Jess Coate. The Shape Juggernaut. July 2012

While she had only burst on to the bodybuilding scene at the end of 2010, it seemd Jess Coate's sporting prowess has been on the rise since her school days. A self proclaimed fitness freak, Jess had always enjoyed sports and was pretty good at netball to the point of representing the Wellington u21s and the University team in 06.

However it was also netball that steered the way for Jess to try bodybuilding. She was getting too many injuries playing netball snapping her right ACL twice and had a right Ankle reconstruction. She didn't want to risk snapping her ankle again so took up the less punishing sport of bodybuilding and entered her first comp in 2010.

The rest they say is history. Since stepping on stage in 2010, she's been on a roll winning all before her. Wherever this Juggernaut takes her, we know Jess will remain a humble, cruisy (and sometime late lol) athlete she's always been. In this story we find out more about Jess and how she copes with the pressure of being the current shape Queen.

Tell us a little bit about your background and what you do?
I am 24 Years old the youngest of 4. 1 brother and 2 sisters with 9 gorgeous nieces and nephews. Being part Maori I have a HUGE family which I totally adore however, my immediate family live in Australia and I live, work and train in Hamilton.

I am currently a Self Employed Personal Trainer at First Place Fitness club in Hamilton. I completed my degree in Sport and Exercise Science 2009 from WINTEC Hamilton and I have been at first Place for 4.5 years now. I started off as a fitness trainer while I was studying and I have been fully self-employed now for 1.5 years. Absolutely love my job, making a difference in peoples’ lives. It also gives me the freedom to choose my own hours and still have enough time to train, travel and compete.

NABBA Akl '12

How many years have you been training? How many years have you been competing?
Full on weights training about 2 years now. Never did much weight training before then just the basic light weight high reps kind of training 2x/wk, as my main sport was Netball.

I competed in 2010 a last minute decision after having my first ACL Reconstruction (8weeks out) through NZIFBB and Placed 2nd in my class. Otherwise I took up Bodybuilding again at the end of last year (SEPT 2011), entered into NABBA WGTN SHAPE, again very last minute decision (7wks out). So I would say competing for less than a year.

Have you always been into health and fitness/sports?
YES!! Always!! Was labelled a “Fitness Freak” back in the school days. Always running, Netball, Basketball, Touch, Softball! Anything and everything really, even tried Croquet LOL… That was fun!

My main sport was netball, played it ever since I was a youngin. I am originally from Wellington and so I played representative netball right up to U21s level for Wellington and Wellington Maoris, until I moved up to the TRON. Also made the NZ University Team in 2006, my first year at UNI.

Why did you take up bodybuilding in the first place?
Too many injuries in netball, snapped my right ACL twice and had a reconstructions, also right Ankle reconstruction. Hardest decision ever as my life revolved around netball and running, but I thought even if I had a 2nd ACL reconstruction chances of doing it again would be worse.

So I decided to give it up and enter Shape Class at the end of last year (2011). I wasn’t really thinking I would make a career or even compete more than that 1st comp I was entering, but after winning I thought I may as well give Nationals a shot. I enjoyed Nationals SO MUCH and thus my love for the sport of bodybuilding began.

	NABBA Nationals 2011
Achievements so far? 2010 NZIFBB 2nd Body Figure Waikato 2011 NABBA WGTN 1st Place Shape Class 2011 NABBA NZ Nationals 1st Place Shape Class 2012 NABBA Counties 1st Place Shape Class 2012 NABBA Asia Pacific 1st Place Shape Class 2012 NABBA Auckland 1st Place Shape Class 2012 INBA Auckland 1st Place Shape Class 2012 NABBA Waikato 1st Place Shape Class

The highlight of your bodybuilding career so far? Winning NZ NABBA Nationals Shape Class. First year and 2nd Shape comp. Absolutely stoked and totally unexpected. When’s your next contest? 2012 Nabba Nationals in OCT J followed by NABBA Universe in the Philippines’2 weeks later. Super Excited!

Jess pretty in
pink at INBA '12

You're quite 'the shape queen' right now winning all your shows so far, do you feel the pressure to come in great shape all the time? or do you thrive on the pressure.

A bit of both really. Anyone that knows me I stress A LOT about my physique and condition coming into competitions. Like everyone you always want to look your best and compete in your best shape.

I feel I didn’t hit that point until my last competition NABBA WAIKATO, where I was completely happy with my condition. There is definitely pressure to win when I compete, hence the reason I am 100% focused on my diet, training and posing. I love competition days where you get to meet so many lovely people, eat a bit of junk and drink a bit of wine.

You recently went to Australia for the INBA show, what did you learn from the experience and about how the Aus girls in their presentation etc?
I learnt I need to be more organized and prepared. It popped up last minute, so I had only 9 days to prepare where I dropped 3% body fat and in good condition, only to learn when I got there I was in the wrong class and came in much too lean.

