20 Questions with Our Cover Model Jane Awad

1)What were your expectations for the California Pro after having come in 10th at the Pittsburgh Pro? Were you happy with the Cal Pro show?

My expectations going into each show is to come into each show prepared and ready for competition. The rest is up to the judges. I was very happy with my 9th place finish at Cal. I was on stage with some of the top competitors in the sport.

2) You just recently qualified for the Olympia at the Toronto Pro show a week after the Cal. What were your thoughts before and after the show? What was your reaction?

Going into the Toronto show was pretty tough for me. My body was a little tired from the coast to coast travel. I worked really hard all week to try to get some of the additional water off my body that I was holding and felt prepared going in on Saturday for Prejudging. I am so very pleased to be going to the Olympia. It still has not really sunk in yet. I had my family and some friends from Canada at the show to support me and it was great to celebrate with them all afterwards.

3) What do you think about steroids in the world of Figure and Fitness? Do you think drug testing should be mandatory? What should the ideal physique be like?

I really believe that we all have choices to make in our lives and I can not speak for others but hard work and diet is the key to my own personal success. The IFBB does do random testing at shows. The bar has been raised high with some Pro physiques therefore many competitors are trying to obtain those bodies. Every competitor comes to the stage with a different package. It is all about presentation. If you present yourself as a complete package chances are the judges will see it too.

4) What is your personal policy about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show?

I train with Mike Davies and he is all about conditioning. Lean and tight is how we all want to come into each show. I have been working with Mike for over a year now and I am very pleased with how he brings me into each show.

5) What is your idea of what judges want in a Figure competitor? Do you think judges are clear enough with Pro Figure about how they want you on stage?

Again, It is all about the package that you present. The judges are looking for well conditioned athletic physiques. I think when people start to worry more about what the judges want they confuse the matter. Each athlete should come into the show at their own personal best. Yes, I feel the judges are clear on this.

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

I really don't like to focus on what I need to work on. When we feel we are inferior in one area we carry ourselves that way. I try to focus my training on overall conditioning and coming into each show with my homework done.

7) What is your typical training routine in the gym (per day, include sets and reps!)

My workouts change on a daily basis. I do work one body part per day and have two cardio sessions. I do a lot of super sets and workout like the Tasmanian Devil. Usually sets of 12-15x4, and 5-6 exercises.

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

That changes as well by the day. I will tell you that I eat a lot of fish and asparagus.

9) How do you go about dropping your water before the day of the show? Please be specific.

Water can be a very tough thing to drop. I have used dandelion root stacked with B6 and potassium, as well as dry saunas. If I am holding water that week I really try to get my water up to 3 gallons per day. It sounds like a lot and it is but when you do cut it back the day before the show it stays off.

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

My motivation comes from within. I really love any type of athletic activity that pushes your body to the limit. At times the dieting is difficult and you need have a good support system around you. My husband Danny is great! He knows that I love to compete and he really does a great job at supporting me. Thanks Babe!

Yes, there are some girls that I have had the honor to have met and to be on stage with this year that are absolutely wonderful. Monica, Jenny Lynn, Tara Scotti, Elaine Goodlad are few that really impressed me. They were all down to earth and very welcoming to me as "the new girl on the block". I thank them all for being so warm and welcoming.

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

So far everything has gone as planned and I am knocking on wood right now!!!

12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in?

Anything you would like to see changed? I enjoy being in this industry. I am currently working with a great supplement company (EAS) and I am very happy. I would not like to change anything. I try not to worry about things that need to be changed.

13) Having been raised in Canada and now living in NYC what are some of the differences you see in the industry in Canada and in the USA? Is the judging different?

I really don't know much about the fitness industry up in Canada. All of my experiences have been in the US.

14) I haven't see photos of the Toronto Pro Show but you were telling me at the Cal you were holding water for about a week, what do you think this happened? Where you able to improve your conditioning for the Toronto Pro show?

Well, it was definitely for a few reasons. First being a female issue and the second the long flight to the west coast. My body does not respond well to flying. Now that I know this and have seen the effects I will be sure to arrive early and sweat it all out. I worked very hard all week on my cardio. I tried to sweat a lot and stay warm while I trained. I drank 3 gallons of water up until Thursday and then cut it back to 1 gallon Friday and none on the day of the show. I also used the dry sauna Thursday and Friday.

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?

I didn't really worry about this issue so I didn't put much thought into it. My motto is always focus on my own personal best. The things outside my inner circle that are controlled by others are not for me to change or voice my opinions on.

16) You are sponsored by EAS and you are the only female athlete, how did they choose you? What can you tell other girls out there looking for sponsorships?

I have been working with EAS for the past 3 years on different levels. I started out shooting print work for them when Muscle Media and Energy were on the newstands. Then I started working trade shows for them. When I turned pro they offered me a new position as an Endorsed Pro Athlete. I have a great relationship with everyone as EAS and feel very lucky to be with such a great supplement company. Like everything in life, timing is the key. Sometimes we don't time it out ourselves but just happen to be in the right place at the right time.

Some advice to others would be to network at all the different trade shows.

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

I am also very fortunate to come from a very tight knit family. I am #2 of 4 kids. My mom and dad are both amazing people and have always been there to support all of us. I also have a very large extended family. I have 48 first cousins, and we are all close. At the end of June we are having the "Awad Family Reunion" This is a crazy scene. All of my aunts and uncles and cousins and their kids all get together for a huge party. Kind of like organized chaos. It is a lot of fun! I am very proud of my family.

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

I do come from an athletic background. I played Division 1 basketball at Marist College. I also played volleyball at the Provincial Level and was a Provincial level Javelin thrower. My entire family also likes to golf. I wish I had more time to play. My husband and I try to get out when we visit his parents in Arizona a few times a year. Maybe in a few years we will get back into it again.

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

My typical day starts at 5am for my first cardio session. By 8 I am at the personal training studio and finised by 3. Off to the gym after that for weights. Back to the gym later for a second cardio. At night I get my food prepared for the day and spend some time with my husband. I try to get to bed by 9:30.

20) Last one I promise... What is your current occupation? Do you have a fitness related business? If so please tell us more about it.

I work as a personal trainer in a small studio.

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