| Ali Gascoine is an extraordinary figure who's achieved great things in NZ bodybuilding and powerlifting for that matter. She's won National and International titles in both disciplines but now she feels its time to move on. Yes ladies, this will be Ali's last year of competing (mind you bodybuilders do have a habit of making a comeback!) and the INBA Taupo contest was her last stand on the NZ stage. In this Q & A we ask Ali why she's moving on and what she plans to do in life after bodybuilding. |
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1. Is this really going to be your last year of competition or are you just teasing us? and why have you decided this. Yes, this will be my last year of competing in bodybuilding - my last comp is the ANB nationals in october in sydney. I think its time to move onto something new, as much as I love bodybuilding I also love challenging myself to try new things, and i am happy with what I have achieved in this sport. When I first started in this sport 7 years ago it was a bit different than it is today - back then we had the choice of competing (here in NZ) in a drug tested federation or one that wasnt drug tested - today we don't have that choice, and personally, I think this is dissapointing and part of my reason for moving on. |
| 2. Have you got other sporting ambitions that'll keep you busy? I have been rambling on for ages about competitive indoor rock climbing - I have only tried the indoor rock climbing a couple of times and i loved it, so this is my next challenge I'd hate to think that one day I might sit back in my rocking chair and say 'wish I had done that' 3. You don't usually 'diet' towards a comp but We hear you've actually been 'dieting' for your contests this year starting with the ANB that was in May. How did this diet differ from what you normally do? I decided that because this was my last year I would put everything into it and do my absolute best, which is why I decided to get nutrition advice regardless of where I may place in a competition if I can look at myself and honestly know that i had done my best then that is what makes me happy. |
| Above everything else it has made me eat a whole lot more healthy than iIhave done in the past usually i'd be just grabbing anything i can find for lunch/morning and afternoon tea (cheese scones, peanut butter on toast etc) but by getting advise about nutrition I am actually eating far better choices of meals now, and feeling so much better for it I now eat a very balanced diet, which includes carbs at most meals, right through to competition time, so I never feel terribly flat and always tend to have great energy for my training sessions. 4. Because you're dieting, did this give you a different mindset too? Yes I would say it did change my mindset quite a lot in the past i have competed quite casually and have usually decided to do a comp a few weeks before, whereas this year I have seen a nutritionist and planned my competitions for the year so we know how to get the nutrition spot-on for each comp. |
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5. You've also had to deal with a serious back injury, how did this affect your training? I have a tear in a disc in my lower back - I did this march last year - and as anyone with back injury would know it takes ages to settle :-( It was because of this injury that I have given up powerlifting, but after winning 2 world titles I feel ok about not being able to lift anymore. |
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| Actually to tell the truth, at the time I was really upset and threw a couple of tantrums, but I'm over that now as its time to move forward to new and exciting challenges!) I wasnt able to squat or deadlift at all for about a year, but I am back doing these lifts again, obviously not to the level as I was lifting at before. 6. How did it feel winning the Asia Pacific Champs at the ANB in May? did it feel great beating the Aussies? oh, really emotional! i did try so hard to get things right for this comp and I was over the moon about winning my class, but then to win the overall against all those young gorgeous girls (I was the nana!) it was lovely!!! |
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9. What will you miss about competing when you finally hang up your bikini? oh, some of the people definately - there are some wonderful people in this sport but I will still be making the bikinis and getting to meet new athletes and still see my regular clients, so that is cool. Although I will not be competing Iwill still be involved with the ANB and I would dearly love to see the day that we get a drug-tested federation back here in NZ (I am looking forward to competing in the INBA taupo event this weekend and am very pleased that they have announced that drug testing will be done there) |
| Lisa, thanks for your support for the sport of bodybuilding, you do a great job in presenting this sport for all federations and at all levels Please can I also thank miada for supplying me with the yummiest chocolate protein powder I have ever tasted! Also thankyou to franklin swim sport and fitness who sponsor me with gym membership Ali G 18 August 09 |
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