Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On NPC Womens Bodybuilder: Wendy Watson
Category you compete in: Womens 
Bodybuilding
Date of birth:February 18, 1962
Hometown: Suwanee, Georgia
Career: I am an Engineer by degree and work in Business Development for a global manufacturer of engineering equipment. I am fortunate to have a company who is supportive of the time this sport takes and blessed to make a enough money to support my habit!
Competition history:
I started competing in a local organization, SNBF, in 2008 and did four shows with them. I also competed once with IDFA in Calgary, Alberta. I switched to NPC in 2010. Some of my major shows were:
2010 Coastal USA Georgia
Womens Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight-1st Place
Womens Masters Bodybuilding-3rd Place
2011 Southern States Championships Florida
Womens Open Bodybuilding Overall
Womens Masters Bodybuilding Overall
2011 IFBB North American Championships Ohio
Womens Open Bodybuilding-9th Place
Womens Masters Bodybuilding-7th Place
Next competition:
Last year I was 9 weeks out from the North Americans when I got injure
d. I had reattachment surgery for my hamstring that put me out of the gym for 6 months. I am thankful and excited to be coming back to the IFBB North American Championships, August 30th in Pittsburgh.
This time I will be competing as an American after having got my citizenship in December 2012. I had previously competed as a Canadian and was proud to do so but being caught between two countries limited my ability to compete for a Pro card. Gary Udits North American Championships is a great show that gives that opportunity to citizens of Canada, US and Mexico and I love the caliber of competitors.
I am also a huge Steelers fan so I’m excited to be in Pittsburgh and shop for cooler Steelers gear – black and yellow baby!
How has your life changed since you adopted this lifestyle and started competing?
For years I was obese and like most I had a million reasons why I couldn’t exercise. Every Monday my diet was going to start, but was over by Tuesday. When I finally started my journey everything in my life changed – my energy, my health, my confidence. Of course my body was the biggest change and I still can’t believe I can weight 170lbs and be in a size 4/6 after years of being in a 14/16 at a weight close to that. I love how I feel, but I still struggle with my weight – the big girl in me hasn’t left the building. My way of keeping myself in check is to choose a competition and focus on that date. The fear of getting on stage unprepared is more motivating to me than the pizza I want to eat. Once my heads in show mode, the only thing I see in front of me is the goal of taking my body to that level of competition. I jokingly call Bodybuilding my expensive hobby but its really been more like my lifesaver mentally and physically.
What have you found to be the best way to balance family, friends, career, this lifestyle, etc…
I don’t believe there is ever balance – its more like a seesaw that passes through the period of balance on its way to up or down. One day the kids need all your attention, other times work or friends/family. The only constant is the lifestyle and the one thing I have control over. With everything and everyone pulling you every which way, you need to make peace with organized chaos. The biggest lesson my type A personality has learned is to adapt and roll with it. I had always been a planner and freaked when things didn’t go according to my vision. I also suffered like most mothers and career women from guilt that you weren’t giving enough of yourself to any one thing. At the end of the day, you have to learn to let go of all of that and deal with whats in front of you as best you can. For me going to the gym and focusing on myself for a brief period gives me that break from reality and helps me regroup so I can manage the chaos better…..calmly and guilt free!
If you could change places with one competitor for the day who would it be and why?
I would change places with Monique Jones. She is the one to watch but she remains humble as she quietly goes through her journey to dominate the sport. She also has a sponsor, which every girl can use, she is well respected and keeps it about the sport with her full focus on the work required to get there. I would love to have the time, means and ability to compete at the level she is at…..plus I’m 5’3” so if I was Monique I would get to be tall for a day and not have to be on my tippy toes to reach the top of the cable pulley!
Name two of the most inspirational people in your life and tell why they inspire you.
Inspirational people for me are those who have come through significant adversity with grace and triumph and those who give of themselves. I have people in my life like that but if I look to the women in bodybuilding my inspirational people would be Mah-Ann Mendoza and Rosemary Jennings. In 2011, I watched as Mah-Ann came back to the stage after having battled cancer. She walked proudly on that stage rocking her short hair from chemo and she not only was dialed in, she was incredible. It was very moving and I thought if she can do that, there are no limits. Rosemary Jennings became a great friend and mentor to me when I was green as they come. She lives her life humble, confident and with great pride in what she does. She mentors by example and she has helped me be a better person and a better athlete by honoring the sport as she has done and continues to.
Tell one recipe or supplement you can’t live without.
I don’t think I could live without my ALRI Chain’d Out Appletini. Besides the benefits of BCAA’s, it really does taste like you could be sipping on an Appletini…minus the vodka of course…it is show season :-)
I make a protein pancakes that is great when I travel or need something quick and easy. Its a finger food so you can eat them as they are wherever you are – no mess, no microwave. Mine have protein powder, egg whites and almond flour or low carb flour in them. Four give you all your protein with less than 5 carbs….perfect for in car, plane, meetings, etc.
Tell about a typical training day for you. What exercises, how many sets/reps…etc…
I lift 5 days 
a week by body part. Because I am close to show, the weight is light, sets are 4-6 and the reps are high 15-25. The pace is quick as well to get a little cardio effect for the fat burn. I do cardio twice a day because I am 4 weeks out from show so you want to get as lean as possible. I do an hour before breakfast and 30 min to an hour after lifting. Sunday is truly my day of rest but I like practicing my routine and poses on that day. If I really feel separation anxiety from the gym, I will go do some abs but nothing too major.
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
I would like to thank my fe
llow gymrats at Bodyplex in Buford, GA for their support and encouragement and to my kids for their patience and love.
I have been fortunate to have had great people who have helped me along my journey as a bodybuilder such as my mentors Alex Ramirez and Rosemary Jennings. This show prep has been no exception so I wanted to make sure to thank the team of experts who have been there with me every step. I have a great chiropractor Dr. Wiskind, who keeps me in line literally and figuratively, my massage therapist Libby who specializes in fascial stretch therapy that has helped significantly since my hamstring injury last year, to Beverly at Win Win Nutrition and Supplements who has been supplying my habit and last but certainly not least, thanks to Matt Secrest of Hardcore Muscleworks, my mad chemist. Matt has a gift in knowing how to combine food, supplements and workouts to get your body where it needs to be. Thank you for always being there when I had those moments of doubt – it meant a lot that you never did.
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