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Published on Thursday, 18 October 2012 21:41
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Written by Amanda Latona
Spotlight On IFBB Bikini Pro: Amanda Latona
Category you compete in: IFB
B Pro Bikini
Date of birth: MARCH 24
Hometown: Pittsburgh,PA. Residing In Las Vegas
Career: Sponsored Athlete, Competitor, Fitness Model, TV HOST, Spokesperson
Competition history: 1st place-Dallas Europa Pro Bikini '10 1st place -Sacramento Pro '10 1st Place-MuscleContest '11 1st Place-Titans Grand Prix '11 1st Place- Sacramento Pro '11 5th place Bikini Olympia '10 6th Place Bikini International '11 1st Place Flex Bikini Model Search Championships '09
Next competition: Sacramento Pro- Nov 3rd.
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal? Very important. Its important to get encouragement and support from your family, friends, coach and supporters, but you also have to believe in yourself pulling confidence from within. Confidence exudes from you when you have it, and it affects your performance, be it onstage or in front of the camera for me. Motivation is extremely important in my opinion. Once again, there are times to be motivated from and by others, but alot of times you gotta pull from within for motivation. They kinda tie in together. Staying motivated keeps me pushing and working my hardest. When I'm working my hardest, my confidence goes up, knowing I am doing all that I can do. Then, I'm best prepared.
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? Wow, sometimes I'd say 50/50, and then other times I would say 70/30, ya know. Depends on the person and maybe the natural ability they have. Some are just naturals. Thats where 50/50 comes in. They got it naturally, but still have to put the hard work in. While others, it may not come naturally at first, but with hard work, they can get better and better. My advice is to find what your naturally blessed with, and work as hard as you can to accomplish your goals. I have a natural ease on stage, ability to speak on camera, and I love and have passion for fitness, but, I have worked my butt off to accomplish the things that I have for many years.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? There are times when I am not motivated trust me,lol, I laugh about sitting in front of the gym talking myself into going in. So, I guess thats one strategy, get up and go..you'll always feel better once you get started. I also look at fitness magazines, check out YouTube videos, things like that. I am motivated visually so seeing people training or looking very fit re
ally motivates me. I also know life is all about choices. I didnt get to where I'm at by skipping gym sessions and eating dessert. So, I remember my goals, visualize them and also think of how this training session is gonna make me one step closer to my goals, my body strong and healthy and allow me later, to inspire someone. That always helps. I go to my Facebook fan page and read all of the comments from the people I am blessed to inspire. That definitely gets me going.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? In photo shoots, having confidence has helped me to pose better or take better shots because I have the confidence to take risks. Definitely in castings. I go on auditions all of the time where I've had to read script, improv, sing, etc., in front of strangers. You have to be confident in yourself for that. Onstage, I have confidence in the package I am bringing, so I let that come across to the judges, and definitely in my hosting jobs. I am very confident with my on-camera skills so it allows me to believe in my abilities and not be nervous. Yo can't be nervous in those situations. With all this confidence talk, I do have to remind you, that I believe in a difference, a big difference between confidence and arrogance. I am a Christian, giving God the credit for my abilities and open doors, so humility to me is key. I am confident in myself because I definitely have to believe in what I do.
What do you find the most challenging about competing? Definitely THE DIET!!!!! Not the eating of it, I am actually pretty robotic. I just eat what I'm supposed to and really dont get tempted, it's just a mindset...this is what I'm doing...done. However, its the diet that takes you away from the normal family life. The not going to dinner, or popcorn at the movies, or dating, or gatherings where theres food, etc. It's the limiting and restrictions thats brought in my personal relationships. If I'm alone, heck I'm fine. I just do my workouts, eat my food every 2-3 hours, i'm easy breezy all day on that. However, it's the no vacation, no wedding/celebration toasts, etc. that puts a toll on the loved ones. Thats the hardest. It's actually ended relationships for me, so this is an area where I have had to MAKE IT WORK. I now set my competition schedule accordingly and have decided that being off for the holidays is a must.
What are your top 5 key strategies for success? 1.)consistency 2.) hard work 3.)prayer 4.)people in your life who celebrate and support you 5.) determination and persistence. Ya can't take one no..or 10 for that matter ;)
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? Of course my amazing sponsors BSN Syntha -6 !!!! In chocolate peanut butter. Why? Because it is seriously the best protein powder ever!!! I literally crave it, so I am ve
ry blessed that they sponsor me.
Favorite Inspirational Quote: Be still and know that I am God.
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? My sponsor BSN!! They have been absolutely amazing to me for going on our 4th year now! I love my team!! My wonderful best friend, my mom, shes taught me so much and does so much on a daily basis. My coach Kim Oddo, my loved ones and my supporters. Like I said, they keep me going on those times when I do have to keep that motivation up, extra up. And thank you to RX Girl, for the interest in interviewing me and allowing me to share my thoughts. I thank you for your support as well. I'm just a girl in this world, blessed to do what I love, and to help and inspire someone along the way is a daily blessing. Thank you xo
