Relentless Passion: An RX Girl Exclusive Interview with Species Athlete Heather Dees
No one can deny that the lovely and talented Heather Dees is one of figure’s budding young stars. Coming off of her win at the 2013 IFBB California Governors Cup Pro Figure, Heather has cemented herself as one of the top women in sport. After finishing up a strong 2012 c
ampaign with a 4th place finish at the Olympia, she’s poised and ready to make 2013 a year to remember. Heather started off the year with bang by placing 2nd at the Arnold Classic and followed that up with a dazzling performance in California. I caught up with Heather following her recent win to discuss her career, her future, and everything in between in this Rx Muscle exclusive.
Q.) Looking back to your first competition in 2008, did you ever imagine that five years down the road you'd be one of the most successful women in the sport?
A.) Wow, what a great question, Thank You! I would say I hoped to be! I knew my potential after meeting Justin Dees. He encouraged me to take the sport as far as I could and believed in me from the beginning. I competed in my 1st competition without ever even seeing one so I wasn't sure what I was in for, but after winning the Overall in March of 2008 I was hooked!! I wanted that pro card, and more importantly, the Olympia Title!
Q.) We've really seen an explosion of popularity and growth on the female side of the sport in the last few years, and with the new additions of physique and bikini the numbers continue to grow. Why do you think so many new women are gravitating towards the industry now?
A.) I think that with all the divisions now available to Women there is something for everyone! I heard the Hawaiian Tropics competition/pageants are no longer happening which, I believe, brings women who love the stage over to the NPC/IFBB... Also, with more awareness of healthy living and lifestyle as social media continues to explode, women believe in having goals to drive themselves to accomplishing better, healthier physiques. Knowing I will step on stage only pushes me to strive to reach those set goals and I am sure a lot of women feel that way. Goals drive me to be better!
Q.) When you consider the number of pro cards given out for figure at the national level shows, does it water down the sport at all since so many girls are turning pro each year?
A.) I don't be
lieve with the amount of pro cards given to women it waters down the sport at all! I think there are so many women with different goals and some of them only want their pro card and won't necessarily ever compete in the pro's! There are also a lot of women who retire to have families and move on to different life goals. It is a small window for women, just like men in the grand scheme of things that usually compete. I think the Women that are really driven and make the Olympia their goal will step on the Olympia stage, but not everyone wants that! It’s great to see the girls that do and you can tell by the consistency and improvements they make each year!
Q.) Given the popularity of the industry now, do you feel it's possible to influence the mainstream ideal of what women should like?
A.) I do think I can be a positive influence to healthy living but I am not sure there is a mainstream ideal. There are so many different body types that not everyone can look the same way. I like encouraging women to have a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, weight training and sufficient amount of cardio to keep a strong, lean physique. I have more muscle than some women want, but I love the way I look. I would encourage any woman that asks me to know what they want to look like and strive toward that goal. I get positive and negative comments from mainstream society but it doesn't affect the way I feel about myself! I want to show up to every show looking the way that makes me feel good, confident and successful! That’s what I want for all the women I work and associate with!
Q.) One of the keys to your success has been your ability to steadily improve from year to year. How have you managed to continually make the necessary adjustments that have allowed you to be so successful up to this point?
A.) In one word, Consistency! Consistency ha
s been a key factor in my ability to improve from year to year. I am able to critique my physique and listen to the advice given to make the necessary improvements that I need to continue to climb the ladder of success! Along with that I have had a custom program designed for my physique by both Justin Dees and Kim Oddo, and collectively we have been able to put together the necessary meal plan, weight training program, supplementation and cardio prescription to dial me into shows and build in the off-season on the areas that need improvement. Without objective criticism we cannot grow. It drives me to push harder and gives me the confidence I need every time I step on stage!
Q.) You carried the momentum from a great 2012 contest season right into 2013 with a 2nd place finish at the Arnold Classic and a win at the IFBB California Governors Cup Pro Figure. What changes did you make coming into 2012 that allowed you to make such great improvements and really vault yourself into one of the top competitors in the sport?
A.) Thank you again for such a great question! One of the changes I made was to add muscle back on and bring a fuller physique to first the 2013 Arnold Classic, then keeping that momentum into the IFBB Governor's Cup. This was collaboration between Kim Oddo and Justin Dees from the feedback given to me by the judges after 2012 Olympia. The IFBB judges felt that I had lost a little too much muscle and needed that fullness to move up the ranks. By training heavier, having Justin push me in the gym and Kim critiquing my photos week to week I was able to make the necessary improvements to accomplish a career best, placing 2nd at the Ms. Figure International. It is so fun to have a team that wants what’s best for my physique, internally and externally and I am so grateful for Justin and Kim and all they do for me! I believe more women need to make sure their emotional and mental health is just as on point as their physical internal and external health when competing. Having a healthy and clear mind will give you the confidence you need on stage!!
Q.) At last year's Olympia you brought arguably your all time best to stage and managed to walk away with 4th place. What would it mean to you to be able to crack the top three this year?
A.) It would mean the world to me to be in the Top 3 at the Olympia, and honestly that is the goal! I believe I still have improvements I can make to really shock the judges again! The Olympia title is a life accomplishment I am striving for and every workout from this point on will be with that in my mind! I understand now more than ever that you need to believe that you can accomplish that before you ever will, so as I physically prepare for the 2013 Olympia stage, my mental focus and belief will be just as important... Driving myself to become the all time best athlete that I have ever been gives me the chills to think about and makes me excited to wake up every day happy and focused!
Q.) Although you've come so far already, as a competitor, where do you feel you need to improve to push yourself over the top and possibly into contention to win your first Olympia?
A.) I believe the imp
rovements I can make would be continuing to build my hamstrings, calves, abs and maybe even a little more upper body while keeping my waistline down and having the dramatic "V" taper that is esthetically pleasing to the Judges. Keeping a streamlined physique is always key to winning the judges over and with outside eyes, analyzing my improvements and making adjustments accordingly will help me achieve this goal! I look to Justin, Kim and JM Manion, my manager, to consistently view pictures of my progress. It is so hard to be objective when analyzing myself. We are all our own worst critics so having the support of a team that knows what is necessary is key! Also, I need to master my nerves! I love the stage so it baffles me that I ever get nervous, but occasionally I do. I WILL have this mastered though by the 2013 Olympia prejudging! :) Nerves can play a positive, important part to contest prep as well! It can drive me to want to be better and never just be complacent in my physique! I will use it to push me through these next 25 weeks and show up to shock the judges once again!
Q.) When's the next time fans can plan to see you onstage again?
A.) The 2013 Olympia stage is where fans can see me next! I am taking the necessary off-season to make adjustments and improvements to my physique! I want to show up to the Olympia with a fresh, rested physique and give myself time to come in better than ever seen before! The hardest thing as a competitor, especially when it comes to winning, is knowing when to shut it down. My body does get tired and response will get harder if I don't listen to the advice given to me by Kim Oddo, Justin Dees, the judges and my manager! I would do a lot more shows if it didn't take away from my ultimate goal and that is to strive for that Olympia Title... So 25 weeks will fly by and since I am already qualified and entered, look out Vegas, Here I COME!
Heather has approached her 2013 contest season with a relentless passion to prove that her 4th place finish at the Olympia was just the tip of the iceberg for a blossoming career. Now that she has a win and a 2nd place finish at the Arnold Classic already in the books for this year, Heather has set her sights on Vegas, and is more determined than ever to lay claim to the crown of Ms. Figure Olympia. The competition has been warned.
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