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Published on Wednesday, 14 November 2012 19:50
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Written by Lauren Cascio, IFBB Figure Pro
The Day She Turned Pro: An Exclusive Interview with Danielle Sereluca
By: Lauren Cascio, IFBB Figure Pro
If nothing changes, then nothing cha
nges. Danielle Sereluca made the switch from Bikini competitor to Figure, and with just one local show and one national show under her Figure suit, this impressive lady flew home last weekend from Nationals with her IFBB pro card. She took home 1st place in Figure Class A. Not only does she look amazing on stage, she is also a dedicated mother to her two daughters, a full-time echocardiographer at Upstate Medical University in New York, and a girl who inspires her family, friends and followers with her unwavering positive attitude, despite the challenges that come her way.
I caught up with Danielle just two days after she heard those awesome words announced to the audience, “Here is your new IFBB pro, Danielle Sereluca”.
Q: Now that you’ve had time to absorb it, how does it feel being able to call yourself an IFBB pro?
A: I still can’t believe it. I’ve worked so hard for this moment. To hear the announcer call me an IFBB Pro and to know all the hard work I’ve put into this has finally meant something and be recognized for it, it’s an honor.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced during contest prep this year?
My youngest daughter Kayla was born a preemie, and she has had a lot of medical conditions which meant a lot of time in the hospitals. She had two brain surgeries – one when she was one year old and the next when she was three, this past January. Kayla’s first surgery was due to fluid accumulating on the brain - a condition known as hydrocephaly. The second was due to a congenital anomaly she was born with called Chari 1 malformation of the brain. The brain surgery she underwent for that was a very extensive, risky, five-hour surgery, but it was a great success, and I thank God for that.
A: My most difficult challenge was staying focused and sticking to my diet during those long nights at the hospital with her. I had to figure out ways to get my workouts in; I would utilize the stairs when there were no other options. I would run up and down the stairs for my cardio while in the hospital; I would bring food packed in my cooler. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I set my mind to it and I just wanted it so bad.
On top of that, my fiancé and I wanted to make sure we gave our other daughter a normal life so she wasn’t totally affected by what the baby was going through. My fiancé and I would take turns and spend alternate nights at the hospital so that the other one of us could stay home with my older daughter.
Q: Wow, that is a lot to go through, regardless of whether you are prepping for a show or not. Competing can pose a lot of challenges for people regardless of outside circumstances – it can be mentally draining and physically exhausting. Why did you decide to compete?
A:I got into weight lifting when I was 16 years old and playing track and field. I really fell in love with it and I always enjoyed staying in shape. Fast forward to when I am an adult training in the gym, and one of my trainers told me that I wouldn’t be able to follow a diet. So I told him, “Oh yea, you give me the diet, I’ll follow it, pick out a show, and I’ll show you.”
My first show was a WBFF show in Miami, and I had no 
idea what it was about. But I did the show and I placed 7th. I love being on stage, but at first I was nervous in the suit – I wasn’t sure what to wear or what to do. A month later I competed in the 2011 NPC Southern states in Bikini. I placed 4th and I thought that this was definitely worth it. Combined with my love of lifting weights, I realized I could really keep going with this and improve. Next up was nationals and I placed 6th.
Q: Why did you cross over from Bikini to figure?
A: I do like Bikini because it’s easy to show my personality – I am fun, I’m sassy. But I learned I can still show that while posing for figure. My critique from one of the judges at Nationals where I placed 6th in Bikini was that my physique was too muscular. She said I have a phenomenal body but if I wanted to go somewhere in the sport I should consider a move over to figure. So I thought about and talked with my trainer and we decided, let’s go for it. I love muscle and I would never want to lose the muscle that I’ve gained, so it made sense to switch to figure.
My first figure show was in the Lehigh Valley Championships. I didn’t know how to pose, I didn’t know what to do, but I won the show. It’s pretty funny looking back on it. I was so awkward on stage but I won my class, I won overall and I won Masters +35. I was thinking, “Wait did I just win this? That’s awesome!” And then I went on to Team Universe. I started to practice my posing and wanted to make sure I didn’t look like I was trying so hard. I took 3rd in Open and 4th in Masters, and that was my first and only national-level figure show before last weekend’s Nationals.
Q: Do you have any rituals on competition day?
A: I carry a small picture of my family with me. It ground
s me. I have to talk to my kids before going on stage and I get to hear them tell me “good luck momma, you’re going to do great!” I talk to my fiancé and he reminds to be confident out there and show them what I’m made of. The work is done just go out there and do it. I think of them on stage and that is really the main ritual I have.
