Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: IFBB Fitness Pro Ashley Sebera
Category you compete in: Fitness
Date of birth: 11/29/88
Hometown: Seven Hills, Ohio (Cleveland ROCKS)
Career: Fashion Merchandiser, Gymnastics Instructor
How does your family respond to your competing?
WOW! I’d have to say I would love to consider myself one of the luckiest ladies in the world when it comes to family and competing! My family supports my lifestyle COMPLETELY! I was a gymnast for many years and my father is very athletic and competitive as well. They see the drive and determination that this sport gives me and how I carry that positive vibe into different aspects of my life. I was always use to competing and giving my all to a sport, but when my gymnastics career ended due to injuries my family saw that there was no spark in my eye for anything in regards to being competitive or having a love for a sport. I found fitness and found the spark and passion for something that gave me the competitive edge I once had. It was totally hard to explain it to my family of what it entailed and how to break it down to them. I remember trying to describe it to my mother (god bless her but it takes me a little extra to explain things) and saying, “Fitness mom, ya know kind of like bodybuilding but scaled down and has a routine.” And she told me, “Ash I don’t really understand the difference between all the divisions, but I don’t think you will look good as a bodybuilder, you are too small.” When I started really getting into it and my body started to change, I saw a complete change in my family’s view of health and fitness. My parents started to clean up their diets and also started to work out. There are times where I do see myself get very selfish and cannot enjoy “family” time; play games, go to sporting events, dinner, or movies. I get very tired closer to shows where I find myself saying NO to things that they always try to include me in. Even after I decline plans, they are always there understanding why I don’t do things and constantly making sure I am ok. My sister actually is someone who I look up to and always is motivating me to go the extra mile and follow my dreams until they are accomplished. My mother totally understands the WORLD of competing now that she is like my little personal assistant at shows and really can describe it 100% better than before. I will never forget the times where I get nervous a week or two out and when I see my family they see this focused look on my face and know “Ash’s eye is on the prize.” A couple times, my father has brainstormed some amazing tricks to put in my routine and on Saturday mornings it would be our little family adventure to go to the gymnastics center and work on my routine as a family together. It puts my mind at ease to know that I have my family who 100% supports me and is proud of everything I do and will never leave my side! My healthy lifestyle, dreams, a
nd determination will always have the support of my family.
What kind of goals have you set for yourself, short-term and long-term?
When I first started my whole journey it was a short-term goal of just getting up on stage and developing that confidence of competing and feeling comfortable about myself. When I was up there for the first time at the Dave Liberman’s April show for Bikini, the stage was like my home; I loved it up there. I had then set a goal to transfer into fitness and just get on stage and try to regain all my skills back I once had from gymnastics. I put my routine together, competed in April, at Brent Jones Kentucky Derby. I was AMAZED on how this was what I loved to do. It was my PASSION; performing and also showing off a physique that took many months to accomplish. Then I stepped my game up and goaled myself to become IFBB PRO! Man-o-Man did I race down to Mike Davies and Julie Palmer and said, “Hey Mike and Julie, I love this sport, I want to take it to the next level and I am determined to get there and with your help and knowledge I know WE can do it!” They have been nothing but amazing people who have guided me to reach my GOAL of becoming PRO within a 3 month time period. I would drive 2 hrs one way once or twice a week to see them and they kept me on the straight and narrow to reach my dream and BAM! I achieved it! My long-term goals in competing are still being molded together! All I can say is that I will always shoot for the moon and if not the moon land among the stars! Olympia stage is where I can see myself in the near future and bringing back Fitness to where it once was! Inspiring people to live to the fullest and go for their dreams is something that I want to be known for! I never thought a year ago I would be here! Short term goals pave the way to long term goals which accomplish DREAMS that DO COME TRUE!
What's currently on your iPod?
I have different folders in my iPod for different events!!! I try to listen to my fitness routine music very often in a day to just run through the routine in my head, constantly thinking of different moves or tricks I can work into the routine! When I do my cardio EVERY morning (love, hate relationship) I put on a lot of House, Electronic dance remix music to get my blood flowing and WAKE Up!! I always find myself moving to the beats and REALLY it does speed you UP and pushes you further! When I train, I like to turn on a lot of Rock/Metal music; Disturb, Shinedown, Three days Grace, Marilynn Manson. I like to get a little rush by this music that feels like you can just tear things up! I really just cannot listen to Country music much!!
What are your hobbies and interests outside of the bodybuilding world?
