The Switch From Bodybuilding to Physique: An Exclusive Interview With Nicole Ball
For nearly a decade Nicole Ball has been one of the most popular and recognizable faces in female bodybuilding. Her combination of beauty, grace, and a world class physique has turned her into one of the sport’s biggest stars. Now, in 2013, Nicole plans to tackle a whole new set of challenges as she attempts to make the jump from bodybuilding to the world of women’s physique. Find out more about one of the sports leading ladies in this Rx Muscle exclusive.
Q.) How did you first develop an interest in bodybuilding?
A.) Ever since I was a teenager I was always fascinated by the look of an athletic woman. It symbolized personal strength to me. I have always been a competitive person within myself and wa
s never happy with “just enough”, this I feel was a advantage to me as I went through a few years of an emotional roller coaster of self acceptance and bulimia. As I found the strength to come back out on top I also found the strength to become what it was I always was fascinated by. I hired a trainer just months after getting the disease under control and decided to give 100% to myself, to get back what it was when I holding myself back, and that was independence, acceptance and personal strength. I found this in the gym as my love for it came naturally. It was only a year after I faced my fears in hospital that I decided to compete. Then for the next seven years I was undefeated in Canada for my weight classes and knew from the first time, scared as hell, but proud that I stood on the stage that it was there I beat every battle in life and within myself. I knew that was where I belonged.
Q.) Let's jump ahead to 2007. Within the span of a few months you win your pro card at Canadian Nationals, win your pro debut at the Atlantic City Pro, and cap off the year by placing 8th in your first Olympia. Talk a bit about what that year was like, and you remember about your first Olympia experience.
A.) I don't think any of us can really describe the feeling of personal achievements. Reaching the Olympia was a three year goal of mine that I made once I won my pro card. After just a few months there I was winning my first pro show in Atlantic City for my weight class and standing onstage for the overall with Lisa Auckland!!! This was what made my day…a beautiful woman in the sport that I would look at and
watch and only dream of being able to be on a stage with, and there I was!!! Was I scared? Maybe that’s it looked like I forgot to walk out next to her! Lol…but damn that was a proud moment. Then, when it was all over, I sat at the Little 60s Diner on the boardwalk and looked at my boyfriend and started to giggle and said “wow that was a short three years!!!!!!” The Olympia are you kidding me!! Then, for the Olympia, I focused on it like it was any other show. As I knew I could only go there being my best. Fresh on the pro circuit I had nothing to prove, but I wanted come in with a condition that couldn't go unrecognized and I did just that. I was a small girl onstage, but I was a fighter and to be recognized I was ecstatic with 8th place at my first Olympia!!!! From then on I just promised myself that as long as I put my heart and passion into everything I did that I would get the privilege of being there again and I was blessed to have four out of seven years as a pro bodybuilder on the Olympia stage!!!
Q.) You started out 08' with a bang by winning the Tampa Pro and coming in 2nd at the Europa. At the 08' Olympia you came in 11th, given the momentum that you had been building heading into that show, were you disappointed with your placing?
A.) I had an amazing career all throughout. I always did everything I could to be better than I was the year before, and I truly believe that year I did also. When I look back at photos I believe the women also came in stronger. One cannot always go by their placing but the quality of athletes on the stage at that given time. If any athlete is going to be upset with their placing after making the Olympia two years for two are you kidding me….no! I was blessed to be there and it was the beginning of my career. As the years went on yes I expected more from myself and have there been times I was disappointed? Yes, of course, but it never stopped me from coming back year after year focused on being better than before
Q.) Let’s take a step back for a moment. Up to this point you've had a very successful pro career including two wins, and four Olympia appearances. Unfortunately the state of female bodybuilding as steadily declined over that time, with seemingly fewer and fewer shows being held each year. In your opinion, what's causing the decline in shows and attendance?
A.) I think women always had the disadvantage as it is not exactly the “publics” perfect opinion of what women should look like. As the sport became more and more evolved the women were growing along with the sport which caused a larger percentage of ignorance from the average Joes point of view. It’s really sad that a woman that shows such strength and passion for something they truly love to do is not openly appreciated by so many. I also believe that the sport is male dominated as we have so many amazing male athletes that do represent in an incredible way. On men muscle is more accepted. There are a lot more men in this sport with an incredible wow factor that draws larger numbers of fans to support the shows that are being held by the amazing promoters out there that stand behind all us athletes. Since bikini has come into the sport it is just more of a main stream look for a lot of women and it has boosted numbers for all the shows where bodybuilding is a look we as individuals have a passion for and it is the extreme of what women “should be” but unfortunately all of the love we have and the dedication we hold in changing our look to what we appreciate is not exactly the “look” that sells to the average guy,
or woman for that fact.
