Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: Heather Dees
Category you Compete in: IFBB Figure
Date of Birth: September 18, 1983
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT
Career: I am a Master Esthetician and Cosmetologist, but my career is transitioning to being a part of the health and fitness world in my community and competing in the IFBB
Sports background: I was an athletic child, playing random recreational sports, but nothing ever really stuck till I found my true passion, which is figure competitions. That all started when I was 24 years old.
Why NPC: I met my first (and only) trainer who is now my husband, right before I turned 24 years old. He had been in the industry since he was 18 years old and I just went with what he recommended. He was known in Utah as the go to guy for any type of competition prep. and had also transformed so many peoples physiques!
What do you like best about competing? I love watching the transformation of my physique. I used to be chubby and have zero muscle definition. I had no idea that you could actually grow your muscles with proper training and nutrition. Every time I looked in magazines I just thought people were born that way, with awesome abs and shapely legs. One of my most favorite parts of competing is the weight training. Every day I push myself to lift heavier, while maintaining proper form and if my husband isn't training me, the first thing I do is call him and tell him how my workout went. Most recently, I increased my single arm dumbbell row to a new all time high, rowing 70 lb. dumbbells for 8-10 reps. People at the gym stare at me like I'm crazy and its motivating!
Competition history:
March 2008: NPC Utah Classic: Overall Winner
November 2008: NPC Nationals Atlanta: 10th place Class D
July 2009: NPC USA's Vegas: 10th Place Class D
March 2010: NPC Utah Classic: Overall Winner
May 2010: NPC California State Championships: Overall Winner
June 2010: NPC Junior Nationals Chicago: 6th Place Class D
July 2010: NPC USA's Vegas: 5th Place Class D
October 2010: NPC Nationals Atlanta: 1st Place Class D (earned Pro card)
Next Competition: IFBB Pittsburgh Pro May 7, 2011 and right after I plan on doing the IFBB New York Pro May 28th.
Competitors you look up to: I look up to so many competitors in every category of the sport, Men and Women's Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure and Bikini! There is so much that goes into competing that I applaud all that do it. If I could chose one who really stuck out in the figure division, when I first started it would be Gina Aliotti (Silva). Her physique is incredible and after I was able to meet with her in California to get more coaching on my posing and stage presence, I looked up to her even more. She is so down to earth and nice. I was intimidated to meet her, but I felt immediately relaxed after our first conversation. She has accomplished so much and stayed so real. Shout out to her for greatly improving my posing and stage presence. It is a huge aspect of competing and I am sure what helped me to accomplish my goal in turning pro. I also really look up to my husband Justin Dees. He is a National Level Competitive Bodybuilder in the NPC and has inspired me to take this sport as far as I can. He has transformed my physique to a level I never imagined achievable and has always been in my corner supporting me. I feel he has taken a back seat with his competitions. He has an amazing physique at 5'51/2'' competing as a heavy weight at his last show and I can't wait to see him compete again at USA's this July.
Favorite Cheat Food: dark dark dark chocolate! I also really crave bananas with almond butter when I can't have it!
Favorite Diet Food: Eeither egg white and oatmeal pancakes or baked cold sweet potatoes with truvia on top! Mmmmm!
Favorite Body Part to train: Quads currently! It varies from month to month... As I get stronger I get a thrill out of stacking the plates!
Least favorite body part to train: Abs I guess, its hard because I really feel like that is an area I need to improve, so since I'm weaker with my abs it frustrates me. lol!
Hobbies: Going to animated movies with my 4 step-children and hubby. Cooking new healthy recipes. Playing with my two cute Chihuahuas, (Hercules and Bella). Laying out by a pool. Although I don't do it much I love all water sports. Oh, also snowboarding!
Words to live by: "The Will to Win is Nothing, without the Will to Prepare to Win!" - Zig Ziglar
"Hope sees the Invisible, Feels the Intangible, and acheives the Impossible." - Helen Keller
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