Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Sumer Schantz
Category you 
compete in: Bikini Division
Date of birth: 8/29/1980
Hometown: Arvada, Colorado
Career: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Mom to 3 boys
What is your favorite contest prep recipe?
Many people always apologize to me when they here I am on a "diet". I find myself chuckling in my head because I do not think of it as a diet! Although when in "prep" mode for a competition my nutrition plan may be strict I have found so many ways to be creative and make my food more exciting! It is hard to narrow down my favorite prep recipe but the one I never seem to get enough of is chicken marinated in liquid smoke and then cooked till shredded in the crock pot. After it's shredded I am able to add different walden farm's dressing to make it taste even yummier!
What part of your physique are you currently working on?
I feel like I am always working on building a
stronger overall physique but if I had to pick one part I would say my shoulders. I have always had very muscular legs, but my shoulders seem to lean out very quickly so working towards building a stronger upper body to match my legs a bit more.
Name one piece of nutrition/fitness advice that has stuck with you.
Being a Virgo I tend to be a planner and often over analyze things. Best advice I ever received was to focus on the here and now. Competing has taught me that I have to focus on the current day and not worry about next week or next month. I constantly have to remind myself to take one day at a time and trust in the process! Now I always think if I can go to bed knowing that I was 100% dedicated to my family, followed my workout and diet 100% then I will sleep better.
If you could compete in one other event (FBB, physique, figure, fitness, bikini) which would it be and why?
If I could compete in one other event it would be figure. I am amazed by the definition figure competitors have and admire how they sculpt their bodies.
Why NPC:
When I first d
ecided to compete I really had no idea where to start. I began following the Colorado NPC page on Facebook and was so impressed with how everyone supported each other. It did not matter if the people posting were experienced or brand new to the competition world, everyone was so helpful. After competing in my first competition I knew this was an organization I wanted to continue to be a part of.
What do you like best about competing?
I love setting a goal and then knowing I put my all into reaching that goal. The feeling I get on the day of the actual show is hard to explain but it keeps me pushing and wanting to continue training to step on stage!
What are your goals for the future?
- I tend to over plan things….so I am work
ing on taking one step at a time. For the current time I want to continue to strive to train and improve my physique to bring a better overall package to the stage in May. My husband always knows that I have my next 5 steps in my head but I am working on keeping them there until the time comes to move to the next goal.
Competition history:
-2013 GNC Natural in Denver, Colorado (Placed 4th place Novice Bikini A and 4th place Bikini Open A
-2013 Met-Rx Rocky in Golden, Colorado (Placed 3rd place novice bikini A out of 20+) and 5th place in Open Bikini A out of 35+)
Next competition:
- The Mile High in Colorado May 31, 2014
Hobbies:
- Playing with my 3 boys, Obstacle mud runs with my husband, gardening, working out, reading and anything else outside.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years when it comes to competing?
- Do not compete for any other reason except to accomplish your own personal goal and because you want it with all your heart. If your competing to prove something to others or for the wrong reasons the experience will be hard. I remember when I went to check in for my first competition I could not stop 
smiling. I smiled from ear to ear during the entire check in process and the entire next day at the competition. I remember seeing so many people frowning or crying the day of the competition before we had even stepped on stage. That was when I realized I had made it to the stage for the right reasons and accomplished my own personal goal. It did not matter what the outcome was because I had already won just by making it to show day.
Favorite Quote:
"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.
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