Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On: NPC Bikini Competitor Bekah “Brick House” Baker
Category you compete in: National NPC B
ikini Division - Team Bronzed Divas
Date of birth: March 22nd, 1978
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Career: Mommy to 4 awesome kids. Domestic Diva. Motivational Speaker. Fitness Model. Co-Owner of Pro Body Supplements.
How does your family respond to your competing? My kids think it’s the coolest thing ever & have my competition pictures up on their “About my Family” posters at school! Keith, my husband of 15 years, is also 100% supportive! In fact he became so inspired he dropped 20lbs & became the very first Washington State Overall Men’s Physique winner when the division began last year! We have a blast competing together & it’s nice we eat the same types of foods even though I eat about a third of what he does!
My Mom on the other hand, was totally against it at the beginning. Eventually she realized my passion was real & that my journey as a mom just desperate to “get my sexy back” was a commendable one. She finally asked to go to the gym with me & subsequently lost 70 pounds! She later admitted her true reason for being judgmental was her own frustration at my determination to be fit when I already weighed 80 pounds less than her! She’s now living her life to the fullest & the happiest I’ve ever seen her! The lesson we’ve all learned is realizing just because one person wouldn’t do a particular thing doesn’t mean it’s wrong for another. We all have our own unique paths & motivators & we need to stop getting so caught up in what we think is right or wrong for us personally that we forget to celebrate each other’s accomplishments!
What kind of 
goals have you set for yourself, short term and long-term? I want to become an IFBB Bikini Pro. Be a spokes model for supplement companies whose quality products I enjoy using. Continue to do fitness modeling & hosting local bodybuilding shows, both of which I truly love to do. I’m currently in talks with a fitness magazine about doing monthly features about balancing life as a women, living jam packed busy lives. Fun fashion tips, workout moves of the month, relationship pointers, mommy moments & inspirational messages. I might not be a professionally certified life coach but I am a woman whose been married 15 years with 4 kids & I've learned a lot along the way that I think will encourage other women! I also want to pursue more opportunities to do motivational speaking inspiring all woman that it's NEVER too late to get your sexy back!
Most importantly I want to be a voice in the minority community, that we’re NOT “just built this way.” Our bones are the same size as everyone else's! We CAN choose to eat clean & exercise. We CAN have fit & healthy bodies filled with energy & be an example to the next generation. We CAN break the cycle of obesity in our community! Black woman are 70% & Black girls are 80% more likely to be obese than their white counterparts. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure, high levels of blood fats, and LDL cholesterol -- all risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Deaths from heart disease and stroke are almost twice the rate for Blacks as compared to Whites. These are staggering statistics that I am passionate about changing one life at a time.
What's currently on your iPod? Gospel in the morning for intervals: Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, TyeTribbett, Fred Hammond.At the gym it's a little more hardcore: Sean Paul, Pitbull, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Ludacris (Clean radio versions though! LOL!)
What are your hobbies and interests outside of the bodybuilding world? I LOVE fashion, I might have a slight shoe addiction (the higher the heel the better) & I’m ALL about finding awesome deals! ROSS, TJMaxx, Marshall's… Those stores make me happy! Ha! I enjoy being a stylist for my friends. It’s not about how much money you spend, it’s all about fit & attitude! What does your clothing say about you? It matters – Be fit, fierce, fabulous & unapologetically YOU!
Do you have a favorite exercise? Right now it’s Rack Pulls because I just recently started doing them & those suckers pump up the booty like nothing else! But overall, Reverse Hack Squats were the magic move that finally popped out my deeply buried hamstrings & built a fantastic booty on me to begin with, so that one has to be my favorite!
Competition history:
2011 NPC Junior Nationals Class F - 12th
2012 NPC Northern Classic Class C - 3rd
2012 NPC Northwest Championships Class D - 3rd
2012 NPC Excalibur Class D - 10th
Next competition: I’m VERY excited to have turned 35 this year & will be hitting the 2013 stage in the Master's Division for the first time! New coach, new team & new body!
July 5-6th, 2013: Team Universe - Open Class F & Masters Over-35
July 19-20th, 2013: Masters National Championships - Masters Over-35
Favorite Fitness Tip:You can n
ever out run a bad diet! Learn how to properly fuel your body & maintain a fit physique through balanced nutrition instead of endless (metabolic damaging) cardio sessions. Train smarter not harder so your fitness can actually be a healthy way of life instead of a few hours of looking good onstage with a damaged weak body.
Who would you like to thank?
Always first & foremost, my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. He rocks, I love him & he's been so good to me! My husband Keith for always being so supportive & our kids, Isaiah, Justin, Kya & Anthony.My parents for being awesome babysitters while we're gallivanting around the USA competing.The BEST training coach, nutrition genius & booty building expert on the planet CJ Harris owner of Body Management Group. My posing coach & friend IFBB Pro Ruthie Harrison & all my diva/bootylicious sisters on Team Bronzed Divas! And of course RXGirl for giving us athletes an awesome platform to share about our fitness journeys! Thank you! More info at www.bekahbaker.com or follow me on Instagram: #brickhousebaker& Facebook: "Brick House Baker"
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