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Spotlight On IFBB Figure Pro: Rebekah Willich
Category you compete in: IFBB Pro Figure
Date of birth: February 5, 1990
Hometown: Davenport, IA
Career: Personal Trainer, Strength and Conditioning & Health and Wellness Coach
Competition history:
Midwest Open 2012- 1st Place (Overall)
Illinois State 2012- 1st place C Class
Duel of Champions Omaha, NE 2012- 2nd place C class
NPC Junior Nationals 2012- 7th place F class
NPC Nationals 2012- Earned pro-card
St. Louis Pro Figure 2013- 15th place
Governor’s Cup 2013- 11th place
Next competition:
Omaha Pro Figure 2013
Wings of Strength Chicago Pro 2013
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal? Motivation and confidence are two very crucial qualities a competitor must obtain in my opinion. Without motivation, self-discipline and a true love and passion for this sport and giving your 100% all day every day it is really hard to be successful. Of course we are all human and everyone slips here and there when it comes to things like a bad workout or slipping on diet, but it’s what we do to make sure those things don’t happen again or how you will make up for what you did the next day. For me it’s not just going to the gym and working out or getting 50min of cardio in because my coach Kim Oddo says so; It’s more like “Man I wish I didn’t have to leave the gym, I could lift all day” or “I’ve only got 50 min to get some mad sweating done so let’s do this!” Having an attitude like this makes all my workouts not only enjoyable but meaningful. Along with motivation and a good attitude, confidence can either make or break a competitor. I’ve seen woman in my short year of competing that have beautiful physiques but lack the confidence in them and that shows 
big time up on stage. You got to own it! Be proud, regardless if you’re really the best, believe you’re the best, and make them judges believe you’re the best. Most preps are at least 12 months long and all us competitors know we’ve worked too hard, too long and have sweat too much to step up there and act like we don’t deserve to win. Everyone should act and feel like a winner if they know they put in their all during prepping for a show, first place or not. My first pro show in St. Louis I got 15th, but I stepped off stage and thought to myself “Damn this feels good, 23 years old and 15th amongst some great pros, I’ll take it!” My very next thought was “Time to get to the gym and move that placing up!” I try to make every day, every hour, every minute count towards succeeding in this industry and improving my physique.
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top? I think genetics and natural ability have a great deal to do with how fast you excel in this sport, not so much though if or if not you can be successful. Some believe without genetics you can’t be at the top or will never do great but I think that’s a cop out for those who don’t want to put in the hard work to be honest. Yes, genetics have a huge part in this sport, for instance I genetically have round shoulders and just an athletic stature, I put on leaner muscle and have small waist which helped me get my pro card within less than a year of even training. My genetics helped me get me to where I am now but without the hard work and long hours, dieting and doing all the things I need to do to build my physique, genetics alone would not help me be this successful. On the other side of the genetics topic, those who don’t genetically have the body or physique when beginning this sport are not out for the count or considered “unlucky”, everyone can train and develop and grow towards the physique they wish to obtain, it just might take more time, more years for those who have those weak spots. I my
self was not genetically blessed with calves, it’s very clear in pictures, so I have been working hard ever since my first show to develop those and all the other areas I need to improve on to get them closer to what the judges want to see. In all, genetics helps yes, but hard work and putting in the hours at the gym, diet and good nutrition is where it’s at.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you? Looking at old pictures and the way I have been developing over the last year helps big time. I just started lifting a little over a year ago and just knowing that all this hard work and dedication really does pay off makes me want to keep going and keep growing, bettering myself each workout. I also love looking up to some of my favorite pros such as Nicole Wilkins and Erin Stern of course. I watch their YouTube channels and follow them and others in magazines and it’s always good to challenge myself not to be them or get to their exact physique, but to want to push myself as they do to get to my own best physique and maybe someday accomplish being successful in this industry as well. Both women share the qualities of love, dedication and passion for this sport much like myself, but the two have very unique personalities and training methods and I strive to bring a different unique and great physique/ personality to the pro stage and IFBB figure industry. Interesting side note, we all share the same birthday, Erin, Nicole and I! Thought that was kind of cool!
What do you find the most challenging about competing? The last week of prep is the hardest for me. The low carbs, low body fat and low energy while being a full-time nursing student can be really rough at times. I’m excited to graduate and not have to worry about being able to finish prep and not having to worry about taking a test and studying all night while trying to balance my time fitting my last cardio sessions and workouts in. What doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger though right!
