Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Womens Physique Competitor: Paula Hannah
Category you compete in: Started out in Figure then moved to WP and I love it!
Date of birth: 11/22/62 but I feel like I should have been born in 82’ LOL!
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Career: Corporate Paralegal
What is your favorite contest prep recipe? Mock pancake (egg and oats)
What part of your physique are you currently working on? Legs (ham/glute tie in)
What started you into the journey of competing?
I was alive but not living, breathing but not feeling, conscience but not aware. By May 2009, at the ripe age of 46 (will be 50 in November) I purposed in my heart to live, having survived a mentally abusive marriage of 10 yrs (dated 7 yrs prior), relocating to a city where I knew NO ONE compounded by single parenting, 2 yrs of unemployment, foreclose, repositions, depression, brokenness and despair only to come to the point in my life where I now stand, RENEWED.
I vaguely recall clothing myself in “green with envy” as a friend began taking actions to lose weight. I would often say to myself how much I wish it were me until one day I decided to no longer stand idly by but take matters into my own hands. I renewed my gym membership at the local commercial gym along with using the gym fully paid for at the office. I made sure to remove any and all excuses never would it be said that i did not have a place to work out or that I lacked time to do it. I later sacrificed owning a car to pay for a coach who has been instrumental in getting me ready to showcase my transformation (total weight lose 110lbs) on the stage first as a Figure competitor now Womans Physique competitor.
If you could compete in one other event (FBB, physique, figure, fitness, bikini) which would it be and why? FBB would be the event of choice. I enjoy the freedom of lifting without the fear of getting to large/muscular as I find it beautiful to watch how the body responds to weight training balanced with nutrition.
Why NPC: Considering that the sport found me having no prior knowledge of competitive bodybuilding and all the other events in the sport I attended The Arnold one year and connected with people I had met on BB.com many who were com
petitors in the NPC. I did do a show in the OCB federation but like the many choices of show to compete in which the NPC offers as well as the exposure.
What do you like best about competing? The fellowship while I do enjoy my prep…well somewhat... LOL and the time leading up to getting on stage. (tanning, makeup, hair, suit fitting...the works) The camaraderie among the competitors is what I like the best.
What are your goals for the future? Aside from achieving pro status I would like to be a voice to countless of women who think that they have to settle for being unhealthy, mind or body. To dispel the excuse that they are either too old, lack motivation, or drive; that they don’t have the time resources or support. And while there may be truth in these things they are not to be used as tools to keep us from creating within ourselves the best possible person we can be…be it physical or mental.
Competition history:
NPC Monster Mash – Figure (Novice 8th/Masters 9th)
NPC Northern – Figure (Masters 2nd)
NPC North American – WP 4th (tall)
OCB – Figure (Masters 2nd /Open 1st (tall)/Novice 1st (tall)
NPC Nationals – WP (NP)
NPC Julie Palmer – WP 5th (tall)
NPC Jr. Nationals – WP 7th (tall)
Next competition: Undecide
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Hobbies:
Creating clean alternatives to food people swear they can’t live without; writting
What is a day in the life of Paula Hannah like?
I wake at 4:30 a.m. take bus at 5:00 a.m. to gym get cardio in, , bus back home by 7:00 a.m. get daughter feed and off to school, then I head out to work by 7:40 a.m. work full time then 4 days a week, at 5:00 p.m. I take bus to gym where coach is located for, resistance training from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. then bus home at 8:p.m. or coach drops me within walking distance to my home. Reach home no later than 8:30 p.m. then I give my daughter my full undivided attention (review homework/discuss her day/sign school papers/whatever she needs I am all hers. Get her to bed no later than 10:00 p.m. then any prep needed for the morning with the goal to get to bed no later than 11:30 p.m. And just like Ground Hogs day repeat do over. Saturday is packed with errands and/or games, daughter plays soccer I miss most during the week as they are during my work hours; add bus travel this makes a 20 task a 90 minute task. Sunday, church then the balance of the day is prep for the week, cooking enough food for up to 14 days for as much as 6 meals this ensures that my daughter has healthy balanced meals without waiting for me to get home and this also allows any free time to be put to better use rather than spend it over stove.
I adopted the lifestyle of clean eating so when I’m not competing I’m able to maintain healthy weight, ward off obesity and other related health issues that are attributed to poor nutrition. Furthermore, by controlling what is in my kitchen I also combat child obesity, remove body image issues and impart life sustaining habits that will serve my daughter well when she’s no longer in my home.
What is your favorite contest prep supplement? Not sure that I have one.
Favorite Quote:
I don’t chase dreams I apprehend them…Me
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