20 Questions with Cover Model and Amateur Figure Angela Smith

Angela Smith

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Angela Smith?

my passion comes from many different aspects. I love to be around people which is why I train clients & teach group exercise ( pilates, power yoga, kick boxing, spin, & body sculpting) people motivate me. I love feeling & looking fit which is why I entered the competition realm. 

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

I'm from Wisconsin and grew up in the country. Love being outdoors. I'm close to my family and have a twin sister. She works out a lot as well and keeps in great shape.
I like to surround myself around positive people & energy.

3) How did you start competing in fitness and then switched to figure?

I started out in bodybuilding in 1991 and won Minnesota middleweight class. Then after a few years of bodybuilding I went into fitness. It was a fun transition as I was a cheerleader in high school. I love to learn dance, choreography & express myself.
I then transitioned to figure as it's a bit kinder to your body. As we all get older I think it's important to respect your body. ( I won't tell you my age though, lol. )

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

I really enjoy the personal goal I set for myself each competition. I want to improve each time and know that I put 110% into it. My personal look I like is little more muscular, lean with small waist, shapely shoulders and thighs. Then I'm happy with my conditioning & confident. With judging that's out of my hands. And I'm ok with that. :-)

5) What is your idea of what judges want in a figure/fitness 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 don't think for figure the judging is clear or consistent. So I just come in the condition that I feel best with.

Angela Smith

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

for my next show I'd like to just keep improving my shoulder width, fullness to the muscle, tiny waist , bring my abs out more & lean out my thighs a little more streamlined.

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 training varies so much including : boot camp classes, pilates, power yoga & straight weight training. I will include multiple sets with both higher reps/ lower weight and lower reps/higher wt. Plyos, cardio ( step mill, spin classes, elliptical, treadmill & power walking. Just the last 4 weeks before a show I increase cardio to 2x per day 4-5 days a week
I like to change things up a lot to keep my body guessing. I can look at my body & determine what I need more of or less with the many yrs of experience, Trial & error.

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

my pre contest nutrition plan is 5-6 small meals per day ( more green veggies, protein lower to moderate carbs). The 2 weeks I will cut back on sodium and increase good fats more. As well as decrease complex carbs ( depending on how I look ). Or increase complex carbs a few days before for fullness.

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.

I actually try to drink min. 1 gallon to 1 1/2 gallons per day. Then the week before the show I will decrease water
Mon- 1 gallon , Tuesday 1 gallon, Wednesday 1/2 gallon, thurs. 1/2 gallon, Friday 1/4 gallon. Saturday - sip water.

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

I love to have a goal and deadline. That motivates me to get on stage in a 2 pc !! I admire monica Brant. There are so many great competitors that I admire though.

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

I think just meeting some really cool , fun people at the junior USA show in las Vegas

Angela Smith

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

more money prizes , I think we need more gifts for athletes

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

I think the hardest challenge for me is to keep balance with my career, training & home life.

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

I think the biggest changes in my contest prep were to keep changing my contest training. Switching things up & keep my body guessing. I implemented more pilates, yoga, plyos & massages.

15) How do you feel about the new bikini division?

I think the new bikini divisions is awesome!! It gives a whole new dimension to competition , love it !!

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 rather tough but I have a wonderful support system with my husband, friends, training partners, and my clients. They are awesome :-)

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

I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin ( born & raised in the country) so I love anything outdoors. I was always in sports ( cheerleading, track ) which gave me discipline, and fitness skills. I had many interesting experiences growing up with a twin sister. :-)

Angela Smith

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

I participated in cheerleading, track , played basketball and theatre ( grade school).

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

my day usually starts pretty early 5 or 6am with a private client training. Then thru out the day I have more clients, group classes ( pilates reformer or mat, body sculpting class, kick boxing, boot camp or spin class). My day usually ends at 7 pm or 8 pm. :-)

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

for my full time job I train clients ( 15 yrs) as well as I'm a certified pilates instructor. As well as certified spin, kickboxing, body sculpting & yoga instructor.) I like to be trained in many aspects of fitness for the variety of my clients.

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