Spotlight On: Shelly Albetta

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Published on Friday, 26 August 2011 21:08

Written by Shelly Albetta

Spotlight On: Shelly Albetta

Category you compete in: Figure

Date of birth: 11-3-82

Hometown: West Caldwell, NJ

Career: Sales rep/ account Manager for Hygrade Business Group. I sell print to mainly hospitals and other large corporations in NY and NJ.

Competition history:

2006-
Midatlantic- 5th place
Lehigh Valley- 2nd place

2007-
Tracey Greenwood- 4th
Bev Frances- 4th
Garden State- 2nd

2008-
Atlantic City Amateur- 1st
Ohio State BBing show- 1st

2009
North Americans- 12th
Team Universe- 8th

2010
Garden State- 1st place and OVERALL
Jr Nationals- 3rd place
Team universe- 8th place

2011-
Jr Nationals- 8th place
Team Universe- 2nd place EARNED PRO CARD!

Next competition: Haven’t decided yet! Going to take the rest of 2010 to focus on my wedding! Next year I will assess and make a definitive decision!

In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal? I think that just like with anything in life, you have got to WANT IT, in order to GET IT. One of the best lessons I have learned is that nothing comes easy, or for free. In order to be successful in any facet of your life, you must be persistent, patient, and never give up. Confidence goes hand in hand with success. You must believe in YOURSELF in order to reach your goals.

In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? In terms of competing? Well, I firmly believe that each of us was blessed with our own bodies, all of which are different. In my opinion, not everyone has the structure for competing, no matter how hard they work at it. So I feel that the majority of those who make it to the top, have a structure that has enabled them to get there. There are even some who turn pro at their first ever pro qualifier. I even know a few who never lifted a weight prior to that prep. Just as with anything, some are born with the genetics to rise to the top. Granted those competitors are few and far between, but still exist.

The majority of competitors I feel fall somewhere in the middle. They were given the canvas to work with, then work the rest of the way to the top. I fall into this category. I by no means was blessed with a muscular physique. Growing up I was skinny-fat, as some like to call it. I began competing 6 yrs ago, with NO MUSCLE at all. I always placed top 5 or better locally, because I was proportioned for the most part, just lacked the mature muscle I needed. So year after year I continued to train, eat correctly, and work on adding muscle to my 5’ 2.5” frame. I took my critiques show after show, and trained to improve my weak areas. I NEVER GAVE UP. Then. 2011 turned out to be my year. At my 15^th NPC show, my dreams came true, and I turned pro in the B CLASS at Team Universe. I ALWAYS hope for the best, but expect the worse. SO I was beyond ecstatic when I accomplished IFBB pro status. I feel I am a true testament to hard work, persistence, and dedication. And that’s why I urge people to never give up.

What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? What motivates me year after year, is to continually bring an improved physique to the stage. I want to be able to look back and physically SEE how I have become a better competitor, and improved from the year prior. 2011 was my 6^th year on stage, and I can confidently say that I have looked significantly better from one year to the next. THAT is what I strive for.

Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? My whole life I have been an over-achiever, and this has allowed me to accomplish mostly everything I have ever set my mind to. I know that nothing in life is out of my grasp. When I want to achieve something, I set my mind to it, and more importantly I do not give up until I get there. Confidence in myself plays a huge role in my accomplishments, because if I did not believe in myself, chances are no one else will either.

What do you find the most challenging about competing? As I get older, I feel the hardest part of competing is balance. I am a strong believer that the key to happiness in life is balance… so during prep I try to give it 100% without sacrificing the rest of my life. I refuse to let my career suffer, or friendships and relationships. Competing can be a very selfish sport. It takes a lot out of competitors physically and mentally, not to mention it is quite time consuming. Past years, when my prep officially started, I would hibernate from everyone and everything. It would be gym work, gym, food store, home, repeat—day in and day out. Looking back, I missed out on a lot of things. So now, I still prioritize competing, but won’t say NO to meeting up with a friend for coffee, or going to the movies, a BBQ, a party etc. It isn’t always easy to juggle it all, but I feel it is more fulfilling in the end.

What are your top 5 key strategies for success?

Dedication

Determination

Persistence

Confidence

Planning

What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? GASPARI Myofusion is my favorite protein! Its creamy and think and taste great as well!

Favorite Inspirational Quote:

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.
Nelson Mandela

In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?

I'd like to thanks my Fiance, Nicdk Freglette, for making Team Universe 2011 the most memorable, special, happiest day of my life. He also is my biggest fan, critic, and my rock. He pushes me to be the best ME I can be. I can’t wait to be his wife on Nov 19, 2011 :) Also I must give a shout out to my other half since the day I was born, Betsy Albetta-DiGiovanni… she is not only my twin sister, she is my bestest friend in this entire world. There is no bond, like that of a twin… and only she knows what I mean.:)

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