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 Brooke Hameier
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: Dec. 15, 1986
Hometown: Grew up in New Jersey and now live in Houston, Texas
Career: Hair Stylist
Competition history:
Ronnie Coleman Classic 2011- 1st Place
Branch Warren Classic 2011- 1st Place and Overall
USA’s 2011- 1st Place and Pro Card earned
Next competition:
Pittsburgh Pro May 5th 2012
My 1st pro show and I can’t wait!!
How has your life changed since you adopted this lifestyle and started competing?
Life has definitely changed since I started competing. The biggest change was my diet. I never knew how to eat clean until I went to a nutritionist. I use to eat really bad, always skipped breakfast, ate snacks throughout the day and then had a big dinner at night. I’ve learned how important it is to eat small meals every 3 hours to fuel your body throughout the day with healthy clean food consisting of protein and complex carbs. It was a huge adjustment, but I notice such a difference in my body and it gives me more energy.
What have you found to be the best way to balance family, friends, career, this lifestyle, etc…
This was a tough one for me at first. I was working 2 jobs and going to school when I first started. I had a boyfriend, friends, family that were all use to me living a completely different lifestyle that I had to change. In the beginning I kind of started to isolate myself from everyone because training took 
up a lot of my time and I was trying to adjust to this new diet. For a while it was too hard to be around food and drinks that weren’t on my meal plan. I soon realized it wasn’t fair to seclude myself like this and if I wanted to keep this new lifestyle I had to figure out balance. I started prepping all my meals on Sunday so it gave me more time throughout the week for school and work. I did cardio in the morning and weights at night so I didn’t feel like I was in the gym every night for hours and I started allowing myself to go out with friends on occasion for birthdays etc. I made sure to either bring my meals with me or order healthy food at restaurants so I didn’t feel left out or miss a meal. My family and friends have always been very supportive. During holidays my mom always makes sure to cook something healthy that I can eat. They tend to try and hide all the goodies they keep at the house a little more too. I just have to remind myself that living this lifestyle is my choice and I love it.
If you could change places with one competitor for the day who would it be and why?
Hmm… that’s a tough one because there are so many great competitors. But I would have to say either Nathalia Melo or Amanda Latona. They both have the most amazing butts and I would love to see how they train legs! Lol! I can squat and lunge all day, but still haven’t been able to get such a perfect butt!
Name two of the most inspirational people in your life and tell why they inspire you.
I would have to say my family is the most inspirational people in my life. My Mom is such a hard worker, she has such a drive that sometimes I wish I had. It keeps her going all the time. She’s my best friend and I have always looked up to her. My Dad is probably one of the biggest reasons why I’m in this sport. I grew up with weights and workout equipment in the house and Muscle and Fitness magazines around at all times. He loves working out and fitness as much as I do, so it’s been really fun having him to talk to and help me along. It was awesome when both my parents came to one of my shows. Having their support means the world to me. My brother and sister are just as amazing, not sure what I would do without them. We are a very close family and each one inspires me every day in different ways.
Tell one recipe or supplement you can’t live without.
I would have to say protein powder! I have learned to do so much with protein powder… I make protein bars, mix it with Greek yogurt for pudding, add water and microwave it for a brownie, make protein pancakes. You name it, I try it! I have such a sweet tooth all the
time it really helps with it.
Tell about a typical training day for you. What exercises, how many sets/reps…etc…
A typical training day starts with 30-45 minutes of cardio in the morning. I normally like the stair master or walking incline on the treadmill. I do weights at night after work. I tend to have a lot more energy at night and I feel like I can lift heavier. I love working legs the most, so here’s what a typical leg day looks like for me. I train legs twice a week. One day heavy and one day light with higher reps.
Leg press (feet high and close together) - 4x20
Squats (feet apart w/ barbell) - 4x20
Smith machine squats (feet further out in front and close together) – 4x20
Walking Lunges with weight – 4x20
Step ups with weight- 4x20
Leg curls- 4x20
Jump lunges and pop squats- 4x30
Stiff leg dead lift- 4x20
I like to superset a lot of my exercises or do active rests in between. Depending on how far out from my show I might do some extra cardio at night. I tend to train 6 days a week with weights and 7 days a week cardio.
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
I would have to say my amazing boyfriend! He has really helped me and supported me throughout this whole proce
ss. He was new to this lifestyle as well and has been eating clean and working out right along with me. I’m really proud of him and I just want him to know how much I appreciate everything he has done for me! I know it hasn’t been easy!
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