Issue #41

Contents

Editorial
by Juan Carlos Lopez

2008 California Pro Photos and Results

2008 California Pro Review

2008 Contra Costa Photos and Results

2008 Contra Costa Review

20 Questions with IFBB Figure Pro and Cover Model
Celeste Gonzalez

Video Interview with IFBB Figure Pro and Cover Model Celeste Gonzalez

Ask Misty
by Misty Green

Pictorials
Celeste Gonzalez, Lesley Stamper, Kari Keenan Tiffany Widdifield, Melissa Johnsen

Video Interview with NPC Figure Felicia Bruno

Making Yourself: Career Transition into Nutrition!
by Jean Jitomir

Video Interview with IFBB Bodybuilding Pro Tonia Williams

Good Eating Habits
by Danijela Crevar

Video Interview with IFBB Fitness Pro Tonya Burkhardt

20 Questions with IFBB Figure Pro and Cover Model Celeste Gonzalez

Celeste Gonzalez

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Celeste Gonzalez?

I consider myself as a constant fighter in love with this wonderful sport. I like to be surrounded by good things and good people, always trying to be better in every way of my life, both personally and professionally.  I fight against the adversity and never stop trying to reach my dreams. I remember the day of my first amateur competition (IFBB 2002 Canary Island Championship), when I came down the stage with the trophy being the first classified and the presenter of the event telling me if I will to the national competition because he saw in me things that an international level potential. I remember that night because I dreamt with my idols: Monica Brant, Jenny Lynn... Since that day I continued working hard with a great enthusiasm, always looking forward with very clear objectives. Some of my dreams I have reached and still struggling with all my energy for the missing ones.

 
2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?
I was born in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain, and currently I live there. I have wonderful parents, and a beautiful sister named Erika. They are my talisman, and help me every day to continue fighting for my dreams. They are always supporting and motivating me.
I work in a Supplement shop as the manager in the mornings and at the gym, giving lessons of aerobics and as a personal trainer, in the evenings. Both belong to the same company (Jose Quintero & Sons SL) and I have worked with them for many years. They are like my second family. Since I start competing, they have been always supporting and assisting in my career. I love my job because I help the people to feel better about themselves reaching their personal goals. I'm always surrounded by my family and good friends. I feel very fortunate to have them.

3) How did you start competing in figure?

I used to do classic ballet. I started when I was 14 years old. At 19 I stopped and joined in a gym to keep my figure up. I was introduced to weights & fitness seeing a magazine and I decided that it was what I wanted to do.
First I started competing in fitness class, in 2002, but I had injury in my right knee ligament which prevented me from performing acrobatic exercises correctly, and then continued my career in the figure class in 2004.
It was the most sensible decision for me. Figure is the modality that is better suited to my tastes and my way of being.


4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?

Sincerely, I agree with what the judges want us to show.
The competitors, we have to think that we are the inspiration for hundreds and hundreds of young people who want to look like us. We must be an example to follow and if competitors continue muscle hardness, the feminine charm and naturalness can be lost .I think it's a good decision taken by the directors for the sake of our sport.

5)  What is your idea of what judges want in a Figure competitor? Do you think judges are clear enough with competitors about how they want you on stage? It seems in Europe they are very clear unlike in the USA.

I think that judges want the girls to show a perfect balance between a healthy body and athletic, a female body with curves. What they seek to avoid is that girls are increasingly muscular and the figure line will be lost with excess muscle.

I think that they are very clear, and the thing that we have to do is keep working hard to achieve what they want from us and after each show always try to ask for advice.

It seems that in Spain and Europe the criteria has been unified lately and the physiques are more defined. Until two years back, competitions that took place in Europe were closer to the actual punctuation criteria in U.S.A. Right now, I think that they have gone up a grade in awarding the hardness and definition in Europe, so the criteria’s don’t coincide.

Celeste Gonzalez

6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!

I tried to be better each show. I'm aware that I'm still starting, I have a lot to learn and improve ... and I enjoy doing it! I know I'm going in the right way and I am happy to improve gradually in each competition. I always talk to the judges and they guide me, giving good advices and tell me the things I have to work harder.
The most important thing is: ENJOY COMPETING.

