|
20 Questions with IFBB Figure Pro and Cover Model Celeste Gonzalez
1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Celeste Gonzalez? I consider myself as a constant fighter in love with this wonderful sport. I like to be surrounded by good things and good people, always trying to be better in every way of my life, both personally and professionally. I fight against the adversity and never stop trying to reach my dreams. I remember the day of my first amateur competition (IFBB 2002 Canary Island Championship), when I came down the stage with the trophy being the first classified and the presenter of the event telling me if I will to the national competition because he saw in me things that an international level potential. I remember that night because I dreamt with my idols: Monica Brant, Jenny Lynn... Since that day I continued working hard with a great enthusiasm, always looking forward with very clear objectives. Some of my dreams I have reached and still struggling with all my energy for the missing ones. 3) How did you start competing in figure? I used to do classic ballet. I started when I was 14 years old. At 19 I stopped and joined in a gym to keep my figure up. I was introduced to weights & fitness seeing a magazine and I decided that it was what I wanted to do.
Sincerely, I agree with what the judges want us to show. 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. I think that judges want the girls to show a perfect balance between a healthy body and athletic, a female body with curves. What they seek to avoid is that girls are increasingly muscular and the figure line will be lost with excess muscle. I think that they are very clear, and the thing that we have to do is keep working hard to achieve what they want from us and after each show always try to ask for advice.
6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything! I tried to be better each show. I'm aware that I'm still starting, I have a lot to learn and improve ... and I enjoy doing it! I know I'm going in the right way and I am happy to improve gradually in each competition. I always talk to the judges and they guide me, giving good advices and tell me the things I have to work harder. 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. One of the most recent experiences and never forget in my life was the 2007 Figure Olympia. It was a dream come true and I felt very fortunate to participate and not stop dreaming that someday could be done again, so it was very interesting thing and fun because I love to be in the show. 12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed? I think the fitness industry, and bodybuilding figure is now booming.
13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career? Every day is a challenge to overcome.
In my professional life is happening right now. Competing on the professional level is a long and hard road. All athletes are fantastic and have a high level and all, like me, we are fighting every day to be better. 14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc... As I mentioned earlier, I agree with the approach of the IFBB. Managers want to avoid that woman athletes have too much muscle and lose their natural female form. If there is no control over this, come a time when no woman will want to prepare for competition and people do not admire our sport. We have to be an example to follow. 16) Please describe differences in competing in Spain and in North America? I think the main difference is, as mentioned earlier, the physical criteria are different. 17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up? Since I am an IFBB Pro Figure, I have grown not only as an athlete, but also as a person. I feel the great responsibility of being the example to be followed by many women who want to have a healthy physical and beauty. In our sport, we must help the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry with our example of good health and living habits. 18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what? When I was a girl, I practiced classic ballet for many years until age 19.
Then, I left the ballet and started with Fitness
19) What is a typical day in the life of Celeste Gonzalez? From waking up to until going to bed? My life elapses between my job and my career IFBB Pro. I am fortunate to have the support of my family and my co-workers; they give me all facilities so that I can adapt my schedule and my travels to compete. I work in a Supplements shop as the manager in the mornings and in gym, giving aerobics collective classes and as a personal trainer in the afternoon. Both belong to the same company, Jose Quintero and Sons SL. I have worked with them for many years.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||