Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: IFBB Figure Pro Krista Dunn
Category you compete in: Figure
Date of birth: January 7, 1967
Hometown: Broomfield, Colorado
Career: Stay at home mom, home school teacher.
Competition history: I started competing in the 90’s as a bodybuilder. I gave up the sport, but continued to stay fit and healthy; I did not really keep up with the changes in bodybuilding/fitness/figure so I was unaware of the category of “figure” until someone mentioned it to me at the gym one day. I researched it and decided to give it a try, so in 2009 (15 years after my final BB competition) I did my first local figure competition. I placed 3rd. I decided that I should give it another try, so later that same year I did another local show and placed 1st! That got me hooked. I decided to do a national show, I wasn’t getting any younger and I thought it would be good to cross it off of my bucket list. In 2010 I did Masters Nationals and placed 6th and the very next weekend I competed at the USA’s and placed 8th. Crossing it off of my bucket list was a great idea BUT since I placed in the top 10 at both of the national shows that I went to ~ I was no longer just doing it for the fun of it. I really became passionate about the sport, especially at my age (the tender age of 43) I was in the top 10!!! Something that I really did not expect at all! (I really went to those national shows just hoping to not be LAST!) In 2011 I did two more national shows; Jr USA’s placing 3rd and Nationals placing 5th. In 2012 I decided it was make it or break it time, I turned 45 and decided I was going to go for it all! I was going to hit each national show and bring the best me to the stage; I was going to earn that IFBB card or die (not really) trying!! I did 4 national shows and that 4th one was a charm. I found myself where it all began; Masters Nationals. I won the over 45 “E” class and won the overall title to earn my pro card. It was AWESOME!! Once it all sunk in, I had to decide what was next. I decided to jump into the pros with both feet. There was no stopping me; I was on a roll. My first pro show was the Ft Lauderdale Pro and I placed 9th, then I did the Kentucky Pro and placed 7th and finally (my 7th show of the year) I did the Miami Pro and placed 7th.
Next competition: My next competition is going to be the Toronto Pro May 31-June 1.
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
Motivation and confidence is the key to accomplishing any goal, whether it is a competition or a project at work. You need to find out what motivates you and use it to help you get through. You also need the confidence to reach that goal which is most often the hardest part. In this sport especially, your mind plays some pretty nasty tricks on you. You need to keep in mind that you DO belong on that stage, you DO look awesome, and you DO deserve it. Surround yourself with people that make you feel confident and that tell you are amazing. Sometimes the mirror does not tell the truth and you need someone on the outside looking in to tell you that you are doing a good job and to keep it up.
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? I do think that there is a benefit to having a combination of hard work and natural ability to reach the top but mostly I think it is hard work that will take you to the top. Phil Heath, Erin Stern, and Nicole Wilkins (just to name a few) were no
t born looking like they do. They have had to work hard over the years to attain their winning physiques. I have seen many before and after pictures of all of them and other athletes as well and they all looked like we did at their first show. Nothing is “given” it has to be earned with a lot of blood, sweat and even a few tears. You have to work hard and keep working hard it is not easy!!
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? My main motivation is my age. I am very proud of the fact that I am 46 years old and am in the top 10 at the pro level. But I know that it takes work, sometimes even MORE work at my age. I am very aware that I may wake up one morning to find that my body has realized that I am not 26 and start sagging and drooping. So when I am at the gym, I train hard to keep up with the “youngsters” and I also want to get other women my age motivated to get off of their butts and do something. That it is not too late. I have this over whelming desire to not waste my pro card, to not be the one on stage where everyone says “see that is why they shouldn’t give pro cards to the over 45 age category.” It helps to keep the competition in the forefront of my mind when I diet too, I do not cheat and have a small bite of this or a drink of that during my diet because I do not want to look back at that one thing that I did and say “that is the reason I looked bad or placed poorly.” If I do everything that I am supposed to do to a “T” than I know that I am bringing my very best to the stage.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? I am typically a quiet person and I have had to gain the confidence to speak up, speak for myself, and not let things just happen. Especially in this sport, if you don’t like your make-up, your tan, your suit, anything at all then you have to say something. You have worked too hard for too many months for things to not be perfect. Do not have things that you will look back on after the show and say “if only I had….” Also the confidence to ask for things like asking for “sponsorship” etc. is important. If you are lucky enough to get one without trying, that is awesome. But I think you need to put yourself out there. I have sent many emails, messages etc to companies that I use and believe in and I finally got a “yes” from Pro-Tan. I am now sponsored by Pro-Tan Performance Brands because I had the confidence to ask!
What do you find the most challenging about competing? The most challenging thing about competing is the traveling and eating. Packing food for every day that I am out of town is such a pain and most of the hotels do not provide a refrigerator or microwave. So I am basically eating questionable chicken and steak “coldish” 7 times a day. Yes, some hotels provide the “competitor menu” but it will break the bank trying to eat it for every meal, it is so expensive. Plus, the size is not really accurate. It says 4 ounce chicken ($14) but my handy dandy scale (yes, it travels with me) says it’s just a bit over 3 ounces so you have to order two. (That’s $28 for two pieces of boiled chicken and NO SIDES). It gets a little crazy.
What are your top 5 key strategies for success? My top 5 key strategies for success would have to be:
1. Focus. Have your goal set. Keep it on your mind 24/7. Think about what you want and make sure everything you do throughout the day is focused on achieving that goal.
2. Plan. You have to be a planner. Think about what your day/week is and plan accordingly. That way you are not stuck without food cooked or missing cardio. If you have to get up at the butt crack of dawn to do cardio then do it.
3. Don’t give up. If you really want something bad enough, you have to keep trying. If a show doesn’t go the way you want then figure out what happened and change it and keep going. Work harder and keep the pri
ze in sight!
4. Listen!!! Do what your trainer tells you!!! Do not adlib your diet plan or workout plan and if you do…do not blame your trainer if you fail!!!!!!!!!!
5. Have fun!! When it stops being fun, then you cannot be successful at it any more. Have fun when you train (be focused but have fun) and have fun at your show! It is why you are doing a show to begin with, it is a challenge BUT you want to have fun!!
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? My favorite protein powder is from Top Secret Nutrition. Yes, Kristal Richardson is my trainer ~ but their protein is super creamy and yummy! I LOVE it! My favorite protein, when I drop all of my sucralose from my diet, is Dymatize All Natural Elite Whey because it does not contain artificial sweeteners. And before I go to bed I use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Natural Casein because it also does not have artificial sweeteners.
Favorite Inspirational Quote: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? I want to give a shout out to my husband and my daughter, they are my biggest supporters! My husband kept my spirits up and helped push me to keep going during my marathon year last year. He keeps my confidence up and helps keep that nasty negative voice from invading my head. He is always giving me words of encouragement and I am reinvigorated every time he tells me he is proud of me! My daughter has to put up with me every single day, we are together nearly all day and sometimes mom can be a little cranky. But she is proud of me too and I think she really likes it when the boys tell her that they are afraid of me! (Muscles are GOOD!) I wanted to also give a shout out to my trainer Kristal Richardson I would not be an IFBB Pro without her! She is the best trainer and friend that I could ask for and I thank her for putting up with me!! :)
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