Bikini Model Marialye Trottier Talks with Body-Buildin.com

Holy Grail Body Transformation Program!
1. Let’s begin by saying a few things about yourself:

Hello everyone! My name is Marialye Laramee Trottier, I am from Quebec City, Canada and I’m 22 years old. I’m currently studying in psychoeducation at University Laval and working as a personal trainer at Mega Fitness Gym and outside of that I organise boot camp outdoor workouts for girls and it’s a lot of fun!  Fitness is a part of my life and I’m trying to spread that passion and share it with the world so we can all be on the way of reaching our goals. 

2. For how long you’ve been working out and why you decided to start this journey? 

Since I can remember, I’ve always been extremely energetic. At the age of 7 I fell in love with soccer and at 12 I was recruited to play in a competitive league. Not too long after, the provincial team of Quebec recruited me and it’s at 14 years old that I started training behind the iron in a small gym at my high school. I trained in order to be more powerful than the other girls on the field and to try and give myself that extra competitive edge.

Holy Grail Body Transformation Program!

I quickly realised that I had a passion for weight-training as I would never miss a training session and even hired myself a personal trainer. The same year following a national championship, I was invited to the National High Performance Centre in Montreal which I decided joining a year later. At the age of 16, I was given the great honor of joining the Canadian team with whom I had 12 gruesome preparations camps for the World Cup Junior in New Zealand. 

At those camps, I was able to shine and was offered several scholarships throughout the United States and signed with the University of West Virginia. After moving to the University of West Virginia, I came to the realisation that my passion for fitness and weight training was greater than my love for soccer. As my life had to be fully oriented towards soccer during my stay at West Virginia, I was not willing to pay the price of sacrificing my own personal training. At that point, I decided to end my career in soccer.

I was looking for new experiences as an athlete and I returned home to Quebec where I started training harder than ever. At first, I tried all the gyms in Quebec. I trained 7 days 7 without really knowing what to do. After a lot of researching, I found people and resources to help me learn a lot in the field of training and fitness.

Holy Grail Body Transformation Program!

I always wanted to go on stage and I knew I would get there eventually. A few months later, in 2010, I participated in my first competition (Pro Gym) in the category ‘Body Figure’ and I finished 4th.  Recently, I competed as a Bikini Model and came second in the Quebec Open and finished first at the provincials this year. So in short, I have been hitting the gym for at least 7 years now.

3. Which is your favorite Fitness exercise?

 

I love my legs days! My favourite exercise would have to be the sumo deadlift. 

4. How about your favorite meal?

Fit & Sexy Bikini Competitor Sera Elisabeth Talks With Body-Buildin.com

1. Let’s begin by saying a few things about yourself 

My name is Sera Elisabeth. I was born in Germany and came to Canada at a young age, where I now currently live in Toronto, ON. I actually studied real estate appraisal in college and university I since then have continued my education and career within this industry as well. I have been an active Bikini competitor in the Ontario Physique Association for nearly a year, placing first in both competitions I have entered.

2. For how long you’ve been working out and why you decided to start this journey? 

I have always been an active person. However I didn’t become consistent until about 3 years ago when I picked up jogging. Yes I was a cardio bunny. It was not until I had serious shin splints and was unable to jog or run that I decided to pick up weights! About a year and half later I came in contact with my coach Jason Pilon (jpfit.ca) and haven’t looked back since!

3. Tell us your favorite exercise and your favorite meal.

My favorite exercise is SQUATS hands down. They are one of the best compound exercises you could do. They promote balance, mobility, core strength (abs) and overall body muscle development (just too name a few). There are so many variations and you can do them literally anywhere any time! No Excuses ;)

4. Describe a regular day in your life and all the meals you have.

An Unusual Interview with Vince del Monte - Pro Fitness Model & Skinny Guy Savior

We know him from all over the internet. He has thousands of videos, articles, fans as well as some great Fitness Programs. His name is Vince delMonte, also known as “The Skinny Guy Savior”. You can find many interviews out there asking him the basic questions related to his programs and his own body transformation, so for today we’ll ask him something totally different! 

