20 Questions with Cover Mode Jessica Quintana

Jessica Quintana

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Jessica Quintana?

My name is Jessica Quintana. I am a full time RN mother of 2 and NPC Figure Competitor

2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?

I live in North Carolina with my 2 boys ages 17 and 12. I grew up in a very small town , Denton NC, to be exact. I have 2 younger sisters and an older brother.

3) How did you start competing in figure?

I've always admired athletic women. I would consider myself an athlete as well, although when I was younger I was more of a country girl athlete, I grew up on a farm so hard work didn't scare me. I did run track in junior high and high school. I ran distance, relays and hurdles. I wanted to try it all. What drove me into competing was seeing the dramatic change that weight lifting had on my skinny little body! It made me feel and look good, so I wanted to take it to the next level and showcase my hard work. My first show was in 2011, it was Quincy Roberts Elite Muscle Classic.  I placed 2nd in open figure class D. I was hooked and have been competing ever since. I just love being onstage.

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 as a figure athlete you should come in lean and conditioned, tight but with feminine muscle tone. Basically you should have the physique of a super hero, strong, streamlined and tight. Not too bulky.

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 and now in Canada things are confusing.

Judging is hard I'm sure, I wouldn't want to be in there shoes. Each show and each judge wants something different and sees something different which can make it difficult on competitors. It's not all black and white, there's alot of gray area that leads to confusion and frustration.  I know because I've been there.

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

In 2016 I'm going to focus on bringing a little more muscle to stage. More size, same shape

Jessica Quintana

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?

I train legs and shoulders twice a week, I have a heavy day and a light superset day, I train back once a week and incorporate other body parts from time to time. When competing I do fasted cardio in the morning for 30 to 45 min everyday, this ignites my fat burning potential.

8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)

I carb deplete one week before a show, so it's no added sodium, lean meats and veggies and absolutely NO carbs until 2 days before stage.

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.

I start dropping water gradually 4 days prior until it's just sips the day before and day of the show. Then it's sips until the whole show is complete

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

I am my biggest motivator. I am and always have been very self motivated. I have the mentality that nobody is going to do it for me, so I must get it done. I have that attitude about everything I take on in life. I do admire a few of the ladies in the industry, Candice Lewis, Candice Keen and Erin Stern are my top 3. Those ladies kill it!!!

Jessica Quintana

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

At my last show, Team U, The whole getting spray tanned naked in a giant room with several dozen other naked ladies was a bit strange for me, but we all adjusted.

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

I would like to see more feminine streamlined physiques in Figure like you see on the pro level. I've noticed that some of the judges in Figure are leaning toward a bulkier more bigger size appearance rather than shape and aesthetics.

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

My hardest challenge I have faced in life would be supporting my children as a single parent while completing nursing school. That about drove me to the brink of insanity. Ha ha ha!

14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...

This year was the first year I carb and water depleted the carb loaded.  I utilized help from my coach IFBB pro Malcolm Marshall,  he really played a huge role in my appearance and success.

15) What do you think of bikini division?

My favorite meal after a show, big huge cheeseburger with fries and a beer of course.

Jessica Quintana

16) What are your favorite foods to eat right after you compete on a Saturday night?

Off season is upon me right now so life is easier. But my typical day consists of: 5am wake up, shower, coffee, breakfast and prepare for work. 7am work until 6pm if I'm lucky. 630pm I hit the gym up and train like a maniac for 1 hour. 8pm back home to shower, eat and pass out on the couch. This is my glamorous life 5 days a week and I wouldn't trade it.

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

I am an RN, currently a clinical supervisor for a very busy practice. I work with 6 very wonderful physicians. We stay busy and we work hard to provide care to our patients. I process and see numerous amounts of patients daily . I try to keep my staff happy and motivated and constantly look for ways to improve and be a great team leader and great nurse. I truly love being a nurse, besides having my children, it was the best decision of my life.

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

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

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

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