People who know me I’m always late, always the last one ready and on stage. So the class I should have been in I actually missed as got to the stage too late LOL. You live and you learn I still had a great time and of course met some awesome people. I will definitely do it again, plan the trip, enter in the right category and be on time.

I wouldn’t say much is different in regards to presentation, however I will say the Auzzies know how to put on a show and they are VERY confident on stage, something I think I was lacking.

NABBA Waikato '12

You look like you've gained some muscle and you're probably not too far from competing in figure, are you tempted to move in to the figure class? Or are you quite happy to stay with shape.

Yes Lisa I have been training very hard this year, and this is a question I often get asked. I have had thoughts about moving into figure next year but I suppose it will depend on how I do at nationals in Shape this year.

What do you like about the shape class?
I like the “toned” look without being too muscular and the fact you can really look glamorous without having to work to hard on stage when hitting the poses, as shape poses are much more relaxed than figure poses. It is more about body symmetry, and the way you pose to show this to the judges/audience.

Do you have to do much dieting as you seem like you're naturally athletic anyway? or do you still find it hard to eat clean and limit your treat foods.

Athletic- yes, but I am someone who can gain weight very easy. I would say that I train and diet just like a figure girl, however instead of cutting to get leaner I have been trying to maintain my weight, fat and physique since April which I have found difficult on the brain.

I have competed 5 times since April and so luxuries as in food have been limited to post show dinners and that’s about it sadly. What's your guilty food pleasure when you're allowed it? DEFZ CHOCOLATE. Had a chokkie overload since NABBA WAIKATO lol.

Do you have to do much cardio and how much do you do during pre contest?
It honestly really depends what my body fat % is sitting at. My first comp this year not much as I hit my goal % early, but since then I’ve had to add in a bit more 20-40 mins post weight training depending, as I have had competitions very close to each other which means I had to get rid of
the post comp treat meals

What’s the most challenging/hardest part of pre-contest for you?
Waterloading… AHH HATE IT!! Having to overload this small tummy with litres of water.

Supplements you live by during pre contest.
Mostly smashing back the Protein Shakes. Very rarely I will have a pre-supp before a workout, otherwise vitamin powders that I put into my shakes.

Jess and Jake

Have you had a good support network to keep you on track with your contest prep and how have they helped you.
For sure my mum being my number one supporter (you all probably see her comments) lol. Flying all the way from Brisbane to be at my competitions. My best friend who helps me out on comp days. My awesome sponsors from The Protein Shop Hamilton, for all their help, support, ideas, photos, facebook athlete page and supplements.

Jake Campus my nutritionist for keeping me focused, changing my training and diet depending on where I need to be for each comp and all round support. Kaye O’Neil, who I originally found to help me out with my posing and physique. She has always been 100% supportive and she is the one who changed my views on the sport of bodybuilding. She has helped me perfect my posing and on stage presence.

These wonderful people are the reason I have stuck with bodybuilding, they have made my experiences so much easier and much more FUN! Without them I wouldn’t be where I am at the moment and don’t really have words to describe how amazing they all are! BUT thanks for believing in me and always being there! I am a very lucky girl and totally appreciate what you guys have individually done for me.

Have you had a role model who’s inspired you?
Not so much in the Body Building health and Fitness side of things, as this is still very new to me. I have only just started looking online at pro body builders etc and to be honest I don’t even know terribly much about it. I would say my biggest role model in my life would be my mum. Although we have lived apart for 12 years she, like most mothers are inspirational. Her life challenges and success’ to be where she is today has kept me motivated to succeed in everything that I do in life.

What is your ultimate goal in bodybuilding?
The sport is still fairly new to me. I want to be in the best shape of my life at the NABBA Universe Champs in OCT and give that my best shot.

I would like to look into competing full time internationally but at the moment I am focusing on NZ NABBA Nationals and NABBA Universe Champs. Where to from here, I am still unsure as I am quite happy with my physique and don’t want to put on size, so I suppose I will see how far my current physique will take me.

What has bodybuilding taught you?!
Dedication, hard work, and commitment & focus. It has fully changed my life for the better. I am still young, and while most of my friends are still out there partying and enjoying lovely dinners, socialising and drinkys, I am 100% focused on keeping a good physique and a healthy lifestyle.

Not to say theirs isn’t, but most of you who read this know that bodybuilding is a lifestyle. It isn’t like netball and basketball where you can train hard, eat what you want and enjoy your weekends; it is a sport which needs total dedication where you train hard and eat clean 24/7 (apart from the odd cheat).

Anyone who knows me personally, I am a happy wee thing. Very cruisy, but always wanting to make the most out of life. I live by the saying YOLO (You Only Live Once). I take opportunities when they come and always try to make the best of any situation.

Jess Coate
July 2012

Jess Coate. The Shape Juggernaut. July 2012

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