Spotlight On IFBB Physique Pro: Tish Shelton
Category you compete in: Women’s Physique
Date of birth: May 13, 1975
Hometown: Leakesville, MS
Career: Elementary School Teacher/Librarian K-12
Competition history:
• August 
29-31, 2013 IFBB North American Championships, Pittsburg, PA, 1st Place Open Physique and 1st Place Master’s Physique http://garyudit.com/event/2013-ifbb-north-american-championships/
• August 17, 2013 Physique National Qualifier Heart of Dixie, Mobile, AL – Overall Physique http://www.jasonsfitness.com/hod.htm
• 2013 Team Universe & Fitness National Championships in Teaneck, NJ – Figure Class A
• 2013 NPC Panhandle Showdown in Pensacola, FL – 1st Place Figure Class A
• 2009 NPC Coastal USA Bodybuilding-Figure-Bikini-Physique Championships, Atlanta, GA - Figure Class A
• April 4, 2009 NPC Panhandle Showdown Figure, Fitness & Bikini Championships, Pensacola, FL- Figure Class A
Next competition: May 9, 2014 Europa Games Get Fit & Sports Expo in Dallas, TX http://www.europaexpo.com/
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal? You have to have motivation to have confidence. Somewhere between motivation and confidence would be COURAGE. You have to be motivated to reach the goal. You have to have the courage to try. Confidence comes when you believe you will succeed. Your confidence will show onstage when you have given it all you have got to get to that point. Like when someone asks to see your biceps, and instead of showing the little bump on your arm, you spread out and strike a “front double-bi” pose with little or no thought.
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? Conditioning my body is the hardest part for me and that takes HARD WORK! I start my competition diet on Jan.1st each year. Then I get on the “real” diet about mid-way through February…which means throwing out my hidden extra jar of Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter. Many days I struggle to get out of bed at 5:30 and stumble around to the treadmill. Juggling my own kids with their sports is a real challenge too. I have gone to my son’s baseball games and made laps around the field he is playing on so I could get it all in.
Now, I believe there are more people out there that have good genetics to compete but without the “drive” it takes to do it. As a teenager, I wanted to be a bodybuilder and I carried that dream around with me for a while before I really tapped into it.
Great people in my life convinced me of my natural ability and that has given me the drive to work hard.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? Um, let’s see….the little voice in my head says…Nothing is going to taste as good as I will look on stage… MUSIC motivates me tremendously while I am working out. I have got to have my tunes. I will pout and walk out of the gym if I don’t! PLAN ahead to meet somebody at the gym doing the same things as you. You won’t want to let them down by not showing up. I also hold myself accountable by sending off my registration forms early and means that I can’t fail. Failing or quitting is never an option.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? I always keep a positive attitude and have this inner drive to succeed.
What do you find the most challenging about competing? The dang DIET! Geez, tell anybody they have to go for weeks and weeks on broccoli and chicken as your main staple of food! The plain sweet potato starts looking like a cupcake after abo
ut 10 weeks…..
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
1) ESTABLISH A GOAL
2) FOLLOW THROUGH WITH YOUR COMMITMENTS
3) DO YOUR HOMEWORK, STUDY THE BEST IN THE BIZ and then INDIVIDUALIZE YOURSELF
4) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
5) SUROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO KNOW MORE THAN YOU
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? Safely Slim Vanilla Ice Cream Casein. It tastes yummy and great for baking and/or cooking. I make up all kinds of goodies with it and added stevia. I use it as creamer for my coffee too.
Favorite Inspirational Quote:
Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity………..To seize everything you ever wanted. One moment……
Would you capture it…….or just let it slip?
By Eminem “Lose Yourself”
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? My husband Sam, who studies my sport, trains me, trains with me, poses with me, feeds me, makes me get some rest, doesn’t get mad when I overspend, and comforts me when I spazz out… Everybody needs a Sam!
Team FX, Chris Carter and Debbie Bramwell-Washington for the best diet and posing prep!
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