Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: Angelica Nebbia
Category you compete in: IFBB Figure Pro
Date of birth: December 8, 1975
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Career: I am the Co-Founder & Chief Learning Officer of Sparkologee, an online micro-training platform.
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? Since I was a little girl, I have always been fascinated with (and I'll admit, a bit in love with) the Incredible Hulk. I was a huge Lou Ferrigno fan growing up, and still am. I think part of my fascination comes from the fact that I have always been so tiny (I'm barely 5' tall) and I had an immune deficiency as a child, so I was sick a lot of the time. Because of that, I never felt as strong or tough as the other kids. When David Banner would get angry and start to grow, his huge muscles popping out everywhere, I would get SO excited. I wanted to be able to do that too! Dedicating myself to this sport has actually given me a sense of that feeling.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport? As a child, I took multiple genres of dance, played field hockey, and was a cheerleader. I was even one of Bev and Steve's Weinberger's very first gym members at the age of 10, back in 1986 (it was Bev Francis World Champion Gym at the time). Then my family moved out of state in 1988, which was followed by some injuries and a surgery that had me out of commission for a while. During my 4 years of college, I didn't participate in many physical activities and I put on some weight. By the age of 22, I was diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism and weight fluctuations became a constant battle for the next 10 years. After several failed attempts at getting back into shape, a job promotion landed me back in NY where I connected with my trainer, Yvette Mariano (who, as it turns out, had been trained as a competitive bodybuilder by Bev Francis). Yvette convinced me that if I could get the weight off, I had a great foundation to work with for Figure. I was desperate to change my body so I took her word for it and we began a vigorous training regimen. She had me on stage within 4 months, where I placed 3rd in my first figure competition...and I was hooked! I hadn't been to the beach in almost 10 years because I was so self-conscious, so to walk out on stage wearing a posing suit and hold my head high with confidence, was exactly the motivational boost that I needed. That day changed my life and set me on a positive course of happiness.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto? I tried carb cycling once, and although it works great for some people, it didn't work for me. Everyone's body is unique and it's important to try different things and keep journals of exactly what you're doing (and of course the results) so that you know what works best for you. I was fortunate to have Kevin English join Yvette and I in my Team Universe contest prep, and Kevin took on the task of handling my diet and conditioning. After extensive talks with Yvette and me about my history, he put together a nutrition program that worked tremendously well for me. I eat 5 times per day and although is consists greatly of fish and asparagus, I also get grilled chicken, salad with several different greens, red potatoes, cream of wheat, berries for antioxidants, healthy fats like almonds and macadamia nut oil, and a lot of vitamins. And it is VERY specific down to the ounce/gram/time/order, etc. As contest time gets closer, a couple of things do get cut back and changed a little, but we do not drop my carbs completely. Kevin prefers that I do extra cardio if I am falling behind, rather than to deprive me of food and nutrients.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? I think the biggest misconception that people have about competing, is that it's all about who has the biggest muscles. That couldn't be further than the truth. I am often one of the smallest competitors and this will probably be even more so, now that I am a pro. But it's NOT about who has the biggest muscles. It's about which competitor presents their complete package the best on stage. I am always amazed when I am backstage and I hear one competitor ask another, "What are the poses again?" I don't understand how you can work so hard to achieve a great physique and then not do your homework on how to present it. It's like buying someone a beautiful gift from Tiffany's and wrapping it in a plastic grocery store bag. Presentation is everything! For weeks leading up to a competition, I spend literally hours studying photos and practicing my poses, walk, turns, eye contact, smile, hair, makeup - all of it! Every detail matters.
What is your most embarrassing childhood memory? I can't remember one specific memory that stands out above all the others, but I do know that I often felt embarrassed in gym class. As I said in a previous question, I was always the smallest, and combined with the fact that I was a year ahead in school and a little younger than my classmates, I was often the slowest and the weakest as well. I was fortunate that no one really made fun of me for it, but it was still embarrassing.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep? The biggest lesson that I have learned about myself during contest prep is how strong I am. And I don't mean physical strength. Every day of competition prep tests your willpower. It tests your drive, your ambition, and your determination to be your absolute best. Each day you are faced with decisions, many times pushing aside the more "fun" option, for the one that will bring you closer to becoming a champion. I have learned that a successful competitor's life is one of sacrifice, and in order to make those sacrifices and still keep a happy and positive attitude, takes great mental strength. Stepping on stage in front of hundreds of people, while covered by nothing more than a small piece of sparkly fabric, and turning 360 degrees so that you can be judged from every angle, takes great emotional strength. After 3 years and 10 competitions, I have learned that I am strong.
Who do you look up and admire and why? I have to say that I admire every single competitor that gets up on that stage. As anyone who has done it can attest to, it is NOT easy. I have even greater admiration for the people that I see in the gym who train like they are competing but who never get on stage and are just training with intensity because they love it - no prizes, no cameras, no notoriety, just a love of working hard and being their best every day. Those are the people who inspire me year-round. Additionally, I must say that I have the greatest admiration for my trainer Yvette. Three years ago, she made a promise to me that she would help me earn my IFBB pro card. Since that time she has put my needs before her own and has dedicated herself to helping me reach that goal. She is moving across the country at the end of the month, so Team Universe was our last competition together. We sure did go out with a bang! She is now handing me over to the amazing Kevin English to continue what we started, but I will forever be grateful to Yvette for seeing potential in me that I did not see in myself, and for helping me find happiness.
Competition history:
2011 Team Universe - Overall Winner
2010 Team Universe - 6th, Class A
2010 NJ Suburban - Overall Winner
2010 Metropolitans - 3rd, Class A
2009 Atlantic States - 2nd, Class A
2009 Long Island Championships - Overall Winner
2008 Easterns - 6th, Class A
2008 Brooklyn Grand Prix - 2nd, Class A
2008 Atlantic States - 10th, Class A
2008 Long Island - 3rd, Class A
Next competition:
2011 IFBB Hartford - Europa Battle of Champions
Favorite Motivational Quote:
My favorite motivational quote is actually the last thing that my Grandfather said to me before he passed away, just several weeks before Team Universe. He said, "Sweetie, there may be things I wouldn't do again, but I sure am glad I did them once." That quote and wonderful life-lesson will stick with me forever, and will no doubt shape some of the decisions that I make in the future. I suppose that I already had some of my Grandfather's wise, go-for-it attitude in me anyway, or I would never have started competing in the first place. Thank you Grandpa.
Who would you like to thank?
There are so many people that deserve a "thank you" from me, but I know we're dealing with limited space, so I'll thank a few that have played the biggest roles in my journey...Yvette Mariano, Kevin English, Bev Francis & Steve Weinberger, Joe Palumbo, Linda Wood-Hoyte, Dana Fallacara, Scott Mittelstaedt, Maggie Keaveny, Craig Sheflin, and Advanced Holistic Healthcare all deserve my recognition and appreciation. I owe a huge thank you to my parents and brother for being nothing but 100% supportive ever since I first approached them with the crazy idea of competing. And last, but definitely not least, I have to thank my husband-to-be, Roy McCullough, who proposed on stage at Team Universe. He is by my side 24/7 and helps me with literally everything, going above and beyond so that I can stay focused and bring my very best presentation to the stage. He is my biggest support and the love of my life. I'm very fortunate to have him and I try to remember to thank him every single day. If by some chance I forgot to thank him today, at least I know he'll read it here. 
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