Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On IFBB Womens Physique Pro: Ida Sefland
Category you compete in: W
omen’s Physique
Date of birth: 27.06.85
Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Career: IFBB PRO, Better Bodies Athlete, Key Account Manager, Health consultant.
Competition history: I started “competing” as a child when I was playing handball at a semi-professional level and was on the national team throughout my teens. When I was 20 years old I had a bad injury and started to focus on weight training to build a stronger body. I did my first show in 2010 in figure but was too muscular. In 2011 I competed in classic bodybuilding (it is almost the same as physique) and I won the Nationals and Scandinavian Championship. 2012 was a year off for me where I supported my boyfriend doing his first show; he made it to the finals at Nationals. I returned to the stage at the Arnold Amateurs in March of 2013 and placed 4th. I got the overall at the Loaded Cup in April and I just return home from an overall victory at the European Championship in Women’s Physique in Spain and a PRO Card! :)
Next competition: My pro debut will be at the Tampa Pro August 9-10.
How has your life changed since you adopted this lifestyle and started competing?
It has not changed that much actually, since my everyday schedule has been pretty much the same since I was a young teen. I still work a regular job and I have always trained 1-2 hours after my school or workday and loved that routine. When I was playing handball I spent the weekend away with the team and on the holidays we went to training camps together. Now I can plan my own schedule around the competitions that I choose and I really appreciate that. The biggest change for me is the diet and the need to be very structured, because that’s not my nature. :)
I like to take things as they come and be impulsive, but that doesn't work well with contest prep, so I need to focus on that to produce good results. I must say, that I also depend a lot on my boyfriend and sponsor Better Bodies. I always ask Marcus, my boyfriend, if he is “ready to go” with me, when I want to do a show. We do this together and help each other. I don’t want to ride solo in this sport I need my team!
What have you found to be the best way to balance family, friends, career, this lifestyle, etc.?
For me it is very important to have balance and balance to me is to be able to unfold my personality in every way and to be “myself”. I schedule “ME” time and that covers different needs I have to feel complete. I need a little bit of everything I love to bring 100% into the goals I set up for myself! The small joys in my everyday life gives me fuel to work hard and stay committed when needed. I like to put on suits and high heals and go to important business meetings, to dress up and go out with friends, to make nice food and crash on the sofa with my boyfriend, taking long walks with my dogs, chilling in the garden ect. My favorite zone of daily comfort is working out like a beast in the gym and I am sure that my success in this sport comes from the fact that I love to lift weights!
If you could 
change places with one competitor for the day who would it be and why?
Oksana Grishina! I am a huge fan of her. She looks amazing and her performance really impresses me. I am not good at gymnastics and I really admire people who can move like that! If I could move like that I would feel like an angel…
Name two of the most inspirational people in your life and tell why they inspire you.
I have to say my boyfriend Marcus for being the most honest and warm person I have ever met. It takes courage to be a man like him, who always stands up for him self and the ones he loves and never disrespect others. My parents have to be mentioned. They have made me who I am (literally) and they still play a huge role in my life when I am in need of advice. They always encourage taking the right way and not the easy way, and that it is a very important, difficult and inspirational approach to life!
Tell one recipe or supplement you can’t live without. I just discovered sweet potatos a year ago (it is not growing in North Europe) and I love it. I have been eating them everyday since and I still crave them everyday! :)
Tell about a typical training day for you. What exercises, how many sets/reps…etc…
My workout is always afternoon/evening when I am off from work. I do an old school heavy workout for one body part per day 10-12 reps 4-5 sets. I just keep on till I am DONE. It takes about an hour to burn the energy out off me with working sets, plus warm-up and cool-down.
In closing, who would you like to give a shout out to?
Better Bodies for making cool clothing and supporting me! My improvements with my physique are with the guiding from the hardest working coach out there! I have been working with a prep coach for this season and it has been amazing and very productive for me. So I would like to give a huge shout out to my coach Fakhri Mubarak, he is a great person and the greatest coach!
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