Fitness and Physique: An Exclusive Interview with IFBB Pro Carrie Simmons
IFBB Pro Carrie Simmons’ journey to the stage be
gan over twelve years ago when she first fell in love with bodybuilding. Despite earning her pro in Fitness at the NPC Team Universe in 2010, Carrie decided get her feet wet by dipping her toes into the waters of Women’s Physique last near. Now, as she prepares for her 2013 contest season, Carrie’s ready to make a big splash and prove her success last year was no fluke. Find out more about Carrie in this Rx Muscle exclusive interview.
Q.) For those who may be unfamiliar with who you are, you earned your pro card at the NPC Team Universe in 2010, but prior to that you'd already been competing at a high level for a number of years. What was it that initially drew you to the stage?
A.) I think it happened with me like it does with a lot of people. I was training at the gym and saw a few others around me competing and I wanted to give it a try. And, like a lot of us, I was instantly hooked! I’m a very competitive person by nature.
Q.) Although you earned your pro card as a fitness athlete, on the IFBB stage you've made the transition to physique. Why did you feel that you better suited for the physique division instead of figure where you'd already established a name for yourself?
A.) I didn’t necessarily feel I was better suited for Physique, but I wanted to give it a try. No one really knew what the judges were going to want – a bigger Figure girl? A s
caled down Bodybuilder? I know I fall in between so I said what the heck. The two shows I chose last year didn’t allow me to compete in any fitness competitions. I am not one of those girls who can compete twenty times a year. I just can’t between work and actually having a life! It wasn’t my intent to totally leave Fitness. I didn’t realize how limited the calendar of events would be this year for Fitness.
Q.) What type of changes did you have to make to your diet and training to facilitate the jump to physique?
A.)LMAO – ZERO. I have trained and dieted the same way for Bodybuilding, Fitness and Physique. I’m basic and old school.
Q.) We saw you onstage last at the 2012 New York Pro where you took 8th in a very competitive line up. Can we expect to see you onstage again in 2013? If so, what changes can fans expect to see from you this year?
A.) I’m hoping to bring a more refined package and hopefully tighter glutes! I’d say more developed calves, but I have a better chance of hitting the lottery :D
Q.) Away from the stage you manage a very successful career as a professional aerial acrobat. How did you come to be involved in aerial acrobatics?
A.) I started taking lessons from a lady who had a rig in her home when I lived in Philly. She eventually opened a training facility and I went there. I started performing at area events and nightclubs. When I came to LA I found a new facility, Kinetic Theory Circus Arts, and I trained there and became an instructor as well. I am not as active in performing as I’d like to be now because my REAL day job as a Creative Director, takes up a lot of that time.
Q.) Do your training and diet have any impact on your professional career?
A.) Actually, they impact each other. I have certain strengths from the gym a lot of aerialist don’t have, and I don’t look like many because of my physique. That’s good and bad when you’re trying to be cast in shows. Performing helps with competing in several ways. It helps with being confident on stage and giving the crowd an entertaining routine. Plus, if I’m doing hours of aerial practice, I can adjust my calories and eat more when I diet. When I was prepping for Team U the year before I got my card (my “return to fitness”) I was also performing in a show in LA. I was training so much that I was eating more than 3000 calories a day and still losing weight!
Q.) Some women may be interested in using their competitive career as a launch point to something greater on the professional level. Do you have any advice to give to women who may be interested, but just not sure how to market themselves using their physiques?
A.) That’s one I need to know the answer to for myself! I do a crappy job of marketing myself. But…
- Start a Facebook Athlete page. DON’T attach NPC or National Level to it if you’re hoping to turn pro. Facebook doesn’t allow the name change after a certain amount of fans.
- Twitter and the other social media outlets
- Get a web site. It doesn’t have to be crazy or co
mplicated. It just has to have a professional appearance.
- Get on the forums, but be careful here. ALWAYS try to conduct yourself professionally. If you want to be taken seriously don’t get caught in a bunch of internet arguing and BS
- Look into talent agencies. They’re everywhere in California, but other major cities have reputable ones as well.
- Be true to you and remember that for most of us (Pros included!) competing is a hobby. Have fun with it and be happy with the package you present.
Q.) If someone would like to get in contact with you for diet or training inquires how can they reach you?
A.) They can email me at [email protected]
With a year of Physique competition under her belt Carrie’s preparing to step on stage and prove she can be a serious threat to challenge for a top spot in every show she enters. Be sure to look for Carrie to shake up a few things on the IFBB stage this contest season.
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