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My Ironman Experience by Monica Mark
Winning this year’s first figure show of the year has been an exhilarating way to start off 2007. I have been dreaming about competing for the last 6 years and the journey to get here has been nothing short of amazing. I still remember the first pictures I saw of Monica Brant; she was my first role model in the fitness industry. Ever since I turned 18, I have been working out in the gym and acquiring as much knowledge about training and nutrition to enhance my physique.
In 2006, I finally made a New Year’s Resolution to step on stage for the first time. Although competing was completely new to me, I was fortunate enough to enter the 2006 NPC Arizona State Figure Championships and come out victorious not only in my class but also for the overall title. I still cannot believe that I won my first show, especially the overall, but competing definitely made me feel at home. I was scheduled to compete at the 2006 USA Figure Championships one month later, but unfortunately I got sick and was unable to compete.
Despite being disappointed for not doing the USA’s, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet my current nutritionist, Kim Oddo, in August. I was so encouraged and honored to meet and work with Kim due to his proven track record of his clients as well as his vast knowledge in nutrition and fitness. Not to mention, Kim is also Monica Brant’s nutritionist and has been for many years.
Kim and I decided in 2006 to have the 2007 Ironman be my first show. We started planning the rest of the year with our eyes set on the Ironman and a few other shows thereafter. Regardless of the changes I made in my life, from moving out of Arizona and resettling in Rancho Cucamonga to changing jobs/careers, I never lost the vision for the show we set out to do. It was an incredible amount of work to readjust my life and keep my head in the right place, but I was fortunate enough to gain support from Kim, my family, and other key people in my life that helped me stay focused.
Needless to say, I showed up to the Ironman in the best shape of my life. I had improved my stage presence, symmetry, and other relatively weak links from the 2006 Arizona show with the guidance of Kim and my commitment to hard work and continual learning. Regardless of my improvements, I was nervous, excited, and eager to step on stage once again. Once the show weekend came, time suddenly disappeared. The spray tanning, carbing up, water depleting, practicing of posing, hair, and make up kept me occupied until I was about to step on stage. It was here that my nerves really became apparent to me as I could not sit still until it was turn for my class to be on stage. When I got up on stage, I finally relaxed and just had fun. Being placed in the middle of the line up was a great feeling, and the rest of the day just kept getting better.
When the night show came, I felt confident but still unsure of the outcome from the prejudging. Being on the big stage was once again exhilarating, all the months of hard work were well worth it just for that moment. When the MC called out the top 3, I felt relieved to have made it that far; being announced the winner of my class brought a huge smile to my face. Coming out to be judged for the overall title was exciting and breathtaking; being announced as the overall winner was once again amazing. Winning the show definitely provided me with more confidence as I prepare now for the Emerald Cup and the Jr. USA’s in April.
After the show, I felt like my dream was just evolving. The opportunities I received to do photo shoots and to receive the honor of a spread in Ironman Magazine made this win all the more incredible. Now I have my focus set on the 2007 Emerald Cup and the Jr. USA’s, with my final goal of obtaining an IFBB pro card in the near future. All I can do now is continue to work hard, stay disciplined, and hope good things continue to happen for me in 2007.
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