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20 Questions with Cover Model and NPC Figure Kandi Allen
1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Kandi Allen?
Hmmm..(Kandi Allen) a determined, goal oriented, optimistic woman. I love to set goals for myself AND others, and see them reached. I'm a "never say never" person.
2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?
I 'm a native Texan, living in Plano, Tx now and for the past 15 years. A divorced mother of 2 wonderful sons, ages 14 and 16 .. I've been "single" for 8 years now, which has really taught me a lot about who I am.
3) How did you start competing in figure?
I started "toying" with the idea in Dec. 2006. People started asking me if I competed; not knowing what they meant I started researching online, and thought "If THEY can do that, I can!". I made the decision, got my NPC card, researched and set the goal "quietly". I actually am (was) a shy person, who has always suffered with stage fright !
4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?
Personally, I prefer to come in hard and symmetrical, the "old" figure look is my personal preference. The last show I did, right after the NPC made some changes to the "look" they wanted-I just didn't feel right or good about how I looked(softer) on stage.
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.
In my opinion, the judges are now going for a more "main stream" look-- one that I would consider "easier" to achieve for the average "gym-rat". It would clear a lot of confusion with the competitors, especially those who have competed several times in the past -if the criteria were outlined as clearly as in body building.
6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!
Trick question... personally, my off-season physique is pretty close to what they want this season. In other words, NORMALLY I would harden up/ lean out by about 3% for show. According to the new criteria, I would then be better suited for lightweight bodybuilding. As far as figure goes, I think I would just need to hold a little more water and not "gain" more muscle than what I have already. But there again, it depends on the judges and the rest of the competitors you are compared with at each individual show.
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?
This is my normal routine--"off season"
2 weeks cycle--pyramid 3 sets x 12/10/8 reps (increase wt. each set)
" " 4 sets 15 reps - @ weight of 12rep set of other cycle^
Mon-(teach pm) cardio kickbox 60 min
pm BACK/ TRIs
Tues-(teach 7:30am) cardio kickbox/bootcamp 60min
(teach 8:45am) endurance total body resistance class 45 min
(teach 9:30am) ab/core class 15min
(teach every other week 5:30pm) cardio kickbox 60 min
pm LIGHT LEGS -every other week (when I don't teach pm class)
Weds- (teach 5:30pm) cardio kickbox
pm CHEST/BIs
Thurs- (teach 8:45am) endurance resistance class
(teach 9:30am) ab/core class 15min
Fri- (teach 8:30am) cardio kickbox 45 min
pm SHOULDERS/CALVES
Sat- (attend) 10:30am cardio kickbox
11:30 power yoga
Sun- ride bike outside OR outdoor run/walk interval 30-45min
LEGS
.....or something like that haha...And it 's even more motivating when I'm getting paid for most of my cardio :-)
8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)
hmmm ( for a SAT am prejudge)--simplified
Sun/Mon/Tues: low carb / high protein (1.5g per lb b.w. / sodium & water load-@ least 1.5 gal
Weds: start lowering water intake (back to normal), up the starchy carbs, start to lower sodium
Thur & Fri: cut out as much sodium as you can; cut water to 1/2 normal intake Fri. @ noon
SAT: a.m. very little water ( sips w/ small meals )
I eat very low sodium tuna and brown rice for breakfast; then simple carbs and fats--spread through out the day to keep a full look w/ out spilling over.
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.
As previously mentioned, I don't cut water until Thurs, and only go down to my normal intake -- about 100oz, because of my teaching/cardio-- I'm always sweating it out :-)
Fri. after I teach ( and finish my 16.9oz bottle of H2O) I will sip on another bottle or two sometimes through out the rest of the day-- and take dandelion root starting Weds. or Thurs depending on how I'm looking
10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you looked up to?
The training/nutrition were already a part of my lifestyle-- because it keeps me sane :-). The competing has been an added bonus-- an outlet/goal for learning how to "tweak the physique"...and I like to collect trophies :-)
Amanda Savell (RIP) was my "figure pro idol". We worked out @ the same gym, and she gave me pointers for competition prep. nutrition. Her physique was incredible, I used (and still do) her competition pics as motivation/goal setting. When she passed, the same week of the last competition I have done--along with the change of the "look"-- it kind of put me in a "funk". But knowing how she was, she would be saying "go kick some ass on stage", so I intend to.
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 the Arnold Amateur this year, I got to work the Muscular Development booth @ the expo-- after competing. As "booth girls", we were required to be in the bikini model contest. Having just competed 2 hours prior (place 4th A class) I (along with another girl) were lean and hard-- obviously NOT what the general public liked-- the girls who won were more shall I say, "off season"...and boy, was that a long day !
12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed?
I would love to see a clear cut criteria for figure--including ideal body comp.
13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?
Having the funds to compete--suits, travel etc. -- it all adds up, and as a single/sole supporter of 2 kids it adds up even quicker !
14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...
I didn't drop as much water-- and apparently didn't drop the muscle the judges had previously told me to gain ! Can you sense the frustration? haha
15)What do you think about figure competitors who have crossed over to bodybuilding? Is this a reflection of what is happening with the new criteria for judging figure?
I think it's great, and I'm still toying with the idea. There are a lot of us who have worked hard to gain the shoulder caps, quad. sweeps, v taper, calves etc. the judges wanted as per post show critiques. I think with the change in the criteria, it has left us confused with the direction we are going with our physiques. Being used to training the way we do, I think it may be a better option both mentally and physically to "lean" towards bodybuilding...So YES-- I think it is truly a reflection of the new criteria.
16) How do you balance your family life with competing and dieting for shows? Do you have a support system around you (family, etc...)?
It's such a part of my work and lifestyle, that really for me it's the last few weeks, when I lower my carbs and bump up the cardio that changes anything in my family schedule AND MOOD.
17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?
I was raised in a family with a stay at home mom, older sister and hard working executive father. We attended non denominational church twice a week ( Sun. am & Weds pm). I have always looked up to my dad for support and his spirituality, determination, optimism and goal setting ablilies...he's my hero ! I also was a drummer and rode motorcycles in my spare time.
18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?
I was a gymnast, dancer (tap/jazz/ballet) and softball player from age 4 on. ALWAYS physically active, and spent a lot of time outdoors -- bike riding, water skiing, snow skiing, etc. --and willing to learn more!
19) What is a typical day in the life of Kandi Allen? From waking up to until going to bed?
Aside from the previously mentioned teaching and work out sched.-- I get up M-F around 4:30am and go into work (personal training) I get out of work usually by 12:30 pm - go home take a nap for about 1-2 hours then do carpool for my boys after school. Then - the pm teaching/training sched. and usually hit the grocery store after that -about 3-4 times a week! I get home, check homework, shower, write workouts for next day's clients, shower, check emails and go to bed... .typically, I'm a creature of habit in that sense.
20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do you specifically do in your job?
I work as a MOM, personal trainer and group fitness instructor primarily. Secondarily, I groom dogs and cats and pet sit occasionally. And of course, RUN HOUSEHOLD...As jack of all trades I suppose, and I enjoy every God-given day of it!
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