Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight on NPC Figure Competitor: Shawn Carla
Category you compete in: Figure
Date of Birth: 9/20/1981
Hometown: Gainesville, VA
Career: Owner of Competition Couture (www.CompetitionCouture.com
Competition History:
NPC VA Grand Prix, June 2012
NPC Max Muscle, April 2012
NPC Jr USA's, May 2011
NPC Max Muscle Competition, April 2011
NPC Nationals, October 2010
IFBB/NPC North Americans, September 2010
The Knoxville Classic, August 2010
Figure Competitions
Junior Nationals, June 2010
Southern Classic, June 2010
Figure America; November 2009
Eastern Tennessee Sports Expo; October 2009
Tennessee State Show; August 2009
Knoxville Classic; August 2009
Next Competition: June 22nd: Garden State Classic then Team Universe
What do you feel is the WORST part of contest prep?
The last few weeks. At this point your head really starts to mess with you. You're feeling weak and tired and hungry and just want to sleep... not go hit that second round of training. If you're manipulating your macros and micros you see your body shrink and grow in the matter of minutes and your brain goes "What the F!"
That for me is the hardest part... those last couple weeks mentally and physically are what makes you or breaks you!
Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule?
I almost always lift in the morning. Depending on where I am in my prep or my off-season I do cardio right after lifting or I'll do it in the afternoon on my lunch break at work. My training program is always changing but I do like to lift in the morning when I'm fresh and full of energy.
If you had to lose 
one of your 5 senses which one would you prefer to lose and why?
This is a tough one. Probably the one I need the least is the sense of taste. I have adjusted my mentality over the years to use my food as fuel and not live to eat. Now don't get me wrong... I still love the taste of great food! But over all I think I could handle loseing that a lot easier then I could anything else. This reminds me of that old Everybody Loves Raymond episode where Frank loses his sense of taste while taking pills to help with his love-life. He said he'd rather have his sense of taste! Not me! ;)
If you could change one thing about this sport what would it be?
The negativity! My goodness I cannot stand when people bash other competitors and trainers and coaches just because they think their own method is superior. You can still think you have the best training and diet ever without dogging out everyone who does it a little differently then you do!
If you had a time capsule what would you put inside it and why?
Pictures of everyone and everything in my life. Even now I have tons of framed photos of my family and friends and dogs. I see photos online all the time but rarely do people actually have pictures you can touch and feel anymore. Pictures to me help to hold on to memories.
What is your Favorite vacation spot?
Vegas. Simple and to the point. You can do everything there or nothing there all at the same time.
What advise do you have for women who would like to get involved in and compete in the sport of bodybuilding?
Take your time. Bodybuilding is an art. You have your entire life to shape the physique you want. Take the time to enjoy the entire process. Enjoy eating a ton of food in your off season to help you grow. Then enjoy the hunger pains as you diet and feel your body shedding that fat. Feel each rep in your muscle bellies and prepare to present your best package on stage every time. Practice your presentation for stage ALL YEAR. That way when you get on stage you just flow and can absorb that spotlight hitting you. You're on stage for only minutes of this journey... you need to love ALL of it!
What is a day-in-the-life of Shawn like?
Every day is different! But the first thing I do is I get up and put a cup of coffee on while I walk my dogs. I enjoy my coffee then make breakfast and hit the gym. The rest of the day I'm glued to my calendar depending on clients I have booked and my job at the gym. Between fittings, posing sessions and hair and makeup consultations, I create patterns, and stone and sew suits. I also run billing and sales at my gym. I conference with my business manager (who is also my husband) and go over financials and marketing strategies each evening. Then I walk the dogs for the second or third time of the day and hit the bedroom for some TV and sleep!
Favorite Motivational Quote:
"We all have weaknesses, it's how we handle them that counts."
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout o
ut to?
My sponsors Liquid Sun Rayz. My coach for the last three years, Mike Davies.
My family and most important my husband. He is the one that has to deal with me when prep stress gets the best of me! I need to thank him for always supporting me in my decision to compete and understanding my drive for success.
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