20 Question with Cover Model and Amateur Bikini Competitor Theresa Orsini

Theresa Orsini

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Theresa Orsini?

Hi, I'm Theresa Orsini, aka Terry by friends and family. Call me a late bloomer, I just recently started competing in NPC. I am a soon to be 49 year old bikini competitor.

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

I am a mother of 2, Justin 21 and Hailey 19. Both attending ASU and married 25 years. I keep myself busy with pretty much anything you can imagine from being mom, to recently delivering 4 teacup pomeranian puppies to flipping repo homes. My job description is not limited to any one area. I do it all, i enjoy getting my hands dirty and doing work! 

3) How did you start competing in bikini?

I got started in bikini after suffering from a major foot break, I had continued training with 3 broken bones and the cast on for 6 long months. There was a contest in Tucson, AZ and they were offering the new bikini division; my trainer of 4 years A.J. Cannon said, "It's in 2 weeks, lets give it a try." We did it and qualified for Nationals in my 1st contest. 

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

As for me, I like to maintain my body the same year round. Contests or not, I like my body in peak fit shape. I love my abs to peak out always and the booty must be full. Many people don't realize that with age you lose elasticity in your skin, meaning I have to carry more muscle mass year round to fill the looser skin. For contest I have to be sure I am eating enough good carbs and drinking my water to appear as full as possible on stage.

5)  What is your idea of what judges want in a bikini 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.

The guidelines for bikini are clear, be softer then figure is the short version. It really depends all on who shows up at any given contest. Sometimes everyone is a little harder and sometimes everyone is a little softer.  So depending on who shows up , the judges measure you up against the others in front of them. Every contest is different. The fun is in bringing your personal best to each contest.

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

My biggest needs improvement area is my stage performance. I am way out of my box with being on a stage of any type, so I struggle with presenting my body much more then I struggle with my body. For every show my goal is to present myself better then the last show, baby steps.  Physique wise I just need to come in fuller and still tight.  That in it self is a challange.

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?

Currently my training routine is 5 days a week, Mon thru Fri. 1 to 1.5 hours a day weights with my trainer.
I typically do 3-4 sets of 12-15 depending on the exercises.
I do 30 minutes of cardio per day.
This is my normal training program, show or not.

Theresa Orsini

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

Since I keep a consistent lifestyle, diet is not a giant issue for me.
On final week I will eat about the same: fiber muffin for breakfast with protien in my coffee, lunch and dinner is a lot of plain grilled salmon and chicken, lots of veggies and good carbs, like brown rice. I snack on baken pita chips and hummus.

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 drink 1 gallon of water a day, everyday.  Contest or not it remains the same amount, 1 gallon. Even on show day, I drink up!
I start my day with a full gallon jug and I carry it around with me wherever I go.  The jug needs to be emty at bedtime is the goal.

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

I live this everyday as a lifestyle. My health is what motivates me. I have diabetes and I really had to make some serious changes in my diet. The body is a bonus with the program.

I look up to any competitor that is committed to the process. I have learned to really appreciate others because I know what goes into this.  It's a lot of hard work. 

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

Recently I went to my 1st Pro Bikini contest, I meet many Pro Bikini girls and they were so sweet and so humble.
It was crazy that many knew me! They knew my suits I competed in from past contest. It was sooooo cool. I never expected this experience.  It was really fun getting to know the girls one by one. We spray tanned together so we spend a long time talking. Really a Great experience.

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

I am pretty new to the sport, so I don't feel I could add or take from this topic. 
I say if you like it then do it!  I did compete once in figure and I was successful in it. I enjoyed it as well.

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

The hardest to overcome for me in competing to bring my personality out on stage and convey myself as me to the judges. Backstage I'm all smiles and laughs and I step on the stage and can't seem to keep my fun going to the judges as of yet.  Once I break thru, watch out people! LOL

Theresa Orsini

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

My last show was Jr USA and came in fuller by adding good carbs. I drank my gallon of water and I changed my routine to make it more youthful.
 
15) What do you think of bikini division?

Bikini division is a blast!! It's more you presenting yourself, so its very casual. The diets are less, so no grumpy girls. Bikini is a great way to display yourself in a very healthy way.

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

I always eat Pizza after the show. It's my favorite treat!

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

My childhood was interesting to say the least. I came from a large family, I am the middle of 5 kids, so I am always the scale trying to balance out the gang. This carried right over to my adulthood.  I'm Mrs. Fix-It.

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

I have zero athletic background from my past, I never participated in any sports. Not even dance or anything.  This has been a giant challenge and disadvantage for me. I struggle with mind body connection even in my weight training making it difficult to get some muscles hooked up. I drive my trainer nuts with this! But I have a no surrender attitude and I keep trying till I get it.

Theresa Orsini

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

My days start at 4:30am with 7 dogs crying for food and potty break, I eat, shower and start my hour drive to the gym. I meet my trainer and we work till the job is done, I do cardio, practice posing, then start my lists for home. Get home feed puppies, eat, clean, nap if possible, go see my mom, who lives in a nursing home and tend to the family. I try to get in bed by 11pm.

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

Currently I am a home investor. I purchase distressed properties from the auction and tear them out and remodel and get them back on the market in like new condition only better.  I love the hunt for bargains to make the home upgraded as much as possible on a budget.  It's so rewarding to see the finished product as well as making an amazing home for a new family. I turn a sad house into a happy home. 

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