Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: Rene' Marven
Category you compete in: Finally BODYBUILDING!! (started out in Figure...)
Date of birth: January 19, 1987
Hometown: Wappingers Falls, New York
What is your favorite contest prep recipe? After a while of eating plain Chicken and Fish I HAVE to change it up!!! I experimented with a few different herbs, baking the chicken/fish and my favorite has to be this combo: Parsley, Oregano, Garlic, and Red Onion. I pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees... Spray Olive oil onto a sheet of foil.... season fish or chicken and fold it up tight in the foil. Bake for 15-18 minutes! It comes out soooo good and makes my house smell like an Italian restaurant... really makes me feel like I'm not "on a diet"! Yum!
What part of your physique are you currently working on? I'm really working hard to get my legs and glutes contest ready! My goal is to lean out in those area's while trying to maintain my upper body size...
Name one piece of nutrition/fitness advice that has stuck with you. Following a blood type specific diet has really made a difference! Increased energy and decreased appetite makes training for a competition 100x better!
If you could compete in one other event (FBB, physique, figure, fitness, bikini) which would it be and why? I do have a background in Gymnastics and Cheerleading, but not all the skills necessary to enter FITNESS... If I had that talent, I would LOVE to perform a Fitness routine! Those girls are so much fun to watch and I give them so much credit for being able to train and diet just like a bodybuilder and ADD gymnastics classes on top of that!!!
Why NPC: I've always thought of the NPC as the top level of competition and opportunity. Back in 2007, when I started competing, I entered an INBF show for the simple fact that it was "the local show" everyone at my gym always entered and that was all I knew at the time. The INBF was a great stepping stone for me, I placed top 5 in every female division over the past 5 years. I always wanted to enter the NPC, it was just a matter of when... Recently, I have made friends who are involved with the NPC, photographers, competitors, fans, and have really encouraged me to enter now! I'll be entering the NPC Rhode Island competition along with my boyfriend, and two friends at the gym entering bodybuilding & bikini! I'm really looking forward to this new adventure!
What do you like best about competing? My absolute favorite part of competing is performing on stage! That is actually one of the main reasons I decided to switch from figure to bodybuilding. I worked as a cheerleading choreographer in college and have always had a creative nature... I feel completely at home on stage, and love every second im up there!
What are your goals for the future? My first goal is to have a great first showing in the NPC Rhode Island show. I just want to make a good first impression to the NPC and work to move up the ladder to the IFBB. I'd also like to expand my personal training/coaching business by opening up my own gym eventually!
Competition history:
2007 INBF NY State Championship 2nd place Figure
2007 INBF Monster Mash 3rd place Figure
2008 INBF Hercules International 6th place Figure 5th place Fit Body
2009 INBF NY State Championship 2nd place Figure, 3rd place Best Body, & 10th place Fit Body
2009 INBF Monster Mash 9th Figure, 8th Fit Body
2009 INBF World Championships 5th place Figure
2011 INBF NSSN 1st place Heavy Weight Open Bodybuilding, Overall Bodybuilding Winner, 5th place Open Figure, & Awarded Most Muscular female
2011 USBF Empire State Championship- 2nd place Open Bodybuilding
Next competition: NPC Rhode Island June 11, 2011 and NPC Hudson Valley Championships July 2, 2011
Hobbies: I really love working with my clients getting them to reach their goals. I especially enjoy working with those who are interested in competing. I love everything about this sport, as a competitor, coach, expeditor, even spectator! If I knew there was a show on a weekend and I had no other plans I would go just to watch! I'm sure you all get the point... LOL! I do have other hobbies besides training, dieting, and modeling. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling, eating new foods, shopping, MASSAGES, movies, going to the beach, gymnastics and just relaxing.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years when it comes to competing? The only way to achieve results is through strict training and dieting, and there are no short cuts. If you put in the work you can be successful!
What is your favorite contest prep supplement? This is a tough question!! There are many supplements that I love, but I'd have to go with Beta-Alanine as my favorite. Using Beta-Alanine helps me get the most out of every workout, with lots of extra energy and a sick pump! ;)
Favorite Quote: "Always train to compete... diet for a show" -Bill Young
Check out my website: www.renemarven.com
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