Q.) It's been said that the future of female bodybuilding may be in jeopardy. What do you think the industry as a whole has to do in order to help keep the sport a float?
A.) It is what it will be. One can only go forth with their heart. We have no control over what lies ahead of us and have to live our personal lives with pride and no regrets.
Q.) Are there any challenges faced by female competitors that are over looked by males in the industry?
A.) The challenges we are faced with are only what we allow to become barricades in our lives.
Q.) Are there any aspects of bodybuilding that you're going to miss now that you're moving on to the physique world?
A.) Oh God, where shall I begin? My heart will always be in bodybuilding as it was the chosen sport for me that changed my life. It saved my life. I’ll miss the continuous training to be not necessarily bigger, but more sculpted from show to show. The “freak” factor that comes with the sport of strong lines,vascularity,low body fat, thin skin…you name it I’ll miss it.
Q.) You're currently planning on making the transition from bodybuilding to physique. What was it that sparked that decision?
A.) I always promised myself that if there ever came a time in my career that I felt I gave 100% and the improvement I needed to make in my physique or conditioning was spot on, or I felt discouragement of any kind that I would make myself withdraw from the sport. I will never let anything dictate if I’m good enough being me, and refuse to fight with the fact of feeling my best was not good enough. After the last Olympia appearance I truly believe I brought the best package of my career. I will admit I thought it was good enough to make top 5, but all due respect I placed 8th. I looked back at my pictures and physique and was very proud of my look. As I felt I did not want to get any bigger and my condition, to me, was the best I could bring. I began, for the first time in my life, feeling discouraged and as a promise I made in the beginning of my career it was time to step back because this sport is a passion but will not dictate how I feel about myself just because of a placing. I love the stage and this sport. Women’s Physique just allows me to continue to train, to love the industry and to step foot onstage with a different look to aim for. We all need sparks under us to keep dreams alive and goals to achieve and I believe this is just another time in my life I can focus on and be my best again for me and for the ones who believe in me no matter what decisions I have made.
Q.) Do you think the sport of women's physique will bring even more newcomers to the sport since they may feel that the look is more attainable?
A.) Absolutely. Look at the numbers already, they say it all. It’s just more attainable to a lot more women. We’ll see how the winners are chosen this year. Last year the winners started quite a bit smaller and softer look but towards the end the women were coming out on top with stronger fuller physiques. I was still up in the air about the look until New York Last year and Juliana Malacarne won. I thought her look was beautiful and complete. It’s a great staple for the new division.
Q.) What changes have you had to make to your diet and training in order to make the jump between divisions.
A.) There have been many. As we all know my delts were always dominating on stage and I just brought up my legs really in the last year of my pro bodybuilding career. As the size came on I also was fighting with waist issues, becoming larger. I have continued my training with Hany Rambod and we are working together at bringing that all together to present an overall smaller but more importantly symmetrical pleasing look. I’m in good ha
nds and I never for one minute lost my fire as an athlete.
Q.) What are some of the changes you and Hany have made to help you make the transition?
A.) Our training is between us. I respect his approach into different things that we have done. Sometimes I have thought “what the heck” really???” Lol…But hey, he has never let me down so once again we are working together this year as he truly knows this sport and the individuals that he works with. His dedication is followed by his beliefs not only in his own way of training but his athletes.
Q.) Where can fans expect to see you onstage this year?
A.) Right now we are aiming for Chicago and again the Europa in August. My schedule is crazy back home and this still gives me the time needed to try and come in looking complete.
Nicole is no stranger when it comes to stepping into new territory. She’s been able to remain one of the biggest stars in female bodybuilding because of her ability to reinvent herself and succeed when people thought she couldn’t. As she prepares to make the leap from bodybuilding to physique she’ll be faced with a situation that’s all too familiar. She’ll be in a fight that no one expects her to win, and I have a feeling she wouldn’t want it any other way.
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
