20 Questions with Amateur Figure and Cover Model Courtney Bynog

Courtney Bynog

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Courtney Bynog?

My name is Courtney Bynog. I am 36 yrs old from Pineville, LA and I am a NPC National level competitor. 

2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?

I am a single mother of two children (15yr son and 11yr daughter) and own/manage a breeding Quarter Horse Farm (Q.H.  racing in Louisiana). 

3) How did you start competing in figure?

I got introduced in the figure competing by Kim Oddo (my nutritionist).  I met him in ’08 at a Monica Brant FEM camp. I went to the camp only to learn about health and nutrition, but was asked if I competed. That question got me thinking. So I wanted to try it to say I did it.  But considering I did well at my first show (3rd place at the SAC in California); I wanted to try another show. Well, that went even better; I got 1st in my class and won overall at my second show, the Emerald Cup in Seattle in ’09. After that I just kept on following my trainers lead.  I then competed in the ’09 Cal state show and placed 1st in Masters and 2nd in open class;  Not having a big break, Kim wanted me to attempt USA in Vegas, which I did, but didn’t place very well. I was worn out on the dieting! But now that I have taken a big break, I am training to compete at the Greater Gulf show in New Orleans, La and hopefully I will do well so I can then compete at Team Universe in NY/NJ in July!

4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?

My personal policy would be to come in the show looking  good with solid muscle tone and more hard than soft (can get soft quicker, if need be)

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 and now in Canada things are confusing.

It’s hard to tell what the judges want to see.  Every show I’ve been to, the judges are different; some want to see more muscle when others want a softer look….very confusing!

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

I would like to see my bottom half more toned  (glutes and hams), also I need to work my lats/back more for the tapered look. I, unfortunately don’t have a small waist as others do; which makes it more difficult to show off that tapered look. But it is my goal to make it happen!

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?

My schedule is such a roller coaster, only because I have to work around my other schedules.  So therefore, I go to the gym at different times of the day, but try to keep my workout routine the same days of the week

Courtney Bynog

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

A week before my show, my diet is pretty strict, as most are!  But I start out with 1/3 cup oatmeal and 4 egg whites, second meal 4oz chicken breast, lunch 4oz chicken, asparagus,  afternoon snack 4oz chicken, dinner 4oz white fish, sm salad, 10 almonds……no salt and little water.

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 far as water the day of the show, I have one bottle that I sip on all day.

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

Several things motivate me to work out and make me want to compete. But I would have to say that Monica Brant has been number one motivation and I have respected her for her accomplished goals.

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

The last show I went to was the Emerald Cup to hand the crown/trophy to the new winner. I had a great time. I got to hand two of my good friends their trophies and hang out back stage with some great people. 

12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed?

Considering I have only been in the competition world less than two years, I really do not have a strong opinion on the industry. Although, bikini has come into the picture since I first competed and I’m not quite sure what to think about it.

13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?

I have had many challenges in my personal life and competing (the diet is worst for me), but most challenging at this point in my life is raising a teenager! I am a single parent and it can get tough at times. But I have God on my side and I know he will not let anything come my way that I can’t handle.

Courtney Bynog

14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...

I think the dieting on every show has been a little different, not much, but enough changes to make a difference for the better…. I have my trainer to thank for that, Kim Oddo!

15) What do you think of bikini division?

I honestly don’t have an opinion about the bikini part of the show. Although, sometimes I feel like it’s more of a beauty contest instead of a bodybuilding show. Bikini is a natural soft look, “bodybuilding” maybe they should change the name.

16) What are your favorite foods to eat right after you compete on a Saturday night?

My favorite thing to eat after a show is pizza and desert (anything chocolate)!!

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

I was raised a southern style; respect, hard working and down to earth!

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

Growing up, I have always been an outside person, loving animals and riding horses. In school, I was a cheerleader and gymnast, played softball, was on the power lifting team.

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

My life is always on the go……. I get up to bring my kids to school, got to the gym, run errands, come home and clean, do outside work (I do everything that the “husband” suppose to do, lol), work with horses, pick up kids from school, homework, office work, fix dinner, etc…….

Courtney Bynog

20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do you specifically do in your job?

I am blessed to be able to be a stay home mom and own my business.  I have a horse farm, Triple Lynn Farms, LLC….I breed and sell racing Quarter Horses.  My job with that varies from season to season.  The winter is foaling and breeding season, I’m up all through the night foal watching making sure nothing goes wrong during the birthing, work with babies (halter breaking) and going back and forth to the vet with mare and baby to breed mom’s back again for next year.  That starts in Jan and ends usually around the end of May.  Then June to August I’m working with yearling to prep them for the yearling sale.  Other months, I work with weanlings, give vaccines, and fatten up the pregnant mom for healthy babies to come!  Some months are busy than others.  But I enjoy it all, being able to do what I love as a business, have my children 24/7, and stay fit and healthy for competing!  And since then, I have also enjoyed the large number of people that I have helped and motivated by my accomplishments; which is a great reward!

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