Interview with Sam Attrill - INBA Natural Olympia
Competitor of the Month - March 2010
Interviewed by: Angela Courduff
WP: At 39 years of age, Sam decided to compete. She entered and won her first competition at the age of 40. She had never previously picked up a weight before deciding to compete, but she always kept fit and loved running, biking and swimming.
Going on to win several more titles, Sam decided to take a break from competing and went overseas on a holiday, only to become infected with the swine flu whilst there. Stuck in quarantine for over a week in a foreign country was less than an ideal situation, as she needed to be ready to compete again, within a few months, in the World's Natural, INBA Natural Olympia.
Even though she struggled and fought to stay on top of her game after arriving back home, she defeated all odds and took the title! keep reading to hear more of this amazing story of Sam Attrill.
“No matter what you want to do in life, you are never too old. You have the power within to do anything that you desire. If your passion is competing, I say go for it!”
WP: Congratulations on winning our ‘Competitor of the Month’. I am sure everyone reading this wants to learn more about you. Can you tell our readers a little about yourself?
SA: Sure, Angela! It is a pleasure to be here. I am 41 years old, an Australian Figure Competitor, Personal Trainer, and mother of two.
WP: You are one super fit mom! When did you become interested in health and fitness?
SA: Health and fitness has always been an important part of my life, and, the older I get, the more important it seems to become.
WP: At the age of 39, you set yourself a very lofty goal to compete in your first figure competition when you turned 40. Tell us about your first competition!
SA: Well, prior to my decision, I went and watched a bodybuilding competition in which my niece was competing. After that show, I turned to my husband and said that next year when I was 40 I was going to enter my first competition. Two months later, I started training for my first competition that was in six months time. I won that show and was hooked on competing!
WP: You won your very first show? Amazing! And, you had never picked up a weight prior to training for that competition! How did you prepare for the show?
SA: I have always held some sort of fitness throughout my life, but that never included weights. I only started weight training when I decided to do my first show. So, at 39 years of age, I picked up my first weight. When preparing for my first show, I put all my efforts into weight training and getting in condition. I never really focused on the stage part of competing, and I realized after my first show that it is one very important part.
WP: It didn’t take you long before you stepped on the National stage. Tell us about your first national show!
SA: After only my second competition and win, I was picked to go to the Nationals. I absolutely loved the experience, getting to know all the wonderful people in the industry and seeing so many of my inspirations on stage. It was a totally amazing experience, and I could not believe I was among some of the best natural competitors in Australia.
WP: You dealt with some health issues prior to competing in the Western Australia’s INBA/IFBB State Titles. What happened? How did you wind up doing in the show?
SA: Prior to this competition, my family took a holiday to Bali, Indonesia. On the flight over, we all contracted the Swine Flu and by the time we landed in Bali, my son got very sick. Within hours, we all started to feel the same way. We all were taken to Denpasar Hospital for a blood test, but once we were there, we were locked away in quarantine. It was an extremely bad experience, and not knowing what was going on and the lack of communication was very hard. They had us in a locked room for 7 days with no facilities. We were unable to eat much of the food as it always came to us at room temperature and we could not recognize most of the food we were given.
We came back to Australia and I was still sick and had lost muscle mass and weight. I was supposed to start competition prep on my return from the holiday, but was not well enough. With only 5 weeks until my competition and still not feeling very well, I started my competition prep as I could not leave it go any longer. This was the hardest prep I had ever done. Also, I knew that if I did not get into shape, my trainer did not want me to compete. I was constantly tired and drained as my body was still trying to get well, yet I was constantly putting it through extreme exercise. I fought through it and, even though there were many times I wanted to give up, I didn’t allow myself to and kept thinking positive. I went on to compete in two competitions on the same day and won my division and overall in both. Two weeks later, I won the Natural Olympia Title!
WP: Your experience is truly inspirational. The fact that you pushed yourself under those conditions and still came out on top is so motivating! Reflecting on the past 2 years, what have you learned from your experiences?
SA: I’ve learned that weight training is an integral part of any exercise program. I have a better body today than I did 20 years ago. It not only makes you feel younger, but look younger, too!
WP: How does it feel to be a World Natural Figure Champion?
SA: I still can’t believe after all I went through that I ended up with a World Title! It just goes to show that with determination and passion, anything can be done. It made all the hurt, pain and hard times worth it all in the end.
WP: Your persistence certainly paid off. Do you have any shows lined up for 2010?
SA: I am now in competition preparation for the IFBB Australian’s in April in Sydney, Australia, where I hope to qualify to compete in the US.
WP: We will definitely be rooting for you! Any advice for someone interested in competing who thinks they might be too old to do it?
SA: No matter what you want to do in life, you are never too old. You have the power within to do anything that you desire. If your passion is competing, I say go for it!
