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Spotlight On IFBB Women’s Physique Pro: Joele Smith
Category you compete in: IFBB Women’s Physique Pro
Date of birth: September 12, 1980
Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS
Career: Pursuing a career in fitness, Registered Nurse (currently not employed), mom
Competition history:
2011 NPC Nationals-Women’s Physique Class C, 1st place (earned pro card)
2011 NPC Southern Classic-Figure Class F, 1st place
2011 NPC Jr USA-Figure Class F
2010 NPC Eastern USA-Figure Class C
2010 NPC Southern Classic-Figure Class D, 5th place
2010 NPC Steel World-Figure 1st place overall
Next competition: My next competition will be my first time on the pro stage! I am so excited!! I am currently considering my next competition to be either the IFBB Pro Grand Prix in Culver City, California on April 14, 2012 or the IFBB Europa Show of Champions in Orlando, FL on April 28, 2012. Mapping out a plan for 2012 as we speak.
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal? Motivation and confidence are everything when aiming to reach a goal. If one has a goal but no motivation to achieve that goal, then only failure has been achieved. I personally think a goal should be set then a game plan should be devised to clearly map out what steps must be taken to achieve success. There must be an internal drive and hunger for accomplishment. One must start with a dream then have the confidence to go for it, and believe that dream is attainable. Confidence must be deeply rooted so that when adversity strikes, because it will strike, one can learn from it and bounce back even stronger than before. Someone very close to me is constantly reminding me to “never be afraid to fail”. If one doesn’t even try, then one has sentenced oneself to failure.
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? Some people are blessed with great natural ability when they come into this world and can be successful with very little work; they simply have always been naturally good at everything and have never had to work hard. Others, however, lack natural talent but work harder than everyone else thus earning their success by diligence. But they are sometimes limited due to lack of natural ability because let’s just face it, there are some things that cannot be taught. Then there are the few that possess & realize the power of both. In order to reach the proverbial “top”, I think one must have both. Anyone that is going to be extraordinarily successful must possess a “good foundation” or natural ability but also have the understanding of what hard work can potentially do for that natural ability. People that are at the top usually have that innate ability, but they work like they have none.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? One that has worked in the past…losing! I don’t recommend it, but losing can sometimes do some good. When I don’t place well at a contest because I’m not at my personal best, I have an insane drive to get my butt in gear and really bring it to the next contest. Losing has a way of opening my eyes to my weaknesses and motivates me to make the necessary adjustments. Also, knowing that I am an influence for my daughter and stepsons motivates me to be the best that I can be and set a good example for them. I want to show them that hard work and persistence results in success.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? Confidence is a funny thing; it’s one of those things that if you don’t use it, you lose it. It is also hard to keep confidence balanced so as to avoid being arrogant and boastful or being a doormat with zero self-esteem. With just enough confidence, anything is possible, but with too little or too much, nothing worthy is feasible. I think I gain some of my confidence from my natural desire to win. I enjoy competition, and I like to succeed. I love to achieve a goal & feel the satisfaction of knowing I earned it. Having confidence has helped me earn a BS degree in Nursing, be a mother to my daughter, and get on stage for a contest thus earning my pro card.
What do you find the most challenging about competing? Competing is challenging in so many ways; it is one of the hardest things I have ever done. The dedication and commitment is astounding. Without a doubt, the most difficult part of competing for me is that dirty four letter word…diet! No one knows what hard is until having had the pleasure of being on a competition diet, especially those low carb days! Even though the diet is a crucial component to competing, it is by far the worst. Not only do I have to skip dessert and specially prepare my own food, but I have a family to feed as well. So many times I have to sit with my little plate of lettuce and grilled chicken and watch my loved ones throw down on fried chicken and french fries doused with salt and ketchup! But in the end, I’m always glad that I’ve been loyal to my diet because it absolutely pays off!
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
1. Knowledge: Know who you are, what you care about & what you want.
2. Desire: Set an attainable goal based on who you are, what you care about & what you want.
3. Plan: Devise a plan to reach that goal. List the steps.
4. Execute: Give nothing less than 100%. Work hard & stay the course. Do the things that seem too hard or that you don’t like to do. Usually, the one thing you dislike or don’t want to do is the one thing that will make the difference between success and failure. Be persistent.
5. Achieve: Attain the goal with grace & humility. Remember where you came from and how you got to the finish line…there will be another mountain to climb soon.
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? Indisputably, without a doubt the best protein powder on the planet is Optimum Nutrition. I use the ON Gold Standard Whey Protein. I have tried so many, and this is hard to beat! I love that it is very easily digestible and it mixes so well. It does not hurt your stomach or cause bloating or a feeling of excessive fullness. It can be spoon stirred into any liquid and completely dissolves within seconds. Several flavors are offered, and they taste phenomenal. I LOVE it!
Favorite Inspirational Quote: When I’m struggling, my husband/trainer reminds me, “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? I have put so much time, sweat & effort into competing, but I can undoubtedly say that I would have never been this successful without the help of many people whom I love and respect. It takes a whole village to prepare someone for a competition. I would like to give a huge shout out to Doyle & Traci Beach for introducing me to the world of competing, teaching me how to pose & basically holding my hand through my first competition; John & Amanda Micka for helping me with diet/nutrition/posing & offering unwavering support; Angela Rayburn for always offering her assistance & sharing her knowledge of competing; Ryan Shook for incredible diet/nutritional advice; my husband, Randy Smith, for training me & putting up with me through thick & thin (literally!). He’s my number one fan, and I couldn’t do it without his support.
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