Mandi's ANB Aussie Mission, Mar 10

How many years have you been training?
19 years resistance training, athletics from age 5, & aerobics from about age 11...forever a work in progress!!

Why did you take up bodybuilding in the first place?
Liked the toned look & I didn't have to fit in with a group fitness timetable to train! Enjoyed the discipline, & I was teaching Group Fitness Classes since I left school so the weights complimented that & then my workmates encouraged me to compete...(back in the old Lifestyle Gym days - Kerry Johnson, Paul Buckingham, John Leonard, Phily Nuku) so I thought ‘why not?'.

You've competed in both physique and bodyfitness?  Do you prefer one over the other and why?

Yeah, I actually prefer the softer "gorgeous" look of the Bodyfitness package & the presentation & bling!!!!! 

But the challenge of the muscle hardness & separation required by physique is ultimately what tests your body & mind to get yourself there & is very satisfying.  Posing is also so much fun & great to look back on photos to compare how you think you were looking!! LOL

Ha ha ha...what can I say?  Just because I've always competed mainly in physique doesn't mean I didn't wear heels when I went out!!  All those younger years of drunken clubbing & dancing paid off aye!!

I actually bought one of your posing videos & I studied all of the figure girls on my Nationals DVD's, then practice practice practice...Jo & Mark Stewart gave a few of us girls some really valuable posing tuition when we were altogether at Coogee Beach for Australasians in 2007 & I will always be grateful for that.   

Body Fitness posing was fairly simple compared to figure with only ¼ turns.  Just had to be careful with flexing too much muscle!  Interesting trying to figure out what the judges were looking for from comp to comp as I was getting a lot of differing feedback from both Regional Judges & International...so I just went for it & had fun coz you can't change their decision on the day...anyway it kept my flow of PT clients going so I must've been doing something motivating which is a big reason for competing...TO INSPIRE OTHERS TO BE FIT & HEALTHY!!

What is your competition goal now?  Do you know if you'll go figure or physique? Or keeping that a surprise!

Well I just want to get up there & compete again with great friends I have made in this sport & have a fun time away so I'm gonna give the ANB Asia Pacific Champs a go for something new(& a Gold Coast quick getaway)...Haven't decided yet on which class, I'm just training & dieting like a mad-woman as usual & will see how the bod shapes up!

With my long limbs I should probably give figure a go but again the fun of physique poses may win me over!

Why are you choosing to compete at the ANB Asia Pacific Champs in May?

Because at NZFBB Nationals last year some of the figure girls backstage were talking about going over & talked me into it, also it's supposed to be a drug-free competition so I thought WHY NOT?

What areas of your physique have you been working on and how did you improve them?

I've been working on EVERYTHING with a passion...Shoulders & legs & abs have probably been slightly more of a priority for me but as usual it will be the leaning out test & how hard can I make my arse this year? LOL Cardio, running, walking, RPM...my dog is a fit wee Mojo...& a steady supply of protein powder, chicken & turkey breast, egg whites, fish, seafood, veni, oats, kumara, veg, glutamine, HMB, thermos, fat-burners, water, coffee, fish oil & flax seed oil, water.............  

We hear some of your training sessions are very hardcore ie training in the 500 rep range!
Why?? Tell us about it and give us an exmaple of what you'd do in that session

Yeah I was doing the high rep thing pre-Nationals last year on the advice of Kerry Johnson & I throw them in every now & then to shock my body & if I want a cardio-style weights workout. It became a bit of a competition between myself & some of Kerry's clients so we motivated each other when we bumped into each other at the gym for our workouts as we would say "How many did you do?" & then go away and try to do more than them!!

OR:  8 different Chest exercises but do a heavy set of 10 supersetted with next exercise 10reps, then rest.  Do 5 sets of 10 for everything(4 blocks of 2 exercises)

So you end up feeling smashed & have done 400reps.  I LOVE SUPERSETS he he he... I like them as it gets the job done fast & keeps you focused on your session!

What's a sample of your weekly training split?
Mon      Chest am or pm, bi's & tri's at opposite end of day
Tues     Heavy Leggies: Glutes Quads & Calves
Wed      Back
Thurs    Lighter leggies: Hammies Adductors Abductors
Fri        Shoulders
Sat       Nothing or an upper body pump-up mix!!
Sun       REST

When and How much cardio do you do each day during pre contest?
Whenever I can fit it in around clients...30 to 60mins per day &/or a 30-90 minute Mojo walk depending on condition, weather, time, work etc...

Do you train with a training partner? How have you helped each other train beyond the pain!?

YES!!  I have multiple training partners!! LOL...Lisa King, Irene Braithwaite, Helen Clarke, Lauren Turner, Mojo...yeah we are all like-minded people & we keep going as we know that if we don't do it then it's gonna do our heads in for the rest of the day & we won't be satisfied with our workout!! Mad aye?

But too true! We push each other & take turns ‘running' the workout as some mornings I'm a zombie & need someone to think for me & some mornings they need me to think for them!!  And that way we get a varied session each time too!!

Yeah but only really the addition of more carbs & a bit of icecream & junkfood & booze in the weekends!! Protein always stays up as better energy management & recovery for work & training...you can't train clients & be motivating at 5:30am with a gutload of booze & shit food the night before & feel unfit & slothlike!

How long is your precontest diet?  Do you give yourself a ‘vice' during your diet and what sort of treat would you have?

Precontest things start to get tightened up gradually from 20 weeks or so out as it's a gradual mindset & lifestyle subtle changes for me rather than cold turkey for a short time as it's never long enough!! Depending on how things are tightening up, then decisions are made whether to take anything more out of diet or not!!

My vice would be Sprite Zero in a Champagne flute...lol...& diet Bundaberg(gingerbeer & lemon-lime & bitters!), yeah I know but the risks of artificial sweeteners outweigh the sugar load of alcohol & sugar drinks for me at this stage!

Occasional brunch out on weekend but careful with food choices & have a good weights & cardio session same day.  Actually my favourite treat is Vogels Café-Style Lite toasted Muesli with Kapiti Fig & Honey Ice Cream mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!  It seems to happen on a Sunday afternoon or evening for some strange reason LOL (start Monday mentality!),that's gone now though...;-(   If  I'm gonna cheat on my diet, I only cheat on protein...but too much & it will come back to bite you on the arse!!(by sticking to it!).  

What was the most challenging part of pre-contest for you?

Making the decision to do it & follow through! AND taking out the wine!

What do you think are some of the mistakes athletes make when preparing for a show? Ie food, training etc.

Pigging out on crap food the night before a show...& eating too many lollies & sugary treats the day of the show & they look like crap at evening which may have consequences if they are up for the overall prize!

Not planning for the AFTERMATH!!!  Many EXPLODE afterwards by not continuing training & being sensible with their nutrition!

What one piece of advice would you give to women who want to compete?

AAAAAArgh!! Don't  do it!  Ha ha ha , No....train hard, eat your lean meat & protein, cardio cardio cardio, respect your relationships around you & JUST DO IT!! Xxx

Oh & use New Zealand trainers as they are some of the best in the world!

Mandi
31 Mar 2010