Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On IFBB Bikini Pro: Maria Angeline Annunziata
Category you compete in:IFBB Bikini Pro
Date of birth: 5/15/1984
Hometown: Palm Beach, Florida
Career:National Account & Sales Manager
Competition history:
August 7th, 2010 – ABA All Natural (John Hansen); 1st Place Figure Short Class & Overall
NPC Illinois Grand Prix – 4th Place Figure Short
NPC Illinois State – 3rd Place Figure Short
NPC Pittsburgh Pro (amateur) – 12th Place Bikini D Class
NPC Grand Prix Natural – 1st Place Bikini B Class
NPC Indianapolis – 1st Place & Overall Bikini Tall
NPC Junior Nationals – 12th Place Bikini D Class
NPC Coastals – 1st Place & Overall Bikini C Class
NPC North Americans – 1st Place Bikini D Class – Earned IFBB Pro Card
Masters Olympia IFBB Bikini – Pro Debut 16th
Next competition: Not sure which one exactly I’m going to wait and see what my coaches say about my improvement season. But I definitely want to hit the ground running this year, and really earn my rankings as a new Bikini PRO!
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
Motivation and Confidence are two of the most important traits you must have when accomplishing any goal. Motivation makes all the difference between success and failure and to achieve your goals, it’s vital that you have your own source of instant inspiration that fires you up each day and kick-starts your determination to be successful. With this in mind, it’s vital that you consider your own source of inspiration and what your motivation is exactly. One way to do this is writing down a goal list of everything you want to accomplish in a give
n day, week, month and year. Make the goals attainable with realistic deadlines so you don’t become overwhelmed. It’s also very important to be constantly reminded of your goals and why you have set them for yourself.
Confidence, the other crucial trait, you must instill when motivating yourself to even create and accomplish your goals. I’m a believer that negative thoughts can chip away at your confidence and bring self doubt. To help gain confidence in my own life I always try and remain optimistic and positive about every situation, even if I’m feeling pressure or the outcome doesn’t turn out the way I hope it would. I create a positivity board and update it regularly. I regularly visualize my goals and how I will feel when I achieve them, even stepping on stage and getting center position.
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do” — Eleanor Roosevelt
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top?
Hard work, persistence and determination will be crucial when trying to reach the top. If you are working on a really big goal that is aligned with your passions and values, you are going to have no problem going back to work, day after day, until your dream has been realized. You must believe in yourself and know that you will make it regardless of the roadblocks you encounter along the way. Never.Give.Up!
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you?
Some motivation strategies that work for me are deep breathing, meditation, positivity board, good self help/positivity reads. I’m a sucker for quotes so I will go through tons of authors and quotes at night to get me refreshed for the next day. Also, more recently each morning and night I have an appreciation diary that I write in. I will write everything that I appreciate from that day small or big. Most importantly be thankful for everything you have accomplished thus far.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? Confidence has helped me mold into the independent female I am today. It was there when I graduated with my international marketing/business management degree. It also has helped me to work my way up the corporate ladder and break through the glass ceiling in a very male dominated industry. Be confident was also the major contributor to me achieving my #1 fitness goal of the year, obtaining my IFBB Pro Card!
What do you find the most challenging about competing?
The most challenging thing about competing is trying to balance between my day career, my second career (competing), dating life, family and friends. Sometimes I am so goal oriented and a bit of an over achiever that once I have established a goal in mind I will create tunnel vision until its accomplished, instead of balancing everything in my life I will let that goal take precedence.
This is Goal #4 for 2013!
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
Willing to take a risk, dedication, determination
, discipline, and optimism
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it?
Beverly International Ultimate Muscle Protein (Chocolate). Add some water, make a pudding consistency and you have a little piece of heaven. Literally the best tasting protein I have ever had. I’ve been using their products for the past 3 years.
Favorite Inspirational Quote:
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal- a commitment to excellence- that will enable you to attain the success you seek." Charles Kendall Adams
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
First and foremost I want to give a shout out to my Mom and Dad (Teresa and Mark Annunziata) for all your constant support, guidance, dedication, and positivity you have instilled in me. I would also like to give a BIG thanks to my coaches at Team Bombshell, Shannon Dey and Rob Rosetti for helping me to sculpt my very best physique and for helping me to achieve all my fitness goals/dreams this year. Finally to all my teammates on Team Bombshell for being such a great support. You all have inspired me in different ways and I consider you all sisters and family. Finally, to my sponsor Protan for always hooking it up with the best tanning products!
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