Q: How do your two girls feel about you competing? Do they want to be a part of the action?
A:My little one doesn’t understand it yet, but my older daughter loves it and is with me all the time – she is downstairs helping me prep my food, she helps me cook my chicken. She will help me pack my bags with my shoes and suit. My daughter is very supportive.
Q: So does she want to get involved and work out in gym? Maybe a future figure girl on your hands?
A: Absolutely! My fiancé is the general manager at the gym where I train, so as a family we are very fit and healthy. We show her this lifestyle, and she loves it. She’ll go over to the machines and yell, “Mommy come over here and help me!”
Q: You had a four-month window between Team Universe and Nationals, how did you adjust your prep?
A: The critique from the judges was that my legs needed a little more work. I asked one of the judges, “What am I lacking, what do I need to improve?” And the response was that my upper body is beautiful and legs are nicely developed, but when I turn I lost size in my legs. I had to build my hamstrings, so that along with diet was my focus.
Once a week I would hit legs really hard and heavy, with low rep. At the start, we would adjust training and diet one time per month. At the two-month mark we were changing things every week, if needed. My coach Pheadra Dunaway, is a Master Nutritionist with experience working in this industry, with bodybuilders; she is just a guru in this sport, she’s the top. I just listened to her and trusted her.
Q: You worked your tail off, you spent time traveling to the show, a long day of competing, and it was all worth it. After turning pro, how did you celebrate?
A: After a long 14 weeks of prep, I went out with a couple friends to the diner across the way, and I had a bacon cheeseburger and fries. I followed that with a piece of Snickers cake. Snickers is my favorite candy, so I had to try some. We went home after that and within ten minutes I was in such a sugar coma, I passed out and was done.
Q: Now that you will be standing up against the top figure girls in the world, who are you most looking forward to standing side by side with on that stage?
A: This is a tough one. There are so many great girls out there. I’m going to have to tell you that I hope one day I will be able to stand next to Nicole Wilkins. She really has been my inspiration, my idol. When you watch her she is so motivated and so energetic, and she just seems like such a great person. And to see her on stage and think, wow I might be able to stand on stage with her – that would be amazing. Plus standing side by side with her with her could mean standing on the Olymplia stage, and that is my u
ltimate goal; that’s what every athlete in this sport strives for. That’s my goal, to get that invite and stand there at the Olympia with her.
Q: You made a quick turnover from amateur figure competitor to IFBB pro. What advice do you have for other girls looking to start competing in figure?
A: Just keep going, and don’t ever give up. When you think that you are at your bottom and you just can’t take anymore, you need to step it up that much more and believe in yourself. That’s when you have to dig deep down. That’s what I had to do a lot of times – dig deep down and say to myself that this is what I want, and I will not give up. You wake up in the morning and get yourself to the gym and follow your diet because it will all pay off. And you know what? I can say it really has.
Q: Who would you like to thank for helping you throughout this contest season?
A: I want to thank my fiancé, Steve Mann; my two beautiful girls Karissa and Kayla; my friend and mentor who started me on my journey of competing, Ken Wawa; my current coach, Pheadra Dunaway; and Aspen Athletics Club, because everyone there is so supportive and pushed me through my prep. They were all just so great. Lastly I want to thank my sponsors Chris and Codee of Flex Till You’re Famous, and Brian Hartline of Cutting Edge Supplements.
Q: I know that you’ve only had a couple days to let it all sink in, but what’s next for you? When will we see you on stage next?
A: My first focus is taking a little time off to let my body rest. I want to enjoy time with my girls and fiancé during the holidays. Come December or January, I will ask for an invite to the Arnold. If I don’t get to go there I will wait until next year’s schedule and pick something from there.
I am looking forward to this new journey and what it’s going to hold for me. I’m going to give it 100%, just like I did to get me where I am now. I want to accomplish my ultimate fitness goal and be a competitor at the Olympia.
Q: What is your favorite quote or words to li
ve by?
A: “Stop admiring another's body and make them admire yours....put the work in!” That’s my favorite. I would hear this day-in and day-out from my coach and I’ve grown pretty fond of it!
Danielle has developed a figure that will surely spawn many admirers. Her discipline and dedication on, top of her amazing presence on stage will undoubtedly make her a girl to watch. While for now she plans to spend some well-deserved downtime with family, perhaps indulging in some pizza (which happens to be this Italian girl’s favorite cheat meal), it won’t be long before she makes waves on the pro circuit. But until then, you can keep up with her at www.facebook.com/DanielleSereluca-ifbbFigurePro or follow her at twitter @Dzealdoll.
