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: Amy Bella
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: April 8, 1980
Hometown: Erie, PA
Career: Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Model, Mother of 5 children, Wife, Referee, Counselor, Maid, Chef.. You name it I do it!!
Competition history:
· NMA Spring season 2009 Bikini 5th place
· NMA Fall season 2009 Bikini 4th Place
· NMA spring season 2010 Bikini 2nd place
· NMA Fall Season 2010 Bikini 1st place.
· NPC Natural Ohio 2010 6th place
· NPC/IFBB 2011 Arnold Amateur Bikini 12th place
· NPC Natural Ohio 3rd Place
· NPC Natural Northern 2012 2nd Place
· NPC/IFBB 2012 Arnold Amateur 6th Place
· NPC Natural Ohio 3rd Place
· 2012 North Americans Did not place in top 5
· NPC Natural Northern 3rd Place
· NPC/IFBB 2013 Arnold Amateur Bikini 2nd Place
Next Competition is scheduled for April 6th at The NPC Natural Ohio in Lakewood Ohio
What do you feel is the WORST part of contest prep? The worst part of contest prep for me has to be the final week leading up to the competition. Between the anxieties, lack of interest in anything other than the gym, the bland food and the lack of sleep from being so excited is mind boggling. Oh and my poor family…. It’s the raw emotions of all your hard work, dedication, sacrifice and anticipation slapping you in the face all in one moment. And they get the looks from that say it all.
Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule? My workout schedule is pretty different from a lot of other competitors I talk to; I like to switch things up constantly. I love that sore feeling I get from an intense work out. It makes me feel accomplished and that I left everything I had, on the floor. After training consistently for the last 4 years it’s hard to get that epic soreness. I am in the gym 5-6 days a week; I usually spend 1-1.5 hrs a day in the gym, depending on how hard I train, or how intense I train a particular muscle group.
If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which one would you prefer to lose and why? Wow this is a hard question to answer, obviously I would never want to lose any of thes
e vital senses, but if I had to choose one, it would be my sense of smell, which in fact would affect my sense of taste, which during contest prep may not always be such a bad thing!!! Haha! It would in fact ultimately prevent me from enjoying so many things. Nothing worse than smelling the foods you love in the air, knowing you’re not going to enjoy them anytime real soon.
If you could change one things about this sport what would it be? If I could change one thing about this sport it would definitely be the negativity or cattiness that people either experience or portray. It’s hard enough having to do all the things necessary in order to achieve the physique needed to be successful without having other people act as if they are either better than you, or that they somehow deserve more because of political reasons . We all work hard in order to be on a competitive standard and I fully enjoy my journey, not just the destination. I am the one you will hear laughing back stage while making other girls laugh to calm their nerves.
If you had a time capsule what would you put inside it and why? If I had a time capsule I would place in it, pictures of my parents, children and close friends. I would also make a collage of photos and notes from my early adult and competitive years showing my success, struggles and sacrifices that were made in order to reach my goals. I would also include several notes to myself that simply say, have faith, have fun, be patient, and enjoy the ride!
What is your favorite vacation spot? My favorite Vacation spot would have to be Aruba! It has to be the most amazing place I have ever been to. Between the white sand beaches and crystal clear water, it is the ultimate vacation spot! I have been there a few times and every time I return, it continues to impress me.
What advice do you have for women who would like to get involved in and compete in the sport of bodybuilding? The advice I would have is this; you have to be open minded to critiques, and guidance, and you have to become 1000% committed to whatever it is you choose to do. It’s NOT easy! If it were easy, everyone would do it! It’s about consistency, sacrifice, dedication, focus and so many other things. It’s more than a 12-16 week program, if you want to be successful and move up the ranks you have to make it a lifestyle. It’s easy to think hey if he/she can do it so can I! A lot of people think that way because it seems easier than it is. Having to reach past the cereal, cookies and pop tarts every morning to get my plain steel cut oats is NOT EASY! Having children, careers, school schedules and LIFE itself can get in the way of achieving your goals only if you allow it! There are so many reasons or excuses people can throw around but ultimately it’s about making time to do what it takes to be successful!
Do not listen to negativity, do not compare yourself to others- but rather compare yourself to the person you were yesterday, and never try to imitate someone you would like to be, be yourself. Oh and HAVE FUN!
What is a day-in-the-life of Bella like?
Goodness do we have more room to write?!?! Hahaha! Well I start every day waking up thanking God!
I spend the morning getting 4 of my 5 children ready for school. When they are gone for the day I spend the rest of my time with my amazing 3 year old son. We have breakfast together; he loves pop tarts and of course I have to watch him enjoy them! He occasionally will eat some plain oats with me, but its rare, and I don’t blame him. I get to my office mid morning and cover any email updates or questions with my clients. I own Bella-Fitness and have recently switched most of my training for clients to online. I enjoy working with clients around the world and find enjoyment in their successes. I usually spend 4-5 hours a day working with clients, and then I am off to train myself for 1-1.5hrs. When I am home in the evenings, I like to prep my meals and schedule for the next day. It helps to be a day ahead! The rest of the family starts to arrive back home in the evening and it’s time to make dinners, check homework, be mom and loving wife, etc. The next day it starts all over again. I wouldn’t change a thing. Im truly blessed in life.
My Favorite Motivational quote has to be:
“My life is what I make of it. I choose love, love of life. Life is a collectio
n of moments and the experiences we collect through time. Each and every moment and experience since birth has created the person we are today. To regret even one is to regret that we lived. I choose to embrace each moment so as to embrace itself and to create happiness in the person I have taken the time to create, and continue to do so, moment by moment”
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to? I would love to give a shout out to; BuildingBrawn.com and the team for believing in me and helping me every step of the way through my journey in this tough competitive field!
I would Like to thank Paul Knobloch, Gary Udit, and Andy Bartolovitch for all the critique’s, advice and guidance, over the past few years!
I would also like to give a shout out to the following women of Fitness, Figure & Bikini for all their guidance, wisdom and advice they had given me so generously! Adela Garcia Panelo, Alea Suarez, Amanda Latona, Monica Sanchez Labriola, Liz Gaspari and so many others! You are some of the most amazing women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with! I love you and am blessed to have your friendship in my life!~ <3
And of course my family and friends for supporting me daily!
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