Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight on IFBB Bikini Pro: Narmin Assria
Category you compete in: Bikini
Hometown: Chicago IL
Competition History:
NPC California Championships Bikini A 2nd Place
NPC USA Championships Bikini A 4th Place
NPC West Coast Classics Bikini A 1st Place
NPC USA Championships Bikini A 1st Place Pro card status
IFBB Titans Grand Prix Pro Debut 5th Place
IFBB Sacramento Pro 6th Place
IFBB Desert Muscle Classic Bikini Pro 2nd Place
Next Competition: Muscle Contest Pro Bikini Championships March 10th
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
Motivation and confidence is a must! When trying to accomplish a goal I find the most important thing is confidence! You must believe in yourself and have the confidence to chase after what your goals, dreams, and passions are. Motivation drives my confidence, by surrounding myself with positive people that understand what I am doing and going through really helps. As we work hard together to achieve our goals, we silently push and support each other. I have great Angel sisters and an amazing Coach Kim Oddo that helps with this. No matter what the time frame is to achieving your goal, you can do anything you set your mind too. Whether it’s a big or small goal, being motivated and confident is key!
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top?
In order to reach the top, you definitely are balancing natural ability and hard work. Of course, a huge part to making it to the top is being consistent and dedicated to the diet and training needed. Someone like myself invests efforts into working with a someone who has a lot of knowledge in this area. My coach Kim Oddo and I are able to keep my hard work on the right path. I believe no matter what, you must have the time and focus to achieve the work necessary.
Where the natural ability is demonstrated in areas like your stage presence and being comfortable expressing your personality on stage. In Bikini, not everyone has the same natural ability or what we refer to as "swagga". This is an area that I love about the sport and am really good at it.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you?
My motivation is the results of all my hard work. My improvements from my training and clean eating is what keeps me going. I do work really late, so I have to ensure that my shopping is done, meals prepared, and clothes ready for training. Thankful for my mini electric grill!
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you achieve?
My confidence began to develop in high school as a dancer for 4 years. It was when I started stepping on stage and performing in front of others. This progressed on into modeling, my confidence continued to develop as I learned how to express different feelings and emotions. Being confident and comfortable to bring out different looks in my shoots. Currently, all of this has assisted in the confidence I have competing on stage in front of hundreds of people. I have overcome the fear of being in the spot light, and alone on stage. Not only are we alone for a moment, but you have to demonstrate your personality while having fun. Confidence is something that can keep growing, I get better and better every time.
What do you find the most challenging about competing?
The most challenging thing I find in competing is always staying focused and not getting distracted. It’s easy to get distracted by family and friends, especially the ones that don’t know what it is like to diet and train 6 days a week. Equally challenging is dating someone that doesn’t understand why I eat the way I do or why I carry my six pack cooler around with my meals in it.
Juggling a fitness lifestyle and a "normal" lifestyle is completely different. My life has changed since I have started competing, but in a good way. Its something you definitely have to give time to get use to it.
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