Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Womens Physique Competitor: Tiffany Heilaneh
Category you compete in: Wo
mens Physique
Date of birth: July 19th 1982
Hometown: Windsor, Ontario Canada
Career: Hair Stylist and Salon Owner
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? If I could be any super hero I would have to choose Samantha from Bewitched. If you can concider her a super hero? She is preceived to be a 100 year old witch, gorgeous and married to a mortal man living in a suburban neighborhood. Feels like me. Although Im not a witch nor am I one hundred years old. I am doing all I can to fight the aging process. I love when Samantha twitches her nose and makes things happen. If it were only that easy right? Although I am a hair dresser and creating beautiful hair and make
up is my profession my alter ego is an intense girl that loves hard music, a big lifted jeep, training hard and anything that brings a rush of adrenaline. Like Samantha she seems like a sweet married woman who would do no harm, but the truth is she is a powerful women with super witch powers and no one would have ever suspected.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport? I had dove into work doing hair day in and day out for 8 years straight and had lost my happiness and body. It's hard to get the food and exercise in while working on hair back to back for hours on end. I knew I needed balance and a serious life change. In 2011 I opened my salon inside Jesse James Fit Training and Wellness Center located in Flower Mound, Texas and have another stylist along side me to take some of the work load off. Prior to opening my shop I had lost 40 lbs on my own and contacted Jesse to begin training. Upon meeting Jesse I had brought a picture of Ava Cowan and asked "Can you make me look like this?" I wanted to compete and it has been a burning passion of mine since the age of 18. To overcome some life stressers such as losing my uncle to cancer, a sister whom struggles with a mental disability and all the other daily stresses, weights became my therapy and I LOVE it. Growing up I had spent several years as a gymnast and had to give it up following my move to Texas from Canada. Training gave me that rush and excitement of being active again. Today my boyfriend of two years and IFBB pro Trish Warren, my mentor, and guide trains me. They both keep me on my toes. I have learned so much from both of them about life and dedication, disipline and hardwork.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto? Currently, I have competed in three shows so far in bikini, figure and women's physique. Each time my diet has been different. I am fortunate to have Jesse (my boyfriend and trainer) guide me with my nutrition as he is great at it. My body does best eating frequent meals. Carb cycling is a must for me as I tend to get puffy. It has taken three years to really get the hang of what works for me and my work and lifting schedule as well. When I begin dieting I know that I'm a nibbler so I do everything possible to prepare for this like make home made popsicles and protein pancakes etc. When I'm really craving something I cook for everyone and make them try out my newest whatever concoction, protein muffin, etc. just so I can have a few sniffs of it. I have learned to really laugh at myself as dieting can show a person just how disiplined and desperate one can become.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have 
about competing? Peoples outlook on competing has been interesting to me. I own a salon and have done hair for 12 years. Also, I am an educator for the brand Kevin Murphy, a worldwide Australian company. My clients and work colleages have all seen me go from 175 lbs heavy to where I am at now in the last few years and they have all been so encouraging, supportive and excited to hear about what I'm doing next. Along with that group I also work inside a person training studio with a number of customers trying to either do the same as me or just lose weight and it seems as though I have inspired them, which fills my heart, because that is what its all about. I love to hear how I have motivated or inspired someone whether it be competition wise or just to get off the couch and do something active. In return it motivates the heck out of me to push harder. I have a wide group of friends that love to train and we do all sorts of different types of training together to keep things interesting and fun.
I get asked tons about what I eat and what I take for supplements, I am very open to these questions and hope to help others reach better nutrition themselves. Grandma has yet to get the concept of competing though. She is always trying to toss me a pancake and the family has to remind her that I cannot eat the pancake until XX date.
What is your most embarassing childhood memory?
My most embarassing childhood memory has to do with horses. I have a thick massive amount of hair and kids teased me calling me a horse and to "go back to my barn." A few years later I moved to Texas from Canada and the teasing grew stronger. I hated my hair and I did not like horses, for I was always teased and compared to one. My new found friend in Texas had a ranch and invited me over for a horse back ride. Hesitant, I hopped on wearing slick pants and slid right off the horse onto the ground. Embarassing yes and I have now learned to respect horses and got over the hurtful teasing. I am now flattered to be compared to a horse because horses are beautifully muscular.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF durin
g your contest prep? The biggest lesson I have learned about myself is that I am stronger than I have ever imagined. Competing has taught me to go for what I want and keep pressing forward until I get it. It has tought me to be disiplined and know that the reward is better than the temporary temptation. Mentally I have become much stronger, having less self doubt and more self confidence. It has tought me to be a better friend and opened me up to others. I am born in July, which means I'm a crab. Crabs tend to crawl in their shell and hide out, which is what I tend to do at times, but competing has gotten me out of my shell and out of my house and out of my head. Mentally stronger is probably the largest change I have seen in myself through competing. Being proud of your acomplishment whatever the goal which has been reached is, is such a blissful feeling
Who do you look up and admire and why? Yes I do! Everyone needs an inspiration. When I was 21 I had a huge stack of Rx Muscle, oxygen and other fitness magazines. My first girl crush as I call it was on Monica Brant. I love her physique and beauty. In 2009 I had met Monica Brant in person at the Dallas Europa. I had seen her across the room and almost freaked like a little girl at a Justin Bieber concert.. lol. Then I cried and pulled myself together to go meet her. WOW she was so fit I couldn't even imagine how the heck she walked around like that. Then I moved on to Ava Cowan, girl crush number 2. I was able to see her take first place at the Europa in 2011. After that day I decided it was time for me to do my first show. In 2012 I began training with Trish Warren, girl crush number 3, two months after she had her baby girl. Training with Trish has been an unbelievable experience and I think I should pinch myself. I have been able to watch her get to the Arnold Classic one year after having a baby and that has been the most inspiring, motivating and admirable experience to watch my friend Trish Warren do. Thanks Trish for that. Lastly, my boyfriend Jesse James Leyva, my trainer, has taught me so much about myself and how to be strong mentally and physically. He inspires me everyday with his no compromise work ethic! I am happy to say that I am now my own motivation. Looking back at photos from my competitions I pick them apart and that is what I focus on improving for my next show, how cool, I inspire myself! Who would have thought!
Competition history: My first comptition was October 2011. Central Texas Showdown where I entered bikini and figure trying to see where I "fit" in, placing 3rd in figure.
2012 I entered Women's Physique at the first D
orian Yates show placing 1st. My third show was Woman's Physique at the Dallas Europa in 2012, placing 3rd and qualifying for Nationals.
Next competition: I am 16 weeks out from NPC USA's in July 2013. After qualifying at the Dallas Europa I applied for United States Citizenship and April 5th, I will become an American Citizen after waiting 17 years for my Citizenship from Canada. I am so excited to both be an American and compete at the USA's this year.
Favorite Motivational Quote: "Success Trains, Failure Complains." I love this quote! It pushes me through anything I'm struggling with and gets me over the obstacle.
Who would you like to thank? I must thank my beloved Uncle John, He has passed on but in his short time here on earth has fueled my passion for the sport of bodybuilding. Secondly, I must thank Trish Warren for her support and guidence. Lastly, I must thank Jesse my boyfriend and trainer. His belief in me has remained even when I didn't believe in myself. He has pushed me mentally and physically past my comfort and opened my eyes and heart to see things bigger and brighter. I love him dearly for his dedication to help build my physique and mentorship. I could not have done it without him. My friends and family, customers and coworkers for being so supportive. God for protecting me from injury and giving me the ablilty to be physically fit and the glory to inspire others.
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