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve? I remember my first show, the Midwest Open in Davenport, the Ernie Bea show last year in April. I had only been training for a little over four months long. I knew that I was younger, smaller, and less developed than a lot of the woman who have been competing for years, but still thought I looked great or the best that I have looked in a long time. I worked hard and if I wasn’t going to win this show by muscle, I was going to try and win the judges over by stage presence. I went up on stage and acted like I knew I should win, even though in my head I was honestly terrified that I was no where near the development that some of these girls were and I stood no chance. I ignored those thoughts out on stage, strutted my little butt up in front of those judges, all smiles, relaxed, posed and that confidence that I created on stage won me my first overall trophy and kicked off my love for this sport and lifestyle!
What are your top 5 key strategies for success? Number one and most important to me is to be you. Don’t work your tail off to become someone you’re not. Train to become the best you that you can be and the rest will come. Too many competitors train to look like other top competitors and neglect the thought that maybe they are better in a different division. I started off wanting to become a bikini competitor. Then I realize that that kind of stage presence and the personality that that division takes is just not me so I switched to figure and was successful from the get go. Train your hardest and be you, better yourself, and build the best you that you can and like I said the rest, such as the success, with all come.
Second, be positive. Seems simple and maybe almost common since but negat
ivity grows like a wild weed garden and affects not only you but those around you. When I’m having a bad day I can tell my workouts are not as good as they should be so I try to stop the negativity right in its track. Look at things as if the glass is half full not half empty. “Goooosh I have fifty minutes of cardio!” Negative. Try saying “I have 50 min of cardio and will look better each minute I’m on that machine so let’s push it! One cardio session closer to looking my best!” Be positive!
Third, make sure your goals are about you and not set to please others. Only goals that are something you really want to achieve are those that are something you want to accomplish for yourself and not to please others are the ones that you can achieve successfully. Losing weight to look good for your boyfriend, doing a show because your significant other thinks you should or even smaller goals such as eating healthier can only be successfully achieved if you really want it.
Fourth, pick your crowds carefully. Surround yourself with people that not only are positive and support your goals but with people who care enough to bring you down, distract you are veering you away from succeeding in your goal. This is really a challenge when some of your closest friends are the biggest distraction away from your goals. Be honest with yourself though, if the friend or group of friends truly care about you and support you in accomplishing your goal or being successful they will understand and find ways to keep you on track. I found this hard when I first started dieting and all my friends wanted to go out and have a few drinks. My friends were great and always understood that what I do takes commitment towards not only not drinking and eating outside of my diet, but getting home at a decent hour to get the sleep my body needs to grow and repair. My friends and family are awesome and I choose to surround myself only with people like them.
Success happens overtime and is not immediate satisfaction. My last key to success is to set goals. Set reasonable and obtainable goals and after you reach one create another. Don’t shoot for an immediate satisfying goal such as “becoming Miss Olympia in one year” or “losing 100lbs in less than 6 months,” but set small goals that you can reach with hard work that are achievable now such as “I want to place in the top 3 of my class at my first show” or “I want to lose 10 lbs. this next month.” Accomplishing small goals can turn into reaching big dreams.
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it? Tough one! Best taste goes to Beverly international protein for sure for me. But I utilize 100% Whey Protein Isolate by Optimum Nutrition most often I would have to say. Optimum has great flavors and their whey protein supplies the body with a lot of great amino acids and other recovery ingredients great for bodybuilders or for a pre or post workout shake.
Favorite Inspirational Quote:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians- 4:13. That is what that large piece of artwork on my side reads. I’m a bigger believer in faith, without it I wouldn't have the strength mentally, physically and emotionally to carry through with this sport at my best. The Bible and my faith has taught me that “You must always have faith and refuse to be defeated,” another one of my favorite quotes and also my life motto.
In closing, who would you like to give a shout out to? First I’d like to thank my family and friends for being such a great support system especially the last two weeks when Rebekah turns into a carb craving maniac! My boyfriend of 8 years, Cory Shaeckenbach, for being my support and backbone through the whole first year of my competing. I couldn’t do this all without him. Second, and most importantly I have to give thanks to my God, with him and through him; he gives me strength to accomplish my everyday goals. Also, I want to give a huge thanks to my coach, Kim Oddo, for bringing out the best in my physique and in my character; couldn’t ask for a better coach. He truly cares about each and every one of his competitors and makes us all feel like a family.
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