7) What is your typical training routine in the gym (per day, include sets and reps!) How much cardio do you do before a show?

My training routine is changing in each competition, depending on what I have to improve in every case. For the latest competition (California Pro Figure) I was giving special attention to the shoulders and legs.
I adapt my cardio depending on state requirements. Normally I do Stepper machine divided into twice daily, morning and evening.

8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)
Like my training, my diet is changing in each case. I have a rich diet, which included all kinds of food and of course a complete supplementation: Amino-acids, vitamins and proteins.

9) How do you go about dropping your water before the day of the show? How much water do you drink the day of the show. Please be specific.

Drinking water is very important. The body must be hydrated well for the competitions and more for those, like me, that must do long trips in plane for each competition.

10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you looked up to?

I am very motivated because I continued with my work chievement and improve step by step. This gives me more energy to continue competing. It is my honor to compete in the U.S.A. I admire them all, athletes have a great level and preparation.
My great idol is Jenny Lynn. It also admire Monica Brant. Last year I met them in person, in Figure Olympia, and both are charming.
I think both are great divas of the Figure

11) Please tell us an interesting experience you had at a show recently, be it a fun thing or something rather not so fun?

One of the most recent experiences and never forget in my life was the 2007 Figure Olympia. It was a dream come true and I felt very fortunate to participate and not stop dreaming that someday could be done again, so it was very interesting thing and fun because I love to be in the show.

12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed? 

I think the fitness industry, and bodybuilding figure is now booming.
This is a sector that is becoming increasingly strong throughout the world, not only in the U.S., but also in other countries. I think people are becoming more aware of the importance of sport and good nutrition in their lives.

Celeste Gonzalez

13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?

Every day is a challenge to overcome. In my professional life is happening right now. Competing on the professional level is a long and hard road. All athletes are fantastic and have a high level and all, like me, we are fighting every day to be better.
I think this is the challenge more difficult ... but also the most fun and exciting of my life!

14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...
This year I made many changes in my training and in my diet. Last year in Kentucky the judges spoke to me, so I have made changes. I thought by having more mass I was going to place better, but the judges told me had to come down. I am 12 pounds lighter than last year. But I like my new body. It has been hard work but very gratifying, because I have a better waist now and better legs. Like a lot of the girls, I would love to be in the top 3 and qualify for the Olympia.

15) What is your opinion about the 20% rule the IFBB issued to some female athletes in which the more muscular competitors had to loose 20% of muscle mass? Why do you think they did it? Do you think competitors will follow it? Or it will get lost around somewhere?

As I mentioned earlier, I agree with the approach of the IFBB. Managers want to avoid that woman athletes have too much muscle and lose their natural female form. If there is no control over this, come a time when no woman will want to prepare for competition and people do not admire our sport. We have to be an example to follow.

16) Please describe differences in competing in Spain and in North America?

I think the main difference is, as mentioned earlier, the physical criteria are different.

17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?

Since I am an IFBB Pro Figure, I have grown not only as an athlete, but also as a person. I feel the great responsibility of being the example to be followed by many women who want to have a healthy physical and beauty. In our sport, we must help the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry with our example of good health and living habits.

18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?

When I was a girl, I practiced classic ballet for many years until age 19. Then, I left the ballet and started with Fitness
I never did another type of sport!

Celeste Gonzalez

19) What is a typical day in the life of Celeste Gonzalez? From waking up to until going to bed?

My life elapses between my job and my career IFBB Pro. I am fortunate to have the support of my family and my co-workers; they give me all facilities so that I can adapt my schedule and my travels to compete.
On weekends I disconnect from the routine, go shopping, go out with my family and friends ... I have a very busy life but I am immensely happy doing what I like most.

20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do you specifically do in your job?

I work in a Supplements shop as the manager in the mornings and in gym, giving aerobics collective classes and as a personal trainer in the afternoon. Both belong to the same company, Jose Quintero and Sons SL.  I have worked with them for many years.

 

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