Spotlight On NPC Womens Physique Competitor: NICOLE GONCALVES

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Published on Wednesday, 21 August 2013 22:03

Written by Nicole Goncalves

Spotlight On NPC Womens Physique Competitor: NICOLE GONCALVES

 Category you compete in: Women's Physique 

 Hometown: Dos Palos, CA

 Date of Birth: September 20, 1982 

 Career: Massage Therapist specializing in Deep tissue, Sports, and Swedish massage and Trained in A.R.T  At Fresno, Spine and Sport (Fresno, CA)

 Contest History: 

 2010 NPC Central Valley Classic 5th Place Class C ( Figure)

 2010 NPC Pacific USA 2nd Place Class F (Figure) 

 2011 NPC San Diego Classic 8th Place Class F (Figure) 

 2011 NPC San Francisco  Classic 3rd Place Class F (Figure) 

 2012 NPC Los Angeles 1st Place Class B (Physique)

 2012 NPC Tournament of Champions 1st Place  Class B (Physique)

 2013  NPC  JR. Nationals  12th Place Class D ( Physique)

Next Competition:  2013 NPC Nationals  

 WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE WORST PART OF CONTEST PREP AND WHY?

 I come from a very large family and its is extremely difficult to be able to attend every family function. I enjoy being an aunt to six nieces and nephews, however being that I am a commuter and drive an hour to work and home six days a week, sometimes I do not get home in time for my nieces and nephews activities. I try to plan ahead and  to leave work early if possible, but there  are circumstances when my siblings have to change the times or dates and I don't expect them to work around my schedule, so I do my very best to be there as much as I can for them.

WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR WORKOUT SCHEDULE? 

 During a contest prep I get up a 5-6am each morning 7 day a week for cardio, weight train 5 days a week from 12 noon to 2pm will also do my second session of cardio in this time frame (if needed) . I do 3 days on, 1 day off, 2 days on, 1 day off training split to avoid over training. 

WHY DO YOU WORRY ABOUT OVER TRAINING? 

 It isn't that I worry about it, I just know that it's very easy for someone to want push themselves far more than is needed physically. I see it all the time with my clients, they all think the more you train the better you will be.  In reality you are risking yourself for injuries. I am someone that practices what I preach to my clients and need to set an example in the gym. 

IF YOU HAD TO LOSE ONE OF YOUR 5 SENSES WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

 For me that is  actually an easy selection. I would say taste because to me the others are far more important in the experience of living in this world, I couldn't  imagine not being able to hear a  voice of a person  I care for or not be able to look into their eyes or watch life around you change everyday, not having the ability to use the healing gift of massage that God has given me by touch, and the sense of smell is one that can create memories or warn you of danger.

 WHAT WOULD YOU MISS  ABOUT LOSING YOUR SENSE OF TASTE? 

 I would miss being able to taste my favorite foods of course, but like I said the others I feel are  much more important. As long as I am able to eat on my own to survive and don't have a disability like some people do, then  that is all that matters, tasting the food is just a bonus. There are far worse things in life that could happen and I'm thankful to live a some what normal life. 

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 14 and found out at the age of 27 that I have an arachnoid cyst in my brain. Still I am thankful these issues are controlled  and nobody would know unless I told them. Some people who have this seizure disorder can't do anything and are considered disabled, so losing sense of taste is not a big deal to me if I had to.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT THIS SPORT WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

I honestly wouldn't change anything about the sport of bodybuilding itself, it's all about what you as an individual make of it. Nothing about being a competitor is easy, it's hard, but the hard is what makes bodybuilding GREAT.

YOU WOULDN'T CHANG OTHERS PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE SPORT... OR THE DIETING... OR THE CARDIO... OR THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT CONSUMES OR HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS?

 In a perfect world none of these things would be a factor. The sport of bodybuilding isn't perfect, although we all strive to achieve as close to perfection as possible. All of us from time to time have felt the burden of expense, myself included, but I know that it is  necessary for the sport to grow. If there is no revenue coming in, we don't have a sport. As far as the dieting, cardio, and time consumption it's  all a mental game. I look at it as a test to see what I as an individual can handle. I'm not made to any of it, I choose to. I have learned early that people will always fear and question something they don't know anything about, and if they are not willing to be open minded and try understand why we do this, there perception will never be changed. So I don't worry about the negativity of there perceptions, I ignore them. 

