Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Figure Competitor: Rebecca Mitchell
Category you compete in: Figure
Date of birth: April 17, 1985
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Career: Mortician and almost finished my ISSA Sports Nutrition Certificate :)
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why?
This might be a uncool one to pick, however, I have always had a affinity for wings. I would pick the archangel from x-men. The idea of flying through the air under the heart beat of your own wings sound exhilarating to me. Wings for a day? Yes please. :)
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
My fitness journey started with just wanting to stay firm. I first entered a gym while attending Villa Julie College and was quickly bitten by the iron bug. After I started doing my homework and reading everything I could to better myself on my own, my new body catapulted me into modeling and after a few years of struggle my first figure competition. In the beginning, I was not the most buffest gal of the beefcake bunch that I found myself surrounded by. My ectomorphic genetics made gains hard to come by and my lower body LOVED to store any kind of fat. Try as I might to gain muscle and lose fat, I was apparently fighting a losing battle. Efforts on my own had changed my body, but somehow now I was stuck out stranded on plateau I could not budge myself from. My efforts had me trying all the diets and workouts in the magazines, ate all the fat free yogurt and berries I could blended up with my crazy calorie protein powder all the while I thought were perfect for my goals. In 2010 I hired my first coach IFBB Fitness Pro Tracey Greenwood. Oh boy, was I wrong about just about EVERYTHING I thought I was doing right. After clearing up a insane amount of dietary issues (all of which I was lead to believe were HEALTHY ) Tracey and I started into my first cut diet and my journey to become a figure competitor within the NPC. In June 2010, after dieting for 20 weeks and going from the 150ish pound range of skinny fat I entered my very first contest as a figure competitor at 118lbs. Motivated and excited to rock my new body for the world, I found myself disappointed in the second call out. Unhappy with my placement but hungry, for more, I started an offseason plan to hopefully pack some more muscle on my tiny frame. Mid offseason, I kept hearing a name of another trainer currently handling the nutrition of a friend of a friend. Later that same week I heard this man's name a few more times and couldn't keep my curiousness at bay any longer. The name of that man was David Pulcinella. I made my appointment and was on board after probably his second sentence! Ready? Set? GO!!!! Fast forward 3 years later and I currently just stepped foot on my first national stage again
st almost 30 beautiful bodies and found myself in the top 15! Dave changed my mind, my body and renewed my spirit. I have been blessed with a true friend and confidant in this wonderful, life altering man.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
I am a huge carb cycling fan. Never in my life have I felt more like a human furnace than when I first started cycling my carbs! I would sit down to breakfast after my few consecutive low days to my eggs and oats and me rewarded with a STUPID pump for no reason. I don’t know about you, but I think veins are ten kinds of awesome and I LOVE mine. :) Currently, I cycle my carbs both on season for cuts as well as off season for growth.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing?
Holy moly where do I start? If I had to pick one out of the ten million out there, my personal favorite would have to be how they wish they could compete but are genetically predisposed to somehow have >>> insert problem area here <<< that is preventing them from ever accomplishing their goal of stepping on stage. That same sweaty betty can also be seen doing hours and hours of pointless cardio and maybe taking a kick boxing class or two (no offense to kickboxing ;) ) EVERY day and never seeing the change they so desperately want in their bodies. Your subscription to oxygen magazine is not going to be enough to change you body. To achieve change, you have to push yourself beyond that comfort level and tap into that little something extra you never knew you had. If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you! I have impingement syndrome in both my shoulders and lordosis of the spine. Once upon a time, I had a pretty bad case of cellulite I thought I was saddled with (literally) for the rest of my life. Than one day I had enough and admitted to myself that I clearly I was not doing all the right things and signed on with my first trainer. The fact of the matter is when you want it bad enough, you find a way, until than, you will find an excuse.
What is your most embarrassing childhood memory?
I once was caught checking myself out in the mirror sporting one of my mother’s brassieres with a pair of stuffed animals in the cups to fill out what I was lacking…Much to my dismay, there may or may not be photographic evidence of this….
Who do you look up and admire and why?
One person has stood by me through everything (and I mean everything). That person is my mother. I have never seen a woman wear more hats in a lifetime than my mother. She has been mother, friend, confidant, caregiver, therapist, personal seamstress, (and the list goes on). I cannot even find words big enough to express how much the firm grip of this every faithful, ever ready, constant and unchanging, tried and true, woman has shaped my life.
I LOVE YOU MOM!
Competition history:
2010 Tracey Greenwood Classic, Figure, 8th
2011 Delaware State, Bikini, 4th
2011 Maryland State, Figure, 1st
2011 East Coast Classic, Figure, 1st
2011 Maryland State, Figure, 1st
2012 Maryland State, Figure 1st
2012 East Coast Classic 2nd
2012 IFBB North American Championships, 15th
Next competition: to be determined….
Favorite Motivational Quote:
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strength. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. “
Arnold Schwarzenegger
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Dr. Seuss
Who would you like to thank?
I would like to thank my beautiful relentless mother for never stopping believing in me. My ever faithful friends and family (one beef stick gal in particular) who dealt with my redundant Tupperware life with patience and an encouraging smile (or laugh at my suffering beh
ind my back…who knows lol) Special thanks to my trainer, Dave Pulcinella, (WORLD’S BEST COACH! ) for not only listening to my carb depleted, half retarded competitor questions and building a body I never thought I would have, but for just being amazing and building a friendship that will last a lifetime. If you have not seen the documentary "Raising the Bar" WATCH IT!!! http://pulseadvancednutrition.com/
Through the success I achieved with Dave's guidance and a true love of the sport of body competitions I was offered a wonderful opportunity with an amazing company by the name of American Muscle Supply and am very proud to be a Sponsored athlete with American Muscle! HUGE Thanks for Frank Diaz and the amazing crew of American Muscle Supply. Finally, a big thank you to my official clothing sponsor Get Some Xtreme Wear Apparel!!! Larry and his lovely wife have been more than generous to our team at American Muscle and the group of athlete’s that Larry sponsors are some of the loveliest, hardest working people I know. GET SOME!!!! :) http://getsomextremewear.com/
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