1. How your love life has changed once you gained muscle? Were hot chicks all over you? :)

I probably have the most popular and publicized "skinny to muscular" transformation stories in the world.  A real “hard-gainer” – although I don’t really believe in that term anymore. “Hard gainers” often just are uneducated on what it takes to build a muscular physique.

Anyway, I was clearly the poster boy for all of the guys out there that can’t seem to gain weight and can’t get the girl.  I am sure you all know my nickname being “Skinny Vinny” in my younger days, and I am pretty sure it had something to do with the fact I weighed somewhere between 140 and 150 soaking wet! This nickname stuck with me through college.

Let me be the first to tell you, when you go from 150 to 190 pounds…EVERYTHING in your life changes. People starting looking at you and treating you differently – yes, “hot chicks” included.

2. How does it feel to be at the Yoga class surrounded by LOTS of women?

What a sweet deal! Just don’t tell my wife I said that. But seriously, it doesn’t really faze me. When I am working out – this includes Yoga –  I get in “the zone”. It is pretty hard to distract me at that point.

3. Being a little more serious now…how does your wife Flavia supports you with your career?

We complement each other well and this greatly helps both of our businesses.  Where I am more of the dreamer and entrepreneur, Flavia helps keep me on task and organized. It is great to be part of a relationship were our individuality allows us to become greater as a whole.

4. Which is your answer to people saying that since you’re working with Ben Pakulski you’re not as big and muscular as you used to?

She Loves To Help Moms Get In Shape -- An Interview with Sumi

1. Let’s begin by saying a few things about yourself

I’m Sumi Singh and I’m a personal trainer in Austin TX, a group fitness instructor (boot camps, yoga, and dance), a fitness model and an online diet coach. I also write regularly for a bodybuilding blog and a supplement review site.

I have a Master’s Degree from Duke, and a Bachelor’s from Tufts. My 5-year old will tell you my actual job is “MOMMY!!!” So, I’m an all around bad-ass :)

2. For how long you’ve been working out and why you decided to start this journey?

I officially became hooked on fitness the moment I first laid hands on a set of my dad’s dumbbells when I was 12.  My family’s encouragement of my athletic endeavors took me on a fitness journey where I achieved several milestones: losing all the baby weight less than 2 months after a C-section and bench pressing my own body weight.

These proud moments are especially important to me as an Indian woman given the tendency of our culture to dismiss the value of athletic activities, and I am motivated to be a role model for everyone seeking healthier lifestyles. And as a single mom, I hope to encourage many moms to reach their fitness goals (and to defeat the many mommy excuses).

3. Tell us your favorite Fitness exercise!

From Under-Dog to Elite -- An Interview With Clint Nielsen

1. Tell us something about yourself  

My name is Clint Nielsen, I’m a 33 year old born and bred Australian who runs crudefitness.com. I run my own creative agency for the most part (Pixel Demon), with fitness and health being the other 50% of my work lifestyle. 

2. What determined you to start working out and having a healthy lifestyle?

For the most part, it was peer pressure back in my early twenties. I remember being out drinking with my mates and one of them mocked me by saying “Hey Clint, nice man-boobs”. It was a realization that I had let myself go, and needed to do something about it. So I set about learning and trialing a whole bunch of different methods. Obviously there was a whole bunch of trial and error in my 13+ years of training, but I think I’ve finally found the methods that work best for me and my lifestyle — which at the end of the day, should be the goal for everyone.

3. What progress have you made so far?

Where does one begin! — I’ve come a long way from where I was when I began. The biggest changes and the most notable ones are permanent sub 10% body fat year-round. I’ve found methods and strategies that allow me to have a ‘life’ as well as train hard and keep my body in check.