I have a lot of hobbies outside of the bodybuilding world! I’d like to say that I’m not your average little girl! I am very adven
turous and love to take things to the limits (dare devil)! I have a need for speed; during the summer months I love going jet skiing. Also, you can find me at Cedar Point riding all the roller coasters for that adrenaline rush ;)! I also love to fish! I find it very relaxing after a hard day at work or training! My father got me into fishing and got me two PINK fishing poles (yes, pink because I really never thought I would enjoy fishing so he enticed me with those). I actually take the fish off the line myself!! I have also started to pick up golf with my new pink clubs, but I’m not very good at it yet! I LOVE gymnastics and find myself playing in the gymnastics center I coach (United Force of Ohio) about 3x a week trying new skills and skills I once had on all the equipment. I love to run the trails and stairs outdoors. And of course your average girl things, shopping, nails, and DANCING! Yes I have a shopping addiction; BAD, I go through different “item phases” ! One thing that I will be doing is sky diving and I CANNOT WAIT! LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!
Do you have a favorite exercise?
In fitness, I like to incorporate a lot of acrobatics, plyo’s, and strength holds into my weight training. While doing arms, I will do a tricep set right into a pike hold to really feel the muscle group working and will make it easier while doing the hold in the routine. While training shoulders, I will super-set an exercise with presses to handstands working the shoulder flexibility and strength. Training legs, there are plyo exercises that I also super-set with to keep my heart rate up and endurance high! Chest, I usually throw in a lot of push up series that will be in my routine, one arm push-ups, and pop push-ups. I really do not have a favorite exercise, but love to always try new things!
Competition history:
NPC Bikini
NPC Natural Ohio (National Physique Committee) April 2011 Bikini – 1st Place Champion
Mike Francois NPC Contest- May 14th 2011- 8th out of 23
NPC/IFBB North American Sept 2011- 16th Bikini
NPC Natural Ohio October 2011-3rd Place Bikini
NPC Fitness
NPC Kentucky Derby Classic April 28 2012- 1st/Overall Fitness Winner
NPC/IFBB Pittsburgh Championship May 2012- 3rd Place Fitness
NPC Jr. USA’s Charlestown SC May 2012- 6th Place Short Class Fitness
NPC Julie Palmer Dayton Ohio June 2012- 2nd place figure, 1
st/Overall Fitness
NPC Jr. Nationals Chicago June 2012- 3rd Place Fitness Med. Class
NPC Team Universe/ Fitness Nationals- Earned IFBB Pro Card Fitness Med. Class
Next competition:
My Pro debut will possibly be the Dec 8-9th Miami Show or early spring. I have not planned anything quite yet! I really want to make some amazing improvements and brainstorming on routine themes, music, and costumes! It is so much fun planning a show for fitness, but also very very time consuming. I will be guest performing at some shows so that will keep me motivated and excited to compete again! I really want to come out with a WOW factor routine, so if anyone has any suggestions, I am all ears!
Favorite Fitness Tip:
STICK to the PLAN, follow your DREAMS, and NEVER give up! You control your own destiny! Remember the moment you step on stage, it is your time to shine! You are a winner for following through and making it up there! Remember, while in the middle of competition prep that every rep, set, session matters! Do not leave any “what if”, “I shouldn’t have ate that”, or “If I would have” … Do everything you can so when you get up there you know you did your best and will not regret anything!
Who would you like to thank?
O Geeze! First, I would like to thank God! He has given me every tool and a life to live to achieve my goals! On days I seem to be upset or angry at something, I look around and think people have it worse! I thank God everyday when I wake up for another day of being alive and knowing I can do what I love to do! Second, My family who has supported me every second of the way! Mike Davies and the fitness factory family! Mike is not only an AMAZING trainer, he is someone who I look up too and has instilled many values and guided me through this experience! Always encouraging me, pushing me to my fullest potential, and always proud in any accomplishment I make! Mike and Julie have always made me feel like I can do whatever I put my mind too! Thank you Mike and Julie! My good friend, Sarah Block who opened my eyes into the competition world as she pushed me to follow my dreams and get up on that stage when I never thought I could. Lastly, my best friend IFBB Pro Amanda Hatfield! Amanda a
nd I are inseparable! We are two peas in a pod! She has stuck by my side showing me the ropes and a true role model! I have never met someone who has shared similar thoughts and interest!! It is really scary to the people who know us and how INDENTICAL we are to one another! We feed off each other, always pushing one another to strive for the best! I remember she was out of town for a week and I was in the gym like a lost puppy and people knew I was missing my side kick! It is rare we go 24-48 hrs without seeing one another. That friendship we have developed will never die! Quick shout outs to: United Force of Ohio (Gymnastics center) FULL OUT music Productions, Joe Mazzone ( big brother, Owner of Powerhouse Gym) and Last my friends and Fans, THANK YOU ALL FOR BELIEVEING IN ME!! You make me proud and I hope to always make you proud in return!
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