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: Heather Nappi
Category you compete in:I will be making my Pro 
Figure Debut on May 11th at the Powerhouse Pro/Am after competing in the bikini division
Date of birth: 8/5/1983
Hometown: Ashtabula, OH (I currently live in Michigan)
Career: Law Clerk (hoping to find out my Bar Exam results shortly so, soon to be attorney ;) )
Competition history:
2010 Natural Northern MI: Overall Champion
2010 Natural Northern USAs: 2nd place Class C (national qualification)
2011 NPC Pitt Championships: Class B Champ
2011 NPC Eastern Seaboards: Class C Champ
2011 Jr. Nationals: Class E 2nd
2011 Team Universe: Class E Champ **Earned Pro Card**
2011: IFBB Ft. Lauderdale Cup: 5th
2011 Miami Pro: 5th
Next competition:
2013: Powerhouse Pro/Am: TBA (my pro figure debut!!!!)
What do you feel is the WORST part of contest prep?
I try to enjoy every moment of my prep to be honest; however when my diet and cardio changes so does my mood and appetite…..sometimes not for the better I have to admit!
Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule?
In the offseason I workout 6 days a week. I do cardio each of those days for about 40-50 minutes and what I do varies between the stair stepper, cybex arc, and treadmill. I weight train five days a week. During my contest prep I still weight train five days a week and do cardio 6 days a week. As I get closer to the show my trainers will increase my cardio and cut me back on the weights (specifically my leg training) if necessary. But I love to lift which is one of the main reasons I made the switch to figure!
If you had to lose one of your 5 senses, which one would you prefer to lose and why?
I would definitely want to lose my sense of smell. I can smell EVERYTHING. I swear my sense of smell is as good as a dogs! One time my boyfriend was sitting next to me and I was like, "Do you have bubblegum flavored gum in your pocket?" And sure enough the seal was not even broken on the pack of gum and I smelled it from a couple feet away. I guess wh
en your appetite is going crazy you can smell just about anything!!
If you could change one things about this sport what would it be?
I would create my own division called the “fikini” division. Even though there are differences between the bikini and figure physique, I believe that the bikini girls should have a little muscle (nice shoulders, midsection, legs, and glutes). This division is for the girls, including myself when I competed in bikini, who have a little too much muscle for bikini and are borderline figure. One thing I will miss is the bikini posing so this division would wear a bikini and do the bikini posing too! Maybe one day…….lol
If you had a time capsule what would you put inside it and why?
I am totally a picture person. I have a lot of scrapbooks and photo albums from when I was a baby all the way through my college athletic career. I hope to start putting one together for my competitions too. To this day I love looking back and remembering everything I have done in life. It makes you realize and also makes you grateful for what you have today.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
What is a vacation??!!! lol! I love the beach and dolphins so anywhere that is warm and by the ocean I would enjoy. I also just visited Colorado this past August and loved it there! Not only was it beautiful but the weather was gorgeous. I am definitely going back this year!
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 give is hire a well known and reputable trainer. I feel like I have worked with the best in the industry (Nicole Wilkins and Team Bombshell) which has given me great results and support. We are our own worst critic so having a second eye to critique our physique is important especially when it comes time to cut for a show. When I began competing in July 2010 I actually googled and found Nicole Wilkins. I also saw at that time she lived in Michigan which was just an added bonus. You also have to choose a trainer that suits your needs. I have done nothing but online training which works for me because I motivate myself in the gym and push myself hard every day; however, if you need that extra motivation or need day to day guidance see if there is a good trainer in your area to help you out. NEVER be afraid to reach out and ask for help. I would never have gotten to where I am today without the help and support of my trainers, teammates, and friends.
What is a day-in-the-life of Heather like?
A day in the life of me is crazy!!! lol. I get up at 4:30 A.M. to do my weight training and cardio. I then work as a law clerk (hopefully soon as an attorney) from 9-5. During contest prep I usually have to go back to the gym after work. On the weekends I love to go shopping, to the movies, hang with my friends/boyfriend, and just enjoy some R&R, since I do not get much of that during the week! I am also a Team Bombshell regional trainer so I coach the girls mostly on the weekends as well.
Favorite Motivational Quote:
“I don’t believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be.”—Ken Venturi
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
I would like to give a shout out to my trainers Shannon Dey and Rob Rosetti of Team Bombshell who have helped me so much in my competing career; all of my teammates, friends, and family for their constant support; my boyfriend Aaron Messer for being my morning cardio buddy and for his support; my sponsors MuscleEgg Egg Whites, LightWeight Fitness Gear, Nuts N’ More, and Metabolic Nutrition for all of the products and support they give me during my prep and year round; and lastly RX Girl for this interview.
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