4. Which is your actual training routine?

I’m currently preparing RTS v2.0, so I’m going back and completing the entire training course from the original and ‘tweaking’ it along the way to make it even better. To give you an idea of what it entails: The entire concept is based around periodization and constant ‘progress’ in one of the three areas at any given time (strength, fat loss and muscle gain). Stage 1 concentrates on Strength, Stage 2 is on Muscle Gain, Stage 3 is on Fat loss with the final stage (Stage 4) concentrating on a 1 week ‘photo shoot’ strategy to get as ripped as possible (not for everyone).

5. Tell us your favorite exercise and your favorite meal!

Can You Have 5 Kids and Look Amazing at 47?

1. Tell us something about yourself!

My name is Samantha Celaya, I live in Southern California.  I am 47 years old and a mother of 5, proud grandmother of a grandson! I have been doing medical billing and collections for 20 years. 

2. For how long you’ve been working out and what progress have you made?

I started working out in June 2012 because I really needed to lose weight, thought I would be happy with losing 20 pounds.  As I continued to work out and became addicted to it, I have now lost 40 pounds!  I started out with Zumba classes then Yoga and Pilates then started a Body Pump class.  I loved lifting so I started hitting weights. I was so lost when I first started, I hit everything all in one day! LOL  After some help from my #FitFam on Twitter and the internet, I now have this down. I now lift weights daily and I am getting stronger and leaner by the day! I have gained confidence that I never imagined.

3. How did you managed to recover after your 5 pregnancies and get in the amazing shape you are today?

The only way to recover from anything is through complete dedication and discipline to no end. My children support me and my goals and they encourage me to keep going.  This new lifestyle does not include a “diet”, the key is to change your eating habits and fuel your body with healthy foods. 

4. Which is your actual training routine?

Mom of 2 Drops 37 lbs and Makes Fitness Her Lifestyle -- A Great Interview with Sarah

1. Tell us something about yourself

Hi! My name is Sarah Failla! I am a married 33 year old mother of two boys! Just this summer (’12) we relocated back to the USA after living the last 5 years in China. I don’t have a degree, but have traveled and worked in over 40 countries. Currently, I am a work at home mom as a Beachbody Coach and we also homeschool my son 1.5 days a week which mixes in with a local Montessori school he goes to. 

2. What determined you to start losing weight and to have a healthy lifestyle?

It almost happened as an accident. To explain, I didn’t set out with a goal to lose X amount of weight. I was always 170+ and honestly didn’t think going lower was possible. One summer I got one of the biggest tools that helped me lose weight -- a heart rate monitor watch. I’m serious! I am a numbers nerd and when I began seeing how many calories I burned (or didn’t burn on a lazy day) it was a reality check. And it also made it into a game to see how many calories I could burn each day. 

So with my new gadget, a Weight Watchers food guidebook, and a summer of playing outside with my husband and son I began to see the weight drop. I was happy with myself at 170 + because I didn’t think I could be smaller. I thought I was just ‘big boned’. If I had attempted to lose weight in the past I would never get under 170, which encouraged the ‘big boned’ mindset. But that summer, I saw 169 on the scale and everything changed. I kept doing what I was doing and I then saw 159! I was like WHAT??? And from there I was inspired to do more. I celebrated every pound like it was 100. Remember, I thought 170 was my set point. 

3. Tell us more about your progress over the past years.

Kelsey is Sharing Her First Experience on Stage

Remember Kelsey Aquiline? We met her in a previous interview and she was just preparing for a Fitness Competition. So we got back in touch and asked her to tell us all about this experience!

1. Hey Kelsey! It's great to have you back! I'm sure everyone is anxious to know, so tell us: have you won the competition?

I did not win the competition, although I feel like I have won!

2. No problem because we still want to hear all about it! And you can start by telling us more about the competition itself.

I competed in the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic within the BCABBA (British Columbia Amateur Body Building Association). It was the largest bodybuilding competition in BC in history and it was held in New Westminster, BC. I competed in the “Figure” category, in the tall class. I was up against a lot of amazing women, who have been doing this for a long time. I unfortunately did not manage to make top 5, but I did made second call out, which was still a win for me! That means if the placing went past 5, I would have placed between 6 and 9. 