 IF YOU HAD A TIME CAPSULE WHAT WOULD YOU PUT IN IT AND WHY? 

 I would put  all of pictures I have to this point in my life of all the people I care for and myself with them. Relationships with people in our lifetime  are what matter most and the memories you make.

 ANYTHING YOU WOULD PUT IN IT TO REMIND YOU OF ANYONE OR ANYTHING? 

 I would put a Sapphire ring that my maternal grandmother Serafina gave me from the Azores Islands, Portugal where she is from long before she passed away in 2005. I also have a rosary that was given to me that belonged to her by my grandfather Joaquin. But that is something that I still would keep because I want to wrap it around my wedding bouquet  when I get married someday and I know that her spirit would be right there with me. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION SPOT? 

 I am a huge fan of warm weather and sunshine so anywhere tropical and not cold. So no skiing for me. LOL

WHERE IS ONE PLACE THAT YOU GONE THAT YOU HAVE ENJOYED? WHY?

 Phoenix, Arizona in the fall. Especially when seeing the Estrella Mountains near Avondale,Az. The sunsets, the slower pace of  living was very relaxing. In California people are always in a hurry everywhere you go, no matter how big or small of a city you live in. 

WHAT ADVICE DO HAVE TO GIVE ANY WOMAN WANTING TO GET INVOLVED AND COMPETE IN THE SPORT OF BODYBUILDING?

 I have had a lot of women ask me for advice who are new to the sport and I simply tell them to be prepared to step on stage because you are making an investment in yourself and to take pride in the journey that  belongs to you. 

WOULD YOU GIVE THEM ANY ADVICE OUT ON HOW TO COMPETE CHEAPER? HOW TO HANDLE THE DIET? HOW TO AMUSE YOURSELF DURING CARDIO? 

 Well, as far as competing cheaper I would suggest for someone doing their first show to either borrow a suit from someone they know, or buy one that somebody wants to sell for less rather than a custom made one, and do their own make up and hair. If they like competing after that and want continue then it's up to them how much money they want to put in to it.

 Cardio for me is a time where I zone out from the world and listen to my favorite music  and try to  think about absolutely nothing. So my suggestion is to think of it as a period of peace of mind.

  Handling  the diet goes back to this being all a mental game and a personal test they will pass or fail and that is entirely up to them which choice they make because they have the control of that.

 WHAT IS A DAY IN THE LIFE OF NICOLE GONCALVES LIKE? 

 At almost 31 years old my daily life is much different than it was in my late teens to mid twenties. I use to say  "everyday is a holiday." Although I have always been responsible when it came to my job and paying my bills, I always was thinking about  where the next party was or crazy get together with friends, what guy I would want to date next, etc.

 NOW I can honestly say my passion for this sport and my ability to help others through pain management, is very fulfilling each day of  my life. I am grateful to have discovered these gifts.

 I also feel I have found inner peace within myself through the grace of GOD that will lead me to other steps in my life that  I haven't yet experienced. 

WHAT DO YOU DO EACH DAY? TELL ME FROM THE TIME YOU WAKE UP TO THE TIME YOU GO TO SLEEP.

 I get up at 5-6am go to the gym to do my cardio. I come home eat my first meal, shower and get ready for work. I drive to Fresno to be at my office by 9am to see my first client and work till 11:30am. Then I leave my office for  the gym to do my weight training. After training I eat my 3rd meal of the day and shower to go back to my office by 2pm and see the rest of my clients till 6pm.

  After work I will tan, go to a personal appt like get my hair done, get in my massage therapy, go to the grocery store, etc. Then drive home to Dos Palos, prepare my meals for the next day, do laundry, if needed and then shower get ready for bed to do the same thing all over again the next day. I know  it doesn't  seem exciting at all, does it? . LOL

FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:

 I have so many  that I love, but I will give the most simple and meaningful at the same time.

 " FAITH in the future begins with FAITH in ourselves." 

IN CLOSING WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO? 

 I have so many people who have made an impact in my life and who have supported me in my journey as a competitor... my family the Goncalves and Bettencourt's. Everyone in Dos Palos, Los Banos, and Fresno, CA who have been supportive and shared  kind words and thoughts along the way.

 My amazing coach Dave Palumbo who has helped me tremendously in the last two years and is there for me when I need him and I'm truly thankful to have him in my life and hope to continue working with him for many years to follow, God willing. 

 Thank you RX and Gail Auerbach for this opportunity as well.....     

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