access to a state of the art weight room at the University, and quickly became addicted to being in the gym and admittedly, often sacrificed class to be there! My brother had started weight training at an early age and he had posters of Arnold all over his bedroom and in the basement, he was strict with his nutrition all through high school as well. I would sometimes go to the gym with him in our hometown and that's how I got started."
When did the idea of competing come to mind and what made you opt for the figure class?
"Actually I never thought I would be good enough to get on stage to compete in a sport that I loved so much...it felt like it would always remain a distant dream. I am not sure what finally prompted me to send in my 1st contest application, but at the age of 22, I did my first NPC bodybuilding competition, and did quite well. I became hooked immediately. I continued competing in bodybuilding until 2005. Figure was not very popular when I began in bodybuilding, and really was just emerging and becoming recognized. I made the switch to figure in 2007, as I knew my small frame and genetics would limit my success in my bodybuilding career."
How has your contest experience been so far?
"I have competed in over 30 shows to date (both bodybuilding and figure), and I am very pleased
with my experience thus far. I feel that I was successful as a bodybuilder, winning the overall at both NPC and other organizational shows. The same can be said for my figure career, winning the overall at NPC Saratoga Springs, and the overall at the NPC Rochester this past year. I have competed in 3 NPC National Level shows and have placed 10th, 8thand 7th, respectively"
Changing subjects and turning towards your career, I believe you are a Respiratory Therapist and a Registered Sleep technologist....in layman's terms what does your job entail?
"As a Respiratory Therapist, you are responsible for the airway management of patients, whether it be in a Hospital or a Home Care setting. This entails, but is not limited to; providing an open airway during a code in the ER, managing the ventilator of patients who are vent dependent, working with patient populations such as asthmatic, COPD and any pulmonary related diseases. The field of Sleep Medicine is an entire separate specialty altogether. This entails studying and treating patients with Sleep Disorders such as Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, and Parasomnias.
"I hold the position of a "Sleep Consultant". My job includes managing 50 accounts (Physician's) and providing them with continuing medical education, and assisting them with the set-up, and management of their sleep practices."
What drew your interest to this profession?
"My Initial goal was to attend Medical School after my degree in Biology, I knew I wanted to specialize in either Pulmonology or Cardiology, but was unsure which. After attending the University in Buffalo for a degree in Biology, I decided to attend Respiratory School, as I was not quite ready for medical school. I earned a degree in Respiratory Therapy and began working during my internship at a Children's Hospital in Buffalo.
"I was approached by one of my patient's sons and was given an opportunity to work for a large medical company in Texas at the age of 24. I began working in the sleep field and grew to love the specialty. I took my sleep registry after 3 years in the field and became registered in Sleep Medicine."
I believe you also owned a company that sets up labs for the treatment of sleep apnea patients?
"I was working in Manhattan, running a Lab on the Upper East Side, and was approached by the Consultant who set up our Lab. I purchased the consulting company from him at the age of 27, (scared out of my mind as to what I had just gotten myself into), and began setting up labs across the country. Some were successful, others, not so much, but I learned a lot about the business and narrowed it down to setting up Labs primarily in the Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens, area. I sold the company as I was approached by a very large and successful organization to come aboard full-time as a Senior Sleep consultant, which is the position I currently hold."
How large a segment of the population do you feel suffers from sleep apnea itself and could you tell us a little about the condition?
"Over 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with Sleep Apnea and 5% of the population is said to have untreated (OSA) Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) occurs when the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing cessation of breathing (apnea) or inadequate breathing (hypopnea) and sleep fragmentation.
Sleep apnea may have a huge impact in both the short term and long term:
Short-term Automotive accidents
Excessive sleepiness
Decreased quality of life
Neurocognitive and performance deficits
• Long-term Hypertension
Heart disease
Heart attack
Arrhythmias
Stroke
Impaired glucose tolerance(Diabetes)
Sleep disorders in general affect a large section of society, I include myself here. Given that fact, do you feel that pharmaceuticals are over-prescribed?