I was 100% happy with the body I brought to the stage! Of course, I plan to grow and make more improvements on my body, but my symmetry and size were there. I was pleasantly surprised by the way my body looked on stage. I believe my downfall was my stage presence. Being my first competition ever, I really didn't know how to handle myself well on stage.

3. Tell us more about how the contest went!

In competitions there are two parts: prejudging in the morning (where majority of the judging is made) and the evening show (where the awards are issued). Due to the large amount of competitors in the show, the final decisions were made during prejudging with absolutely no room for any changes. I watched a video of myself on stage during the prejudging round, and saw where the improvements needed to be made. I feel I did correct a lot of what needed correcting by the night show. Still, there was no room for any judging changes, but that didn't mean I shouldn't do my best to make those corrections and present myself the best I possibly could.

4. Well, congratulations Kelsey! Simply to be on stage is a great achievement and requires A LOT of hard work and dedication. And speaking of that, tell us how you prepared for this competition?

Competition Prep...where do I begin!! That saying "If it was easy, everyone would do it!" definitely comes into play during preparation for a competition. And I heard it A LOT during the last two weeks leading up to the show. Physically, the last two weeks are extremely draining. Mentally, that is a whole other ball game. I expected to have to push myself to the limits. In fact, that is what I was looking forward to! I love being challenged and finding out what I am truly capable of. I looked at myself as a strong individual, body and mind. But I would be lying if I said I didn't want to give up many times. 

My training really didn’t change much. A few hours of cardio a week were added. Everyone is different, personally I was only doing 5 hours a week. It was intimidating to me though. Cardio and I are not good friends. I struggled a lot with getting those 5 hours in on top of the regular amount of weight training I had been doing. That added a lot of mental stress. I was always worrying about getting to the gym and making sure I got everything done. At times I was so exhausted, just walking into the gym made me angry and miserable. I felt like I had nothing left to give! No rest days for the last little while gave me no down time, no time to recuperate.

5. And how your diet changed?

An Inspiring Interview with Melissa Bender (Therapist, Yoga Instructor and Fitness Lover)

Holy Grail Body Transformation Program!
1. Tell us something about yourself! 

My name is Melissa Bender and I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I am an Occupational Therapist, certified yoga instructor, fitness blogger, and cross country coach. As you may have noticed from my list of occupations I don’t believe in setting limits. I believe in living life to the fullest. 

2. For how long you’ve been working out and what progress have you made?

I have been tracking my workouts on my blog for a little over a year now, but I have been working out longer than that. I started running consistently in 2008, and I started my yoga certification in 2009. Prior to that, I was a dancer and captain of a dance team. In 2007 I became a flight attendant and stopped dancing, so there was a time period where I wasn’t doing much of anything. The first time I went on a run in 2008 I realized how out of shape I had become, and slowly discovered my passion for anything fitness related. 
 

Holy Grail Body Transformation Program!

I went from barely able to jog three blocks without taking a walking break, to being able to run 13 miles and still feel great and ready for more at the end. Pure stubbornness and refusal to fail is all that got me through those first few runs. If someone told me then that I would be coaching cross country a few years down the road I wouldn’t have believed it. Physically I am stronger now, and more capable than I have ever been, even when I was dancing. My athleticism has become much more well-rounded, and my body is more defined now than it has ever been.

3. Why do you love Fitness?

I love fitness because it enables you to do so much. It teaches you how to be physically and mentally strong. It teaches you to set goals, to celebrate victories, and to never give up. I also love fitness because in my field I see the impact of health and wellness as you age. There are many things that happen in life that you can’t control (accidents, illness etc.) but when you stay fit and make healthy choices you are giving yourself the best chance and opportunity to live a happy and healthy life, and to recover from anything life may throw your way. Also, exercise makes me feel good, physically, mentally and emotionally. There is nothing more energizing than a workout.

