Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: LeiLani Hartley
Category you compete in: NPC Bikini Class F
Date of birth: 28 Aug 1984
Hometown: Sierra Vista
Career: US Army
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why?
If I could be a superhero, I would be Cat Woman. I have always been drawn to Cat Woman because she is strong and can hold her own. She is sneaky, smart and devious. She can be a bad girl, but also she can be a good girl with a good heart when she wants to be. She is athletic and sexy at the same time. Besides being a criminal, she is definitely who I would want to be.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
I have been involved in sports since I was a small kid. I was running track with middle school kids when I was in elementary school, so I have always been into sports. When I grew up I began to love lifting weights especially since my dad taught me as lot about it. Since I am in the Army fitness has become an even greater part of my lifestyle. During my last deployment in Afghanistan I started doing research and decided that I wanted to do something more with what I love. When we redeployed I began to hit it heavy.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
My approach to my diet is really whatever my coaches Ingrid Romero and Joe Discuillo tell me to do. They change my diet throughout prep to fit how I need to look, I really just do as I am told. LOL
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that you can’t eat or you have to starve yourself especially for the bikini division. To be honest, I have never eaten so much food in my life. I eat six to seven times a day.
Wh
at is your most embarassing childhood memory?
My most embarrassing childhood memory was when I was in the sixth grade. We were at P.E. and one of my classmates yelled heads up. And while I played sports, I didn’t play anything that had to do with baseball or softball so I didn’t know what that meant. I looked up and got hit in the head with a softball and fell into a ditch. My friends unfortunately still remember this story.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
My biggest lesson that I have learned is that I do have will power. It was very hard at first but the more I do it the easier it gets. I just have the mentality that when I don’t want to train, someone is out there training harder than me.
Who do you look up and admire and why?
The first person that I look up to and admire is my mother. She is the reason why I joined the military and she taught me how to be a strong female in the Army that is made of mostly men. The next person I look up to is my coach Ingrid Romero. She is an amazing person. She has so much on her plate and handles it all with ease. When I am feeling down or don’t feel like working out, I just pull up one of her videos or pictures and I think, if she can do it well so can I.
Competition history:
July Absolute Fuel Model of the Month
Sept 8th, Jon Lindsay Tournament of Champions 1st Place (Class F)
Next competition:
Feb 9th Jon Lindsay Gold Coast Muscle Classic
March 16 Northern Kentucky Bikini
July Nationals
Favorite Motivational Quote:
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 
kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.
--Bruce lee--
Who would you like to thank?
I would love to thank my husband for putting up with my mood swings and not seeing me as often during prep, supporting me and helping me with my meals.
I would love to thank what friends I do have left for understand that I am doing what I love and supporting me.
I would love to thank my mom and dad for instilling good morals and teaching me how to be strong.
And last I would love to thank my coaches for believing in me and g
iving me so many wonderful opportunities. I am doing what I love, and I love what I am doing.
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