Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On IFBB Bodybuilding Pro: Tina Chandler
Category you compete in: IFBB Women's Bodybuilding
Date of birth: 9-2-74
Hometown: Willis, TX
Career: Personal Trainer/Massage Therapist/Lifestyle Consultant
How does your family respond to your competing? My family is most supportive of my bodybuilding! I feel really fortunate to have such cooperation from them. My mother is the front runner of all that, being that she is open-minded and grounded about life itself. She really believes in nurturing your soul and growing as an individual. If this is my way of doing that, she says, "Go for it"! They have all had the opportunity to see how I've grown as a person and developed from my experiences in bodybuilding. These are the most important things, in my opinion!
What kind of goals have you set for yourself, short-term and long-term? My immediate short-term goals for this year at the Arnold coming up is to get first callout! I am determined to be at the top and goals are always a part of the process. My ultimate long-term goal is to get as high up on the ranks so that I may have a louder voice for the world to hear me. I would like to help change the lives of those in the world to gain charge of their own lives and bodies!
What's currently on your iPod? I have lots of different music choices in my iPod. Mostly, I like to listen to blues and jazz and R&B and conscious hip hop. I have some country in there, mostly from a friend here in Houston who is up and coming, Cooper Wade. My all time favorite artist is Anthony Hamilton, and he is mostly played! Most of my twitter followers know this about me. Lol.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of the bodybuilding world? I guess you could say a major hobby of mine is yoga and energy work--always trying to raise my vibration. I like crosswords and words with friends sometimes. Anything problem solving...including shows with crime solving and all. I like to go sailing from time to time too!
Do you have a favorite exercise? I don't really think I have an absolute favorite exercise, but I think what comes to mind are weighted dips. It's always been a strong lift for me. My favorite exercises are always the ones that are going to produce changes and positive results in my overall physique! Except biceps curls--that is one that is needed for my completion, but I still don't really like them...lol. I love squats and lunges and hack squats!
Contest History:
2011 – Ms Olympia, IFBB 10th
Tampa Pro, IFBB, 2nd
Ms International, IFBB, 8th
2010 – Ms Olympia, IFBB, 8th
Tampa Bay Pro, IFBB, 2nd
2009 – Olympia, IFBB, 10th
Tampa Bay Pro, IFBB, 3rd
2008 – New York Pro Championships, IFBB, 7th
2007 – Nationals, NPC, Middleweight, 1st
2006 – Nationals, NPC, Middleweight, 5th
USA Championships, NPC, middleweight, 1st
2005 – USA Championships, NPC, Middleweight, 2nd
2004 – SW Texas, Arlington, Texas, NPC, Novice Lightweight, 1st
Next competition:
Arnold Classic Ms International - March 2, 2012.
Favorite Fitness Tip:
"Connect with the muscle you are contracting and focus on its feeling"
Who would you like to thank? I would like to thank my family, most of all, for being so supportive of me in my quest. My mom has always been such a great leader for us and has always been able to pass on her wisdom and drive for life, and, for that, I am most grateful. She just wanted us to go for it and be the best us we could be! (referring to my two brothers and I) I'd like to thank my original coach and mentor, Johnnie West, who has gotten me this far! I am forever grateful! Most of all, I have thank all my loving friends and clients who are directly supportive with their time and understanding when I have demands of a competition. It truly takes a community to help boost me up on that stage!
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