Jacqui's Pics from @ Europa Show 15 August

This will be your second assault on the Pro shows, do you think you'll more prepared this time round? Definitely.  Last year was a huge learning experience for me, I really didn't know what to expect.  

In what way?  Last year I had 1^st hand experience of some things you don't do, but more importantly I picked up on a lot of things to do, to improve as a pro figure competitor.  

Driving left hand drive cars was ‘exciting' for the first 5-10 mins!    The shows are fantastic, they are organized and promoted at very high standard being professionally run.  There is often a NPC (equivalent to our regional championship shows) show run in-conjunction with the pro class/es. 

At NPC level, figure is divided into 5 different classes, each class will have at least 20 competitors , that's 100 competitors in figure alone!  And some of these are run over 1 day.  The majority of competitors are traveling, just not from the southern hemisphere!  So there is always several tanning booths, hairdressers & make-up artists on site, at the host hotels for the show, offering there services.  These  need to be booked prior to the show, sometimes weeks in advance to secure an appointment - I've already made several bookings for August.

Some company would be great, especially when your nutritionist changes your diet on the spot, the night before the show,  & you're due at your 1st tanning appointment in ¾ of an hour, with a photo shoot following that & then the competitors press conference following that, leaving no time to find a shop with the food you require.   

Did you get much feedback from judges or other athletes about your look at your last comps? 
Yes, I did ask for feedback, so I can understand what the judges are wanting to see and then plan my development with this in mind.   

Any helpful hints?  
Yes, lots.  Figure as we know it in NZ is very different to even the NPC level in the US. Here we are a lot leaner & harder, more like bodybuilding, compared to the immaculately presented lean feminine figure in the states.

What areas have you been working on?
Reducing muscle mass and trying to build a curvy bum!!

And what did you do to improve them? I've been focusing on glutes & hamstrings, while avoiding quads where ever possible. 

Have you made dramatic changes to your diet and/or training for your next competitions?
I've included quite a bit of running, RPM classes & ply metrics training & very very light weight training, which has actually been quite a refreshing change. 

Do you think you'll be as nervous this time round? 
Of course I'll be nervous, but not quiet so stressed hopefully.

How are you going to cope with it and do you any mental cues you go through in your head when you step on stage?
Mental cues - SMILE! 

What are your fellow pro competitors like? Are they friendly, some rivalry or uber professional?

Some are very friendly, some aren't.  But one thing I did notice is there is not the helpfulness like we see here at an amateur show, because helping someone else could result in them beating you, and we're all there to win.

The girls get very glammed up, are you making some changes in this part of your glamourisation process?!! 
Yes, changing my make-up & hairdresser.  Another live & learn experience.  

What kind of expectations/goals are you putting on yourself for the comps? 
To improve on my last results - a top 10 would fantastic
To enjoy the experience & meet some great people & learn as much as possible
To already be planning my next show before arriving home again.