Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: Natalie Rae Ariel
Category you compete in: Bodybuilding
Date of birth: July 25, 1979
Hometown: Born & Raised in Chicago, IL. Currently reside in South Haven, MI.
Career: national level bodybuilder.lol (kidding) I VERY recently resigned as a Cook County Correctional Officer because my fiancé and I moved to Michigan. I am waiting until my prep is finished to start looking for a job. In the meantime I am Personal Training.
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? Wonder Woman because she was a Princess of the Amazons. She was created as a "distinctly feminist role model whose mission was to bring the Amazon ideals of love, peace, and sexual equality to a world torn by the hatred of men." Her powers include superhuman strength, flight, super-speed, super-stamina, and super-agility. She is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and in the art of tactical warfare. She also possesses an animal-like cunning and a natural rapport with animals, which has in the past been presented as an actual ability to communicate with the animal kingdom. She uses her Lasso of Truth, which forces those bound by it to tell the truth, a pair of indestructible bracelets, a tiara which serves as a projectile.
Who wouldn't want to be THAT for a DAY??????? 
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
I didn't start competing in bodybuilding until 2009. Although I competed in Figure from 2005-2008, I would still say that it wasn't until I competed in Bodybuilding that I knew I LOVED this sport and that it would be a part of my life for as long as my body could handle it. 2009 was when I realized a dream. The prep was so much different for me and with the help of my fiancé (and guru), Nate Wolfe, I learned what my potential could be. Not as confident as I would like at times, I was unsure how I would REALLY do at the National level. Nate believed in me more than I believed in myself. Last year after placing 2nd at the USA's and 4th at North American's, I gained the confidence I needed to continue on with my dreams. What I love even more about this sport of ours is helping others. It motivates me even more when I am able to help someone achieve their fitness goals. I remember what it was like in the beginning for me. I didn't have anyone whom I trusted to go to for guidance. I like to be THAT ONE for others, and when they accomplish a goal, it makes me feel as though I've succeeded. I really believe in ‘paying it forward' in life.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
Carb cycling, which is the approach, my fiancé Nate Wolfe (prep guru), feels is best for my body. I just can't see myself without carbs! Even though low days get to be 25g a day by the last few weeks of prep, I still NEED carbs to stay sane! I can't live without my sweetener, sugar-free gum & diet pop!
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? Where do I start!?!!?!? Lol Well a lot of people who do NOT compete think so many things..."all I eat is chicken and egg whites", "I must run a lot!", "I must be super strong". Then there are people who do compete...there are so many people who are miserable when prepping, it SHOULDN'T be that way. You should enjoy this, or you will not be able to KEEP doing it. Also, so many NOVICE competitors think they are turning Pro WAY TOO soon. Lastly, I would say that DRUGS are a big misconception...like all competitors do is take drugs to look like we do...forget about the DISCIPLINE and HARDWORK!
What is your most embarrassing childhood memory? HMMMM, I can't really think of a SINGLE story, terrible right?!?!? Lol I guess it was getting called "crybaby" by my family all the time. I cried A LOT, for stupid stuff! The only other ‘embarrassing' thing I can think of is being IN LOVE with Corey Haim and NKOTB, and fighting over magazine posters with my sister all the time...and of course, always crying over it! That's pretty embarrassing to me now.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep? That I have a LOVE for this game. That if I work hard enough, I can accomplish my goals/dreams. I was able to find BELIEF in MYSELF through God and with Nate by my side.
Who do you look up and admire and why? My parents. They have taught me the meaning of LOVE & COMMITMENT. My sister, by her example, I can only hope to be a mother as good as her one day. Nate, for being the MOST SELFLESS person I know.
Competition history:
2005 NPC Mid-West Ironman,3rd Place,Figure Tall
2006 NPC Mid-Illinois Bodybuilding,Fitness,& Figure Championships,4th Place,Figure Tall
NPC Illinois State Bodybuilding,Fitness, & Figure Championships,4th Place,Tall Class
NPC Junior National's,16th Place(NP),Figure Class D
2007 NPC Junior USA's,12th Place,Figure Class F
NPC Junior National's,15th Place,Figure Class F
2009 NPC Western Michigan Bodybuilding,Figure,& Bikini Championships,1st Place Open Middle Weight & OVERALL
NPC Mid-West Ironman,1st Place Open Middle Weight,OVERALL,& MOST SYMMETRICAL
2010 NPC USA's,2nd Place Open Light Heavyweight
IFBB North American Championships,4th Place Open Light Heavyweight
Next competition: 2011 IFBB North American's
Favorite Motivational Quote: I have 2
"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences."
- Chris McCandless(thank you JDSJ)
"People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway."
- Mother Teresa
Who would you like to thank? You & RX J for this opportunity. Nate Wolfe, my fiancé/prep guru/best friend/training partner/life partner/my EVERYTHING...for putting up with me EVERYDAY and for making me realize this dream of mine. My FAMILY, without their love and support, I would not be able to do this. My FRIENDS for their continued support. The fellow Officers I left behind at Cook County Dept. of Corrections...their SUPPORT kept me MOTIVATED to push harder every day, I will never forget it! God, because, without Him, all of this would not be possible.
My personal website: www.natalieraeariel.com
My business website: http://nspirept.yolasite.com
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