20 Questions with Cover Model Jessica Vetter

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

Hello everybody! Well let me start by saying I am huge fan and supporter of bodybuilding. My love for sports began in high school, with a track background, winning state titles in hurdles and long jump. Earning my Ifbb pro card in November 2014 , has allowed me to compete on the pro figure level. I have been very fortunate the last few years traveling as a fitness model. Also, I am a crazy dog lover!
                            
2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?

My roots are from small-town South Dakota, with a large family. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters , and am the eldest. Most of my friends are involved in fitness and bodybuilding. My best friend, without a doubt is my sister, Jodi. We can talk about anything, and she is nonjudgmental.

3) How did you start competing in figure?

In 2008, I met my trainer Kyle Kubousek,who quickly became my boyfriend. In 2010, I began competing in figure, totaling 18 shows to date. With class wins in my first two shows, I entered a national show at the end of my first year, with a disappointing 6th out of 6 placing. In 2011, I had another low placing in a national show, before ending the season on a high note, with my first overall title. 2012 was my breakout year, taking 4th at North Americans. Needing to requalify nationally for 2014, I won another overall, to start the year. I went on to place 2nd at Jr. Nationals, with my pro card just out of reach. Keeping the momentum going, I competed at Team Universe three weeks later, taking 4th. I ended my final season as an amateur, winning my class at Nationals, with straight firsts, and earning my IFBB pro card!

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

Overall symmetry and balance are important in my eyes. Obviously being conditioned is important, but there needs to be more of a discrepancy between figure and physique.

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.

Hard & muscular, with a huge emphasis on conditioning, especially this year. If you don’t bring pro level leanness, which needs to be similar to top bodybuilders, you can forget about it.

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

I need to work on conditioning above all else. Coming in hard enough has been a struggle at a few shows. Honestly, there is always room for improvement for everybody. Bringing a better package to every show is a win in my opinion.

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 split consists of back, delts, glutes and hamstrings, and quads. Reps and sets vary upon whether or not close to a show. During show prep, I incorporate lots of intensity techniques with my lifts, such as drop sets and rest pauses. Cardio also depends on how close I am to a show, and how my body is responding to diet and lifts. Weight lifting generally ranges anywhere from 45-60 minutes. Post workout cardio is 30 minutes maximum, and solo cardio sessions are 30-45 minutes. Stepmill is my “go to” cardio, as it challenges the glutes and hamstrings.

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

Normally 1 week before a show I am doing a ketogenic diet.

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.

Water loading a day prior to the show works for my body type. The day of the show I may have a couple sips, but usually no water.

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

Knowing that I’ve put everything possible into my training and diet, to be the best I can be, inspires me everyday. Never do I want to look back and have regrets, or wonder if I could have done more. Training is my outlet for stress relief, physical and mental well being, as well as, empowering in all aspects of my life. The discipline has given me strength, structure, and the ability to achieve goals and dreams, I never imagined possible. Stepping onstage, regardless of placing, I want it to be inevitably known, that I put in the time and work.

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

Stepping on a pro stage with my idol, Candace Keene, at the Kentucky Muscle was an amazing experience. In 2014, I was taking pictures with her at a booth before I won my class at Nationals. The following year 2015, I was taking pictures with Candace backstage and competing with her. Such an exhilarating experience!!

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

The sport has evolved immensely since I began competing in 2010. I think it’s great there are more divisions that allow all types to compete. In turn, I feel that the industry is moving away from where it all began with men and women’s bodybuilding.

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

Finding balance with work, family, friends, and relationships is always a challenge. There is never enough time in the day!!

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

No, the only change I had made for my last show is I allowed myself to travel 3 weeks out, and got terribly sick. I was in bed for 3 days sick unable to eat or exercise. Never again will I travel that close to a show, lesson learned.

15) What do you think of bikini division?

The bikini division is great, as it is more of an attainable look for women. Also brings more money and spectators to the sport.

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

Burger, sweet potato fries, ice cream, cheesecake, and a beer.

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

Living on a farm, I broke horses and showed dogs. I am definitely an animal lover! There are 5 kids in my family, and I am the oldest. We grew up not having a lot of money, and I believe family is what made us strong and who we are today.

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

My passion for athletics began at an early age. I was active throughout high school in track and basketball. Track was my “I” sport, earning state titles in hurdles and long jump.

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

Breakfast is on my mind the second I open my eyes! Usually training clients and client prep consume a good portion of my day. Late afternoon or evenings, I will weight train and cardio. Food prep in the evening is usually every 3-4 days . Usually before bed, I check emails and my messages.

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

Personal training and modeling are my current occupations. Up until about a year ago, I worked in collections for 16 years and personal training. Helping people lose weight, and living a healthy lifestyle is mostly what I do as a personal trainer. As far as modeling, it consists of a wide variety of jobs such as photoshoots, working booths, posing seminars, supplement store signings, and the list goes on. . Modeling has allowed me to travel, meet new people, and lead to great opportunities. Health and happiness are ultimately what I strive for, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

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