Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: Kim De Arcangelis
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: 08/26/1974
Hometown: Orlando
Career: Attorney
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? Kim Possible of course! If I am being honest, I don’t know too much about female super heroes, so when I looked up a few of them all I needed to read was that she is a freelance crime fighter/secret agent named Kim…need I say more? Well, then I read the “Personality” section about her on Wikipedia and couldn’t help but laugh out loud as I am sure anyone who knows me will also do after reading this excerpt about her:
“Her competitive nature and drive for perfection, as well as some of her insecurities, are consistent with a Type A Personality. They also lead her to set high standards for herself, and sometimes give her a tendency to be bossy and to set standards for others that are too high.”
All in all, she is athletic, smart and fights crime…..sounds like a good day to me!
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport? I have always been into working out, but my style of working out never really changed over the years, so my physique was at a standstill. I had zero knowledge of the bikini division until Zeudy Mars, my good friend and owner/workout clothing designer for Fit Activewear, started to train for the Orlando NPC Europa 2010. I went to watch her compete and was just blown away by her physique and the other competitor’s physiques and instantly thought, “I want to look like that!” I joined Team Bombshell and won the overall in my 1st show, the Dexter Jackson Classic NPC 2010, and was instantly hooked.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto? Despite what others may suspect or believe, I don’t carb load/deplete, take water pills and diuretics, etc. I eat 6-7 low carb, high protein meals per day and limit my cheat meals to only once per week. If I do not have a show coming up, I may throw in an extra cheat meal here or there, but for the most part, even my cheat meals are relatively healthy. I think because I started eating healthy at a very young age, I actually enjoy healthy foods over the more unhealthy foods…..but don’t get me wrong, I do like to indulge in life’s guilty pleasures on occasion. Wink wink:)
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? That all competitors are all looks and no brains. There have been many occasions when someone will find out that I am an attorney, then with no shame and right in front of me, say with disbelief, “Really?” or make a face like they just cannot believe it. I don’t think they realize how insulting that can be…or should I say, could be…I personally find it pretty funny and think to myself, now which one of us is the ignorant one?
What is your most embarrassing childhood memory? Hmmm….where do I begin?? One memory that was both painful and embarrassing occurred when I was in elementary school one Halloween. I don’t recall which costume I was wearing at the time, but I am sure it was hideous and embarrassing in and of itself. We were making caramel apples in the classroom that day. We were given very specific instructions to make sure that the other person removed their apple with hot dripping caramel before putting ours into the pan of hot caramel. Impatient me, puts my apple in anyway, when suddenly hot caramel dripped all over my fingers. This sent me into a screaming, crying, lap of sprints around the classroom while dressed in a costume. Traumatic!
Now that I am older, I embrace my embarrassing moments. I love telling people about them because they usually make other people laugh, which is one of my favorite things to do. This is a true instance when our pain is someone else’s pleasure.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
I learned that in order to do well in this sport, I personally, need to have FUN. Jr. Nationals is a prime example of how I can let my head get in the way. I was stressed out, mad about my tan, thinking negatively about other things and this was the worst that I ever did in a show. I used to enjoy the experience and not put so much emphasis on the win, but rather on the sense of accomplishment, no matter what the outcome. I had to look back on that experience and my prior experiences and then approached Masters Nationals with a whole different mindset. I had an absolute blast at that show, it showed on stage and now I have earned my admission into the IFBB!
Who do you look up to and admire and why?
My coach, Shannon Dey. This woman is my hero. She coaches SEVERAL girls and gives each and every one of us attention as if we are the only one on the team. She coaches a team, runs a business, writes for FitnessRX and is in school! She is inspiring and brings the best out of each and every one of us. I have always been into working out, but I have watched her take someone from their very 1st workout ever to winning their 1st competition. She is life changing and not many people can say that about themselves.
Competition history:
2010 Dexter Jackson Classic NPC overall winner.
2010 Coastal USA bikini class A 1st place
2010 Eastern USA 2nd open, masters 1st place
2010 North Americans 2nd open class A, masters A 1st
2010 Nationals 9th
2011 NPC Pitt open class B 7th, masters A 1st
2011 Jr. Nationals class B 11th
2011 Masters Nationals overall, earned pro card
Next competition:
IFBB Pro Florida Bikini 12/10/11. Pro Debut:)
Favorite Motivational Quote: The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.
Who would you like to thank?
My coaches Shannon Dey and Rob Rosetti.
My fiancé, Adrian Woods, for loving me even with all my imperfections, putting up with me during my hectic pre-show schedule and for helping me prep my food. Haha.
My firm, Hurley Rogner, for also being supportive and understanding throughout my competition journey.
Finally, my parents for instilling in me that I can do WHATEVER I set my mind to.
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