4. Which is your actual training routine?

Mom of 3 Loves Fitness and Coaching Other People -- An Interview with Alexis

1. Tell us something about yourself 
 

My name is Alexis, I recently relocated to Florida with my husband and three children. At the present, I am taking an enormous amount of classes to finish out my degree so I don’t work full time…though I am a mom so I work nonstop. I volunteer as the assistant coach for the high school cross country team, pushing them to exceed all their conditioning and strength training limits from the past years.

2. For how long you’ve been working out and what progress have you made?
 

I have been working out for 20 years, of that I also began training and teaching for eleven years. I began working out to alleviate pain from endometrial cancer that I have had since I was 17. I found the only thing keeping me pain free was stretching and strength training. I loved how it made me feel and changed my life so I pursued my personal trainer certificate and began training others. I trained a large amount of moms who either didn’t go to the gym, couldn’t afford the gym or didn’t want to go to the gym. Personal Training has always been my first love because it’s just that, personal. I got to see a side of people you don’t normally see, or rather the side they don’t show. Watching their lives change for the better was always so rewarding for me. When I got into teaching I still saw the changes but it’s a different realm.  

3. Which is your favorite exercise?

My favorite exercise would have to be pushups! Oh ok, I do love doing clean and jerks.

4. And your favorite meal?

She's Young, Fit and Loves Pushups -- An Interview with Juliana Llop

1. Tell us something about yourself 

My name's Juliana Llop. I'm 17 years old and live in the small town of Frederick, Maryland. Currently in my senior year of high school I'm aspiring to go to college to major in pharmaceutical engineering. I am a fanatic about self improvement. My daily goal is to work on my mind, body and spirit, and although it's challenging, it's very fulfilling.

2. Single or taken? :) 

I'm in a relationship, my boyfriend and I have been together for about a year now.

3. For how long you’ve been working out and what progress have you made?

 

I've been working out for around two years and do not necessarily measure my results on a scale. However I have gained a lot more muscle, definition, and knowledge of health throughout those years. I've never felt as good as I do today!

4. Which is your favorite exercise?

My favorite exercise has to be pushups. With the variety of ways you can do pushups (military, one armed, wide armed, etc.), they target a ton of different muscles.

5. And your favorite meal?

She Plans to Open Her Own Healthy Food Store -- An Interview with Tonette

1. Tell us something about yourself 

My name is Tonette and I’m obsessed with healthy living. I live with my parents and siblings and eating healthy is a bit of a challenge because they do not eat what I eat. I’m planning to put up a health food store and move out of the house by next year! :) 

2. Married?

Nope :)

3. For how long you’ve been working out and what progress have you made? 

I’ve been working out since the start of the year and I’ve lost 20 lbs. I’ve achieved my ideal weight this summer and now my goal is to tone up and gain lean muscles.

4. Which is your favorite exercise?

Squats and Deadlifts

5. And your favorite meal?

Cute Waitress Prepares for a Fitness Competition -- An Interview with Kelsey Aquiline

1. Tell us something about yourself!

My name is Kelsey Lynn Aquiline. I am a 22 year old living in Surrey, BC, just outside out of Vancouver. I am a waitress at a restaurant called Boston Pizza. I have been there for about 4.5 years. I love being around people! Currently, I am not in school. I was going starting this past September, but I decided to compete in a Figure competition in November. I plan to start right after I compete. And I will be taking a Fitness Theory course to not only better understand what my body is going through, but also to help others. After I complete that I plan to get my degree in Nutritional Sciences.

2. Married?

I am not married, or in any type of relationship.

3. For how long you’ve been working out and what progress have you made?

I started going to the gym in September 2011. I had NO idea what I was doing! It took about 4-5 months of learning from others and researching before I started seeing any results. I was underweight when I started going to the gym. I weighed about 115lbs and I am 5 foot 7. But after being at the gym for a few months, I gained a healthy appetite as well as some new muscles and by December I was at 140lbs. I hired a coach in July to help bring me the rest of the way to a competitive stage. I have been going by her meal plans (eating clean with required cheat meals) and her workout plans since July. I am currently 3.5 weeks out of competition. I have gained an unreal amount of muscle and leaned out majority of my fat. Today I am weighing 125lbs.

