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: Carla Dunmore
Category you compete in: Bikini
Date of birth: February 8
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Career: Marketing Specialist & Business Owner
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? I don’t know which superhero I would be, but I know I would not be Wonder Woman. Her outfit looks ridiculously uncomfortable. I could never fight crime in that contraption.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
I have never been the type of girl who likes to diet or exercise. I was a margarita drinking, pizza eating, party girl who was “skinny-fat” and proud! In 2010, I found out I was having my first child. Naturally, I stopped drinking, but I took pregnancy as an excuse to eat for 20! I gained close to 70lbs. and was 205lbs. when I gave birth in July of 2011. I have never been that heavy in my life and I was scared to death it would never go away. I started researching diets and workouts, joined the gym for the first time ever and gave it all I had. I trained 5 days per week, counted my calories and just immersed myself in health and fitness. I fell in love with the whole lifestyle and decided to train for a show. 8 months after giving birth, I competed in my first NPC show and won the Overall Bikini title. The experience was so fun and rewarding, I knew I would make this a permanent part of my life.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
I think it’s so important to take a balanced, healthy approach to dieting. I’m all about going back to basics and not complicating things with fad diets, quick tricks or extreme measures. I cut body fat steadily and slowly by eating lots of veggies, lean meats and making sure not to cause harm to my metabolism by excessive calorie deprivation. I strongly believe that is the key to shaping the physique you want and maintaining it for the long-term.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? I think the biggest misconception, especially in Bikini, is that people are starved for attention, shallow and obsessed. One of the biggest reasons I choose to keep competing is because I have met some of the most lovable, dedicated and hard-working people backstage at shows. We all have a genuine love for the fit lifestyle and competing is a way for us to set new goals to reach and exhibit the bodies we’ve worked so hard to attain. It’s not about attention, being the prettiest or obsessing over a trophy or a Pro card. This is a journey, a challenge and a way for us to do something that we truly enjoy and find happiness doing.
What is your most embarassing childhood memory?
Most of my childhood was awkward and embarrassing LOL! I was always so tall and clumsy. I tripped over air, ran into everything and my pants were never long enough! Ahhhh….the good old days….
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
The bigge
st and most gratifying thing I’ve learned about myself is that I am so much more capable and so much stronger than I ever thought! I have so much endurance, focus and self-discipline. Competing has allowed me to see myself in a whole new light. It’s built my confidence and has given me a strong faith and belief in myself. Everything I’ve learned from this sport has carried over into every other aspect of my life, especially my career. I used to back away from huge challenges and now I crave them. I strive for more and hold myself to a higher standard. Competing has changed me for the better in so many unbelievable ways.
Who do you look up and admire and why?
Within this sport, I look up to athletes who have a strong sense of self and are very career-minded. I think it’s very important to be careful how you promote and market yourself, to present a clean and classy image and be down-to-earth. Some of the IFBB Pro’s that I am a huge fan of are Juliana Daniell, Ashley LeBlanc, Amanda Latona and Erin Stern. I think all of those women bring so much class and confidence to the stage and have done a great job of being ambassadors of the sport.
Competition history:
2012 NPC Camellia Championships- 1st Place Bikini Class C & Overall Bikini Division Champion
2012 NPC Southern Classic (National Qualifier)- 3rd Place Bikini Class F
2012 Team Universe (IFBB Pro Qualifier)-10th Place Bikini Class F
Next competition:
My next show is still undecided but it will certainly be on a National stage.
Favorite Motivational Quote:
“Every Pro was once and amateur. Every expert was once a beginner. So dream big and start now.”
Who would you like to thank?
I give thanks to everyone; those who love me and those who don’t. Those who wish me success and those who want me to fail. I give thanks to everyone, because it’s not just the positive words that keep me going, but the negative ones as well. Everything, the good and the bad, motivates me and makes me work harder and aim higher each day.
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