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Seeing Kara O'Halloran on stage was a rare sighting akin to seeing Hayley's comet - in that she doesn't compete that often. So we decided to catch her for an interview before she goes off into hiding until her next show...whenever that maybe! When we saw Kara backstage at the INBA Natural Classic Auckland, she looked lean and on form. But it wasn't till she stepped under the lights that we saw just what great condition she was in and amongst the excellent lineup of Open girls that day, Kara really stood out. |
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| For Kara, competing isn't about trophies and the number of comps she can do. Bodybuilding comes second after her family and contests are done if they fit in with her lifestyle which makes Kara a unique figure indeed! | ||
Occupation: Health and PE HOD/TEACHER (shared HOD position) Age: 30
Family: Fiance and Step-son (9yr) Lives in: New Plymouth
Height: 1.68 Contest Weight: 57-60kg Off season Weight: A range!!!!
Have you always been into fitness and exercise? What did you do before bodybuilding?
Always!! Went to the gym from school, didn't do much weight training because everytime I did I got scared as my body changed -loosing my bust but gaining in other areas so I would pull back and focus on cardio more specifically- les mills classes- my first passion was step- then combat which I now instruct and is my favourite, I also teach RPM and did the odd pump class. That was up till about 7yrs ago when I decided to do a bit more weight training and feeling more confident in myself as a person to deal with the changes it made which was going from a healthy C cup 2 nothing!!!!-Trade off was I felt stronger and loved the type of training. I changed gyms and learnt a we bit more about weight training especially my legs so additional to classes I added this to my training regime.
What inspired you to take up bodybuilding in the first place?
I am always looking for a new challenge or project and always have to be on the go- it was a natural progression for me as there were a lot of bodybuilders at my gym and I was pretty much there spending the time and doing it anyway so after being approached by many I thought I would ask an expert who trained at my gym- Danielle Manu. She was an inspiration, she had so much time for me and really educated me on the sport. We trained together and she taught me a lot. She also got me hooked up with Kaye O'Neill who gave me training and diet programs and the journey began!
This was 4 yrs ago. For my win at the nationals 2008 I was really struggling to get motivated so I teamed up with a popular personal trainer Brent Taylor who owns Symmetry and he was awesome! He went above and beyond with his ongoing support and friendship and my success was definitely attributed to this. I also continue to see Kaye as she is such an inspiration to me and her advice and guidance has been extremely helpful as she has such a wealth of knowledge and experience.
How many years have you been competing? Your achievements?.
4yrs
2007- Novice figure tall 1st
2007- Nationals 2nd
2007- Taranaki show Open figure tall 2nd
2008- Nationals Open figure tall 1st
2010 INBA Open figure 1st, Overall figure champion
You're a PE teacher, what do your students think of your competing and have they seen you in a bikini. What's their reaction. Do you think you inspire them on a fitness lifestyle?
It definitely makes me more credible in some ways- they are curious about the sport and have a million questions just like most people when you go out and that's all they want to talk about. No they have not seen me in a kini I don't believe its very appropriate and I'm the kind of person that doesn't really make a deal about things- I like to fly under the radar rather than be the center stage person if you know what I mean. They see the changes and I describe what happens and answer the questions when appropriate about diet mostly, training, supplementation, tanning!
We don't see you on stage very often. Why is that? I do it when it suits my lifestyle, family comes first.
You really wowed us with your super lean and hard condition at the INBA Natural Classic. What's your secret? I've been eating clean since the end of Jan- I had some pies to loose!!!Your legs were also in great condition. Do you have some secret cardio/leg exercise that you can let us in on. No secrets I didn't really weight train my legs because they were already established.
What is your typical diet when you're dieting for show. As above lots of veges, fish eggs, chicken, fish and tuna!!!
What is a typical day in your training programme? I did weight training very light 3 times a week and lots of cardio, 45-1hr in the morn. 25-30 after weight training. On non weight training I did 45-1hr cardio in the afternoon.
Did you let yourself put on much weight in between your comps? Depends when your talking about- in the beginning no didn't put much weight on but having the massive break between the last 2 comps I did- yes I did.
Did you had any cravings during your diet, if so, how did you overcome them?
When I first started I had a craving for peanut butter, then the marmite but got over it and I was pretty sweet because I was very focused- it's a mental game!!
Do you give yourself a treat meal/day during your pre contest prep? What do you indulge in?! Yeah sushi- ninja I would have a small salmon and green salad no dressings and broccoli.
Supplements you live by during pre contest. Mitotropin, L carnitine, multi, flaxseed oil, protein powder, st johns wort
How do you manage your day active PE job while dieting? I have very supportive colleagues and I've been doing this job 8yrs now.
Also how did you work around your family duties, did you have a supportive network so that you could do everything! Couldn't do it without my families support and encouragement they were great and very understanding
Have you had a role model who's inspired you? Michelle Nazaroff
You certainly have the potential to compete at National and International level? Does that level of competition interest/motivate you and why? Yeah it could do depends if it fits into my life and I only say this because you never know what could happen or opportunities come your way so I can never say never again!!!!
What's your ultimate goal in Bodybuilding? Eat clean, train hard, have balance with other components in my life.
What advice would you give to girls and women who want to compete? I wouldn't give advice it would just depend on the question they asked me in the first place otherwise I wouldn't be saying anything.
Kara O'Halloran
3 June 10
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