Naera Johnson - Page 2

What was the most challenging part of pre-contest for you?
Fitting everything into a day, work, training, cardio, having time for yourself to relax as well as making time for friends and family.

You've made a big improvement in your physique since winning the NABBA Nationals, especially in your legs. How did you get them to sharpen up?
I just continued what I was doing up to the Nationals to lose another few % body fat.

Have you had a role model who's inspired you?
I have been inspired by many women throughout my journey, Eleanor Stewart, Stevie Lazenby, Jo Stewart all fantastic New Zealand Women athletes who have inspired me. Then of course you have the Internationals such as Lenda Murray and Cathie Priest among two of my favourites.

Has competing at International level always been your goal?
Absolutely!!! To compete internationally and win would be the ultimate.

What images/expectations do you have of your competition at Universe? does that excite or scare you???!!!

Well I did scare myself initially by checking out the Nabba Universe Website and took a look at the past winners. My goodness the girl who won the past two years running is big!!!! Having scared myself, it also encouraged me to work hard to be the best that I can be on the day.

I am really excited it will be fantastic to travel there; and to do the show will be a huge excitement for me. The logistics of food and water retention are all unknown to me so I’ll be working with that as I go along. I was lucky enough to speak with Helen Aloai at the show, she has been to Germany twice and placed 2nd, which is a major achievement. Helen was able to answer some of the questions I had and give me some advice.

Also Jamie has been to Germany to compete as well so I’ve been picking his brain every opportunity. I will be travelling with Tarren Mccall so I am relieved to have such a good travelling companion.

What advice would you give to some of the ladies who might be 'late bloomers' who think they might be too old to give competing a go.
First of all they need to seek advice from a Trainer or Nutritionist who specialises in Body Sculpting or Body Building, Just to give them a
realistic picture of where there physiques are in terms of body fat, mass and their overall body shape. Once they have established that make some goals in terms of what they need to work on and look at a contest date so that there are firm goals of what is to be achieved and in what time frame.