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20 Questions with Cover Model Casey Samsel
1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Casey Samsel?
I am from a very small town named Bloomsburg, located in Northeast Pennsylvania. There is not much to do in this area besides go out on the weekends and work. While living in Newark, NJ for 2 years I discovered that I was a phenomenal bikini athlete. Now, back in Bloomsburg--I continue to live my bikini dreams and am taking plenty of beautiful girls with me! I am now a competition coach and a small-town celebrity. I am very thankful for the friends and family that I have here.
2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?
See question 1
3) How did you start competing in bikini?
I lived in Newark, NJ for 2 years and that seems to be the "trend" in that region. Some people make it and some do not, but many have tried. I do not know where I would be today if I never placed 1st in my very first competition.
4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show?
Soft or hard?
I believe that the bikini division should be lean, distant from striations, full appearance (no bones protruding, and overall, symmetrical in that the top of our body be just as conditioned as the bottom and vise versa.
5) What is your idea of what judges want in a bikini 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 and now in Canada things are confusing.
See question 4
6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!
There is ALWAYS room for improvement. If something is working for you, continue to do it--if something is not, then there is many ways that people can improve. For myself and I believe any IFBB Bikini competitor, we are constantly switching up our glute routines! This prep I have been working on bringing them up, tightening, and finding that full roundness.
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?
Tough question! No routine is ever the same! My workouts very from heavy, light, fast, slow, with pulses, half-reps, pauses, etc.
8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)
My pre-contest diet has also changed with every competition. A few things that remain the same are: Water decrease and slow increase along with carb decrease and a sudden increase about two days before the stage. Everything else pretty much remains the same! My pro debut in May will have an entirely different approach to peak week.
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.
Typically, a gallon Sunday, 3/4 gallon Monday, 3/4 gallon Tuesday, 1/2 gallon Wednesday, 1/2 gallon Thursday, 32-48 oz on Friday, and sipping on Saturday until prejudging.
10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you looked up to?
My motivation is myself. I was never good at much growing up and I certainly found something that I'm good at. Doing well with bikini competitions has made me love the process. All of the dieting, hard workouts, preps, and show preparation keep me motivated! I look up to many fellow IFBB Pro Bikini competitors, but there are also some NPC competitors that keep me inspired to do what I do everyday. One of them is my very own Bikini client and friend.
11) Please tell us an interesting experience you had at a show recently, be it a fun thing or something rather not so fun?
My most recent experience was when I won my Pro Card at Gary Udit's North American Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa. I was very relaxed and ready for this show. Mentally and physically I was centered and I ended up walking away with 1st place and my Pro status. A huge thank you to my boyfriend who made me keep my feet up and relax the entire day!
12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed?
I don't think about it too much. Odds are the competitors in those divisions already have enough opinions! Don't we all just wish it was always our way or the highway!? Haha!
13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?
The hardest challenge outside of competing is definitely trying to maintain a social life while keeping your goals in mind.
14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...
Always changing!
15) What do you think of bikini division?
I love the bikini division! The criteria for this division is always a challenge!
16) What are your favorite foods to eat right after you compete on a Saturday night?
Hawaiian pizza and airheads!
17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?
Grew up in a small town where half of the town is on welfare and the other work 40+ hours a week for minimum wage. My hometown is very homely and has always been a great place to grow up in. I know everyone by first name and most by their last--and probably know who their parents are! Haha. Bloomsburg University is the focal point of the town and is also where I found some extra knowledge after high school. Low crime and plenty of places to hang out so I can't complain!
18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?
I played soccer, ran track, and threw javelin for my high school.
19) What is a typical day in the life of Casey Samsel? From waking up to until going to bed?
Up at 9am, breakfast, clients, gym, work all evening, home, sleep by 11pm!
20) What is your current occupation?
I am a manager at a tanning salon in my hometown and I also am a proud bikini coach!
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