WP: Can you give me an example of your champion workout?
SA: Sure!
Monday: Power session
Tuesday: High intensity weights
Wednesday: Cardio
Thursday: High intensity weights
Friday: Cardio
Saturday: High intensity weights
Sunday: Cardio
WP: Not one day off; a true champion never rests! How has your workout regime changed over the years?
SA: It really has varied from when I was younger and played team sports to taking up running, bike riding and swimming in my later years. The biggest change since I began competing is that now I have incorporated weight training, as well.
WP: What are the key factors that dictate the way you train? Has anything changed since you first started competition training?
SA: The key factor to my training is to make sure I always go heavy and hard. I am always challenging myself and mixing the training up so my body never has a chance to get used to what I am doing. My training has changed now from when I first started. I no longer need to build the muscle as much and concentrate on toning more than on increasing size.
WP: How does your on-season diet differ from off-season?
SA: My diet is relatively clean all year round. The only difference is that my calories are lower on-season than they are in the off-season.
WP: Do you take any supplements?
SA: I take vitamins everyday along with Glutamine.
WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
SA: I would have to say knowledge. I have learned so much along the way from some of the best in the business. Each and every day, I learn something new that I did not know the previous day. This helps me to always be taking steps forward.
WP: Can you tell me more about your family? You mentioned you have two children!
SA: Yes, I am married and have been for fifteen years now. We have two boys, ages 14 and 12. My family is my rock; they are so supportive and I feel so very lucky to have them in my life.
WP: You were very active growing up; are you still involved in any other sports or activities? What do you do in your spare time?
SA: I like most sports, but unfortunately don’t have the time to participate in much these days. I tend to do a lot more different things when on holiday and have the time. My spare time is mainly taken up with my children and their sports. When I do get some time, I love nothing more than taking my Harley out for a ride or taking long walks along the beach. These give me a great sense of freedom!
WP: Ooh, a Harley girl! You have been extremely successful so early in your figure career. Can you list all your titles for us?
SA: 20081st place - Australian Elite Show
Masters Figure
1st place - INBA WA State Titles
Masters Figure
3rd place - INBA National Titles
Masters Figure
2009
1st place - WFF WA State Titles
Open Figure and Overall
1st place - WFF National Titles
Masters Figure
1st place - INBA WA State Titles
Open Figure and Overall
1st place - IFBB WA State Titles
Open Figure and Overall
1st place - INBA Natural Olympia
Masters Figure and Overall
WP: Absolutely amazing! Where do you see your career and life in 10 years?
SA: Sometime within the next 10 years, I would love to be able to get the opportunity to compete in the US with my ultimate goal to be the first IFBB Masters Pro from Australia. Also, within that time frame, I would love to be living in Bali, Indonesia, working in my own gym and helping people achieve their goals.
WP: What a motivated woman you are; you have a lot you still want to accomplish! What do you consider to be important in life, and why?
SA: Happiness and Health! It is the key to a life full of success, longevity and fulfillment.
WP: Any future projects in the works?
SA: Yes, actually I do. I have just started up a business with my partner and niece, Tarashakti, who is just as passionate about health and fitness as I am. We will be providing nutrition and training advice, competition preparation, health and wellness programs, and food preparation for both nutrition clients and the wider community. All Forever Fit and Fresh meals will be healthy, nutritionally balanced dishes using certified organic and/or locally grown produce, as well as the highest quality meats, free range chicken, turkey and eggs. We are both passionate about bringing our knowledge together to help others achieve wellness and longevity and will compile information to present to various groups at private seminars.
WP: That’s fantastic! Be sure to keep WP posted on your up-and-coming business! So, do you have any pet peeves?
SA: Yes! It is very disturbing to me to see what parents put into their children’s lunchboxes. Children need to be taught good eating habits and the importance of health at an early age. Children can’t sustain energy on a package of chips. Education is the key to knowledge, and we would also like to present our nutrition and health programs to schools.
WP: Do you have any shout outs?
SA: Oh, yes! Even though this is an individual sport, so many people help you along the way. First, my trainer Larry Hook; this man has made me what I am today. He has pushed me further than I ever thought was possible. I have the utmost respect for him, and I am so fortunate to have him as my trainer. Second, to one of Australia’s best figure competitors and my very good friend, Christine Hajjar; she is an amazing woman who has shown and given me so much. Lastly, to my family and friends, without them, none of this would have been possible.
WP: Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to add?
SA: With competing in the US being such a big goal of mine, getting a sponsor would be an integral part of achieving it. I have networking abilities within Australia to promote any product or services for any prospective sponsor. So, if anyone is interested in sponsoring me, please email me at sam@samattrill.com.
WP: I really hope you attain that goal! It has been a pleasure interviewing you, Sam! Best of luck in your figure show in April!
