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20 Questions with Cover Model and IFBB Pro Shelby Right
1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Shelby Right?
Who am I? Well I am new to the big competition scene, receiving my figure pro card in July 06. At 23, i have an early start to the fitness industry which i cannot be more thankful for. Since i came onto the fitness scene 3 years ago, I have grunted through graduating college, marriage, husband active duty deployment, moving, and a new career, determined to get to my ultimate goal of becoming pro. Now that i look back, i am very proud of my accomplishments at my age, and the journeys it took to get me where I am now. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for me, this is just the beginning!
2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?
My family knows somewhat about competing, but it is honestly not a big interest of theirs. Honestly, they don't put much of an effort in to follow me in the sport. So that being the case, I cannot get involved in too many conversations about competing, modeling, or anything else of that nature. I have 2 older sisters, and 2 adopted younger brothers from Russia from my father's remarriage. I really don't think they realize all that i have done so far. My husband is my biggest fan, supporting me all the way. I am a personal trainer so all my clients are very important support systems for me.
3) How did you start competing in figure (NPC)?
I met my husband in college after watching him compete in our local university bodybuilding show. It was my first show I ever saw and immediately knew I belonged on stage. He was helping me prepare for the next year's show. After that he had full confidence in me that I would do really well competing in a real sanctioned show. I thought he was crazy. I looked for more professional guidance from my current trainer Mike Davies and he took me all the way to the top.
4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?
I think you are trying to get me in trouble JC! I believe there is a line with how hard you should look. Soft is definitely defining the sport as it should. I personally look at the legs and glutes to make my choices, it says a lot about your conditioning.
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 Canada/Mexico they are very clear unlike in the USA.
Well things are changing right now, they want the softer look. I believe Figure is transitioning again, but it has to be expected since it is still very new and its popularity keeps on growing.
6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!
I need to put on some good muscle size, especially in my back and shoulders. I always come in conditioned regardless, so I am really focusing on getting bigger while staying within 12lbs from my contest weight. Very important for me.
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?
Well pre-contest i do about 5-6 morning cardios and 5-6 night cardios. Hard. 5 weight training days, about 6-7 exercise per muscle group. some reps high, some low, usually 4 sets. I can't give all my secrets away! Off season I do about 5 cardio sessions, and still 5 weight training sessions. Plus 2 cheat meals, yes!!
8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)
Wow, well that is a tough one. I usually peak at 10 weeks. My diet changes every 3 to 4 weeks. That is all in the genius mind of my trainer. He makes me do some crazy stuff, but I have learned just to listen and it will work. Lots of tuna, fish, chicken, and chugging the water all the time. I think I live in the bathroom for the entire 10 weeks! I am always eating up until i step on stage. Every diet and week dryout is always different, so I could never just give you exactly what I do.
9) How do you go about dropping your water before the day of the show? Please be specific.
I don't cut my water too hard before a show or else i will look flat and too hard. Usually 2-3 gallons, gradually dropping to 1.5, then 1, then down to ounces before I step on stage.
10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you look up to?
I need a challenge, I am so competitive I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't competing. It keeps me in shape and helps me with my training business as well. I was a big Mari Kudla fan when I started. I now look up to those like Julie Palmer, Latisha Wilder, and my best friend Jessica Paxson for their commitment to the sport and their support.
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 husband Jacob just came home from Iraq 3 weeks prior to seeing me get my pro card in NY. Our hotel was directly in front of Ground Zero, kind of ironic. It was like we ended the year right where we started.
12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed?
I am proud to compete in the industry. There is always something anyone can complain about, but no big issues I can say right now for me.
13) From the shows you have competed so far during your career which one was the best (or most fun) for you and why?
Probably NY Figure Nationals. Jacob was home, and I really got to know my friend and also new pro Corry Matthews a lot more. We clicked with Corry and her husband Ivan, being that we all have competing and husband deployment experience! Meeting new people is one of the best things that come out of competing.
14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for Team Universe show from the USA's? Water intake, carbing up, etc...
Well my first big show wasn’t the USA’s this year, I came in late and did the Jr. Nationals. I stayed in better shape this past off season so I came in a lot tighter this year. I really leaned down prior to the show and filled back up the week of. More carbs definitely the last week.
15) What is your opinion about the 20% rule the IFBB issued to some female athletes? Why do you think they did it? Do you think competitors will follow it? Or it will get lost around somewhere?
Figure had to separate from harder Fitness physiques, which was a good thing. They are still trying to implement it more, and it’s becoming more obvious they penalize you for being too hard. I think it’ll stay around and competitors will realize after a few shows of how they need to change their physiques to the sport.
16) What are your plans for the pro stage? And how does becoming an IFBB Pro impact your professional and personal life?
Well I’m back to being the little fish in the big pond again! I look forward to watching my body change again every year. I plan to make my debut in 2007, probably the Pittsburgh Pro. I can’t wait to get up on stage in my home town, I’ve always trained to one day be able to do that. I have already made changes with my profession as a personal trainer, leaving my current location to go other places where my status and reputation will be put to more and better use. I am also beginning online training. Personally I feel a big relief and a big load of more responsibility to training at the same time.
17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?
I was such a tomboy, ha! Always always doing some sport of some kind. If I wasn’t doing that I was outside, playing with our horses we boarded or riding our quads or something. My sisters were older than me so we were never too close. My mom and dad split when I was in the 7th grade, and both remarried. My dad adopted 2 boys from Russia too. So I’ve watched my family change throughout the years. Keeping to my sports kept me from getting into trouble like a lot of kids, especially those when a family separates.
18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?
I did all sports, I was even MVP pitcher on a boys baseball team. My mom helped me get into some dance, gymnastics, etc as well. Don’t get me wrong, she was a little aggressor too and was very involved with my athletic sports. So I hit a little of everything. My dad mostly is VERY competitive, and that spilled over into anything I was ever involved in. He has taught me a lot about hard work, aggression, and discipline. I really don’t know how to live unlike an athlete, it’s in my blood and that’s all I know.
19) What is a typical day in the life of Shelby Right? From waking up to until going to bed?
Right now I actually wake up with my husband for once! Then it is off to the gym to train clients, then train myself sometime during the day. When I come home I jump on the computer and work on my online business. During dieting season, that’s another story. There is no end in the day, go go go all the time. Constantly cooking, planning meals, and training. Feels so boring when all of that is over and the off season starts!
20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do specifically do in your job?
Personal trainer, I work mostly with females, from beginner to competitors. My online training helps me reach those who cannot afford a trainer, or who are not in the area to train with me. I love seeing how I can literally change someone’s life. There is no greater reward. Anyone can feel free to visit www.shelbyright.com or go directly to www.fitnessgenerator.com/sheldk13 for more info.
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