Interview With Natalie Lynn
Featured Model - December 2009
Interviewed by: Angela Courduff
WP: Natalie Lynn was born a dancer. She started her active career in ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip hop styles. In addition, she was very active in sports; she participated in poms, swimming, soccer and dance squads. She currently keeps up her health and mental attitude by striving to become a nationally recognized model, continue her fitness career and keeping up with her dance skills.
She's been featured in several fitness magazines, including Oxygen and Fitness and Physique. She has also done various promotional web work and advertising campaigns.
Natalie Lynn has had opportunity to dabble in hosting with Live Nation, appeared on the cover of Gearhead News; a Chicago land widely-distributed automotive magazine, while continuing her fitness career, competing with Fitness America. She has even accomplished being an NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Is there anything this lady can't do?
Hi Natalie! I’m very excited about interviewing you, as you have quite an eclectic mix of talents and interests! What sports have you competed in?
NL: A bunch! I competed in swimming, poms and dancing growing up. Poms was the most exciting sport as my team came in third in state!
WP: Have you competed in figure or fitness? Can you tell me about it?
NL: I’ve competed in fitness, bikini and model. I was doing fitness, solely, until I discovered I had skin cancer. Once I had that little situation resolved, I jumped back in the game with the bikini and model competitions. I have an amazing routine that I can’t wait to bring to the stage in the upcoming year!
WP: You are really a trooper! Good for you for getting right back up on stage! What has competing taught you?
NL: I’ve learned so much it’s hard to even describe and, yet, it has nothing to do with “fitness”. This sport has taught me balance, strength, integrity and joy. Growing up in a family that was not always positive, I had to learn how to be happy. It wasn’t that my parents were depressed; they were just anxiety-ridden, sometimes to an extreme. I would be afraid to smile because of the “bad” that may be around the corner. However, by surrounding myself with so many other fitness people, I’ve learned to experience joy every day and to live with excitement for all the things I could achieve and accomplish in this life!
WP: You have certainly developed a very positive attitude and I’m glad fitness could help! What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started preparing for competitions?
NL: Like a lot of people, I imagine, it was difficult having family and friends not understand the nutritional aspect of competition and not understand why you may want to skip the cake!
WP: Will you be competing again in the near future?
NL: I’m looking forward to an active 2010 season!
WP: Great! What was your training like when you were preparing for competition?
NL: My training for competitions, which is my training all the time, incorporates cardio, weights, functional training, yoga, dance and routine practice. I love it!
WP: What is your competition diet like?
NL: It is definitely balanced and I incorporate all food types, even dairy. Everything is precisely measured and defined beforehand!
WP: Can you tell me how your training has changed over the years?
NL: I’ve added yoga, which has helped me with my flexibility tremendously!
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?
NL: I incorporate low intensity and high intensity sessions of cardio and always lift heavy. It is really hard for me to add any muscle to my frame, so I can’t back down from this!
WP: I am all for hitting the heavy weights! What do you feel has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
NL: A lot of hard work and perseverance. I’ve also had some mentors and trainers along the way whose help and instruction I am so very thankful for.
WP: What do you believe it takes to maintain your physique?
NL: Diet is everything!
WP: Can you give me an example of your current diet? What do you normally eat each day?
NL: My diet consists of clean protein, only two starches a day and the rest of my carbohydrates are in the form of fruits and veggies, and two servings of fat per day and only healthy fats! I live alone, so I absolutely do not keep things in my house that might be of temptation to me. I have no self control otherwise!
WP: Do you currently take any supplements?
NL: The best supplements I have been taking are BCAA’s, Glutamine and Joint Support.
WP: What is the hardest thing you have had to deal with when it comes to your diet?
NL: Staying on the diet after a bad day at work can be an issue for me, and sometimes I get the munchies when it gets close to bedtime! I just try to put the cravings out of my mind, or thankfully I’m too tired or lazy to get up and grab something to eat anyway!
WP: What other activities are you involved in?
NL: I model extensively, work on conservation efforts both locally and globally, and I work in research developing Molecular Pathology testing. I’m currently studying to be a Molecular Pathology Specialist to add to my Virology Specialty certifications.
WP: Wow, beauty and brains! Can you tell me about your family? You mentioned you live alone so, you must not be married. Are you dating or have any children?
NL: I have a significant other that I’ve been with for several years. He is amazing and supportive!
WP: What are some of your proudest accomplishments? Tell me about them.
NL: I am very proud to have graduated with honors in the medical field and I’m now involved in research developing molecular assays. I’ve got numerous pieces of artwork completed, I continue to further my knowledge in personal training techniques, and I work as an environmentalist both locally and globally. I’m a big advocate of working to control climate change and helping to preserve our environment, especially wildlife.
WP: You have a lot of different interests and should be very proud of all your work! Who are some of your fitness industry idols? Who do you admire most in the business?
NL: I’m very much into modeling and being fit, so I admire Jamie Eason and JNL the most. They take some pretty fabulous photos!
WP: I will have to agree with you on that! Can you tell me some of the photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?
NL: I am really anxious to work with Paul Buceta! That is a huge goal of mine that I will accomplish in 2010. Some great photographers I have worked with thus far are John Lathrop, William Uz, and Tony of OAMG! They come highly recommended!
WP: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
NL: Hopefully I will be married, and I definitely plan to still be active in fitness in one way or another. There are so many ways of staying involved in the fitness industry, including personal training, writing, mentoring, etc.
WP: Very true! Can you tell me what your pet peeves are?
NL: People who are unaware of their surroundings, or other people, and those who have no consideration for life of all other species.
WP: What do you consider to be important in life? Why?
NL: Happiness and balance. Well, balance helps maintain the happiness. Not everything is about competing or accomplishing that next goal. Sometimes, it is about stopping and smelling the roses and putting the rest to the side for the moment! I also believe in treating all life as sacred.
WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
NL: I’m much more relaxed, balanced, and joyful!
WP: Do you have any future projects in the works?
NL: I have many things in the works fitness-wise, including advertising clothes, supplements, etc. I’m also working on having my own TV show called, “Environmentally Fashionable/Globally Healthy”. It’ll be an internet-based network show highlighting ways to help our environment while living a healthy, yet fashionable lifestyle.
WP: Before we close this interview, do you have any shout outs?
NL: Sure! To my parents and to Tommy! I wouldn’t be anywhere without them! I also have a great number of friends who are always helpful and supportive to me and that is so very much appreciated!
WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you the best of luck in your future fitness endeavors!
