Monique Cormier, who has overcome obesity and severe depression en route to becoming a world class amateur bodybuilder, joins Dave [ ... ]
Spotlight On IFBB Bikini Pro: Kelly Lopez
Category you compete in: IFBB Bikini 
Date of birth: 07/14/1987
Hometown: Reno, NV
Career: Registered Nurse, nail technician
Competition history:
3rd place -NPC Tahoe Show
3rd Place -NPC Sacramento
5th Place -NPC Govenors Cup
1st Place -NPC Cal State
2nd Place/IFBB Pro Card - NPC USAs
Next competition:
NPC/IFBB Sacramento Show and PRO debut
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
I am fortunate enough to have some amazing people who support me and standby me. My two great coaches are always there throwing inspiration and words of motivation at me. My husband, a bodybuilding competitor, knows first hand how crazy things can get dieting, competing, and working and knows how to help bring what my goal is out from underneath all the crap and help remind me of what I am striving for. I strongly believe in having a strong support system, because everyone needs a little kick in the right direction to help get them back on track sometimes.
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural abilit
y is needed to reach the top?
To put forth both of these, a person must have the drive. If one does not have the will power nor desire, than hard work and natural ability mean nothing.
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you?
I absolutely love motivational quotes!! At the facility that I train at a couple times a week with one of my coaches, it has a huge cement wall that is covered in quotes with colorful chalk. Motivational, inspiring, and some are just funny and put a smile on my face.
Give me some examples from your life where confidence has helped you to achieve?
Had the strength and confidence to apply to nursing school, get in, quit my job, moved into a small apartment (since we would not be able to afford the house we were in with the decline in income), downsize to one car, and go to nursing school full time knowing that there was a light at the end of the tunnel and I would get there.
Getting on stage (as shy as I was) and bouncing around popping and flirting and posing in font of complete strangers who were judging me from head to toe.
What do you find the most challenging about competing? I am very calm about the competitions. That is, up until I go to take my fist step on the stage. My stomach drops, and I get very nervous. I use to get stage fright as a child, so that aspect of the bikini competing was the biggest challenge for myself to overcome.
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
Accept the unacceptable
Give 100% and know I did my best regardless of the outcome
Don’t worry about what other people will think
Kindness and respect go
es a long way!
Desire fuels determination
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it?
I absolutely love BSN protein powder. It tastes amazing and I love experimenting with it to make a not so exciting diet more exciting.
Favorite Inspirational Quote:
“Failures are only failures if we don’t learn from them”
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
I wouldn’t even be part of the NPC/IFBB if it wasn’t for my amazing coach/sister/friend IFBB Figure Pro Jessie Hilgenberg. I have always been active in sports and fitness, but never combined the two nor was I aware of the transformation my body was capable of doing. She created a whole new “Kelly” and I have never been happier with the way I look and feel.
My other coach Carlos Madrid at F.A.S.T. has helped incorporate a different style of training that helps me burn more calories in one hour than I would ever be able to do on my own. He pushes and encourages me through-out the entire workout. By incorporating his training style with my other coach Jessie, my physique is at a whole new level.
My husband is my best friend, biggest supporter, and my rock! He deals with all the mood swings, my sassy attitude, and tells me to get over things that I have no control over. I am a very independent person, but having my husband around to support my involvement in fitness competitions is amazing and I wouldn’t change it for anything.
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