"I believe that the pharmaceutical industry has done a wonderful (laugh) job targeting the general population. Patients nowadays have unlimited resources to research their "ailments" and often times deduct their own diagnoses based on what they have led themselves to be believe they may have. Speaking specifically in terms of the sleep disorders population, I believe that patients are placed on pharmaceuticals by their Physicians prior to them even being tested for a Sleep Related Disorder. This is a huge problem. Patients with untreated Obstructive Sleep apnea may be resistant to their anti-hypertensive medication, patients who are being treated for chronic pain, may develop sleep apnea due to the effects of their opiod treatment leading to relaxation of their muscles (including muscles of upper airway). Children are being diagnosed with attention deficit disorders and being treated with medication, when research has shown that untreated OSA can lead to and often cause the same symptoms as ADD."
Are there any real safe natural alternatives?
"Once again, as it relates to the field of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Disorders breathing, there are many natural alternatives. The most popular treatment for OSA is CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP is a device that uses room air, to deliver a specific pressure (in centimeters of water pressure) delivered through a mask, to push past the obstruction in a patient's airway and allow the airway to remain open during sleep.
There is a field of Sleep medicine called Behavior Sleep medicine, using behavioral techniques as opposed to medicinal to help patients who suffer from disorders other than OSA. Natural treatments may include changing their sleeping times, changing their nutrition, light box therapy, etc."
[ed. Note: Listen to Monday January 24, 2011 Heavy Muscle Radio for a comprehensive interview with Dr. Durlan Castro concerning sleep apnea, in-home testing, and CPAP Machines]
What are your personal goals when it comes to your professional career?
"I would have to say that I am proud to be a part of one of the top companies in the world. I really hope to continue educating as many Physicians as possible on the prevalence, and importance of Sleep Disorders, so that they can properly screen their patients and be sure that they are treated as soon as possible, thus decreasing the risk for many other health issues down the road."
Getting back to your competitive life...do you find it difficult to fit in going to the gym in terms of your work schedule...and what if you have had a long day at work, how do you motivate yourself to get in there when in reality your first inclination is to go home and rest?
"The best thing about my job is that I make my own schedule. One of the BETTER things about my job is that the field of sleep medicine is a 24 hour a day business. Much of my work is spent in the Labs in the evening while the staff is there, which allows me time during the day to get my workout in. I never really push myself to go to the gym, I guess what I mean is; my life and everything about me is very much regimented. I plan my workouts according to my appointment schedule and if I get to the gym and don't feel like being there, I leave and do not do a workout. I feel that I would rather wait until I am refreshed, than to waste my time not completely focused on what I am doing, my brain just functions that way.... "All or nothing". If I am traveling for work, I always research the nearest franchise gym prior to the trip, and make a point of building it into my schedule; I never work out at the hotel."
What do you think of the recent changes within the competition classes and is the new women's physique division something you may be interested in?
"It will definitely be interesting. I cannot even begin to speculate on this, but will wait a few months to see how the first show pans out! As long as I continue to place well at the national level, or if I am advised by the judges otherwise, I will stick with figure."
How do you see your competitive career evolving and would you like to branch out into say fitness modeling or other media outlets?
"Since first stepping on the national stage, my goals have changed immensely. As my placing has moved up, I have become more confident and have made some major changes for this year's round of pro-qualifiers. Being a big fish in a little pond in my hometown, suddenly hit me with a major reality check at the national level, where I am competing with all of the other "big fish". Being good no longer cuts it, being exceptional will be the only way to have a chance at top 5, and my ultimate goal, a pro card. I have had the privilege of shooting with Dan Ray, both at the Arnold Classic, and at the Red Rock Canyon in Vegas. I am kind of a "keep to myself" person with regards to my bodybuilding/figure image, but c'mon, who wouldn't branch into fitness modeling, if the opportunity presented itself?! I plan on shooting with Dan again this year, he is a wonderful photographer."
Finally how can people contact you?
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