4. Which is your favorite exercise?

My favorite exercise…that is a hard one. But I LOVE rows. Any type of rows, cable, hammer strength machines, dumbells, barbells… any rowing motion, I am all over it!!

5. And your favorite meal?

Favorite meal is EASY! I love oats. Plain oats, maybe a touch of cinnamon. I could live the rest of my life with oats alone! I will pair that with

Sexy Nerd Loves Fitness, IT and God -- An Interview with Monice Potgieter

1. Tell us something about yourself!

•        My name is Monice Potgieter, I am 22 years old and I live in sunny South Africa.

•        I am a part time student, in my 3^rd year for Bsc Computer Systems (Through Heriot Watt University), so yes I’m kind of a nerd haha.

•        I also work full time as an Instructor, I teach at a college called CTI College and the course I present is Information Systems Network Engineering.

•        I also am a child of God, I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross and we need to tell the whole world about His amazing grace :)

•        As you can notice my main interests are Fitness, IT, and God.

2. Married?

•        I am not married, but I am currently in a relationship with someone.

3. For how long you've been working out and what progress have you made?

•        I have been working out hard for 3 years, I have gained a lot of muscle since then, and all I am focusing on now is gaining muscle maturity which will come with time.

4. Which is your favorite exercise?

•        This is difficult, there are so many! I think I would have to say dumbbell shoulder presses; I love them because I can go really heavy and get a massive pump out of them!

5. And your favorite meal?

•        My favorite meal when dieting will be salmon or tuna sashimi.

6. Which is your actual goal?

•        My goal is to beat myself every day, I compete against myself. I want to make it in the fitness industry, but most of all, I want to stay healthy and body-proud.

7. Do guys usually hit on you at the gym?

•        Yes

8. If the answer is "yes", which is the worst pick-up line you ever heard?

•        The worst two I have ever heard is, “why don’t you ever smile?” duh because I’m here to gym! And the second one a guy asked me to lift his weight for him because he couldn’t reach it while in the position he was in (there was a ton of other guys around he could’ve asked).

9. How can people get in touch with you?

•        You can contact me on My Facebook or email me at: monice.potgieter@gmail.com 

10. And finally say a few words to the readers of Body-Buildin.com!

•        Don’t give up on your dreams, period. Hard work pays off!

Article by Craig Wilson

The Body Transformation of Hank Uhlaender

With this post I'm starting a new category of articles on this site: successful body transformations of regular people! And the first one that I will present to you is the transformation of Hank Uhlaender, who now has an incredible body (the image below says it all). So here is his story:

I lost 48 lbs with the help of David Lee Nall! 

"Simply said, David is great to work with and most of all his methods get results. I have an extraordinary story to tell but it’s also a very long story. Respectfully, I’ll make this a quick, easy read and encapsulate everything into a few paragraphs. I made the decision to lose weight and get in shape after a couple of embarrassing job interviews, mounting health issues, and a sour date I'd had enough. With God’s grace I found a magazine called Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness where I discovered David’s article and I connected with his story. I followed David’s footsteps that he outlined in his article and I had great success. My health was improving, at this point I was well on my way but I needed further help. I then took a leap of faith and I hired David to be my coach. He gave me a phone consultation, customized diet plan and workout routine. This was my first time dieting and following a workout regimen so I emailed him with lots of questions. David always responded promptly and provided the answers, information, and resources that I needed to learn, develop and improve myself. I’ve since had two phone consultations and four in person training sessions.

My plans are to continue my fitness journey and keep training for an INBF show next year. I feel very blessed to have been able to change and be able to live a healthy lifestyle. I appreciate David offering his services, sharing his experience and knowledge and for his leadership."

Hank Uhlaender
www.contestconditioning.com