World Physique

Interviewed by Tammy Renee'

WP: Congratulations on winning our 'Rising Star of the Month'. How long have you been in the fitness industry?

DS: Thank you! I've been in the fitness industry my entire life as an adult but, took it to a professional level 3 1/2 years ago.

WP: What made you decide to get into the fitness industry?

DS: I've always been intrigued at the capabilities you have with the human body and what we can do with it with the proper exercise and nutrition. Living a healthy lifestyle, for my own self, is what interests me, as well.

WP: What helps you get up each morning?

DS: Knowing that the protein shake and omega3 peanut butter is in the kitchen waiting on me is what gets me up in the morning. Ha-ha! On more of the serious side though, when I open my eyes realizing that I’ve been given another day with endless possibilities ahead of me, It's all up to me is what does it!

WP: What motivates you?

DS: Fitness is such a deep passion for me that, in itself, is all the motivation I need to be able to live that passion every day.

WP: Do you also model? If so, tell me about it.

DS: At this point, I’ve only done small modeling shoots with photographer friends to better help them with their portfolio, along with my own, as I am very interested in getting into more modeling in the future as I love pictures.

WP: Who is the friend that you have you worked with?

DS: Daryl Nelms Photography.

WP: What are you goals?

DS: I would love to be on the cover of a national magazine to show women that you can do it, no matter who you are or age.

WP: How does your training differ when you are modeling and when you are not?

DS: My meals would just be altered slightly with carbs as to effects the leanness. That’s about the only difference.

WP: What future projects do you have planned?

DS: My main future project is my next body building competition to end the 2009 season, but only to take it to the next level, which I intend to go National in 2010, as my last win of the NC State Championship Masters Division has already nationally qualified me.

WP: I heard you just won the North Carolina State Championships! Wasn’t this your first competition?

DS: Yes, I won my 1st competition! It was April 17th, 2009 at the North Carolina State Championship, which I won 1st place in the Masters Division and also, won 3rd in the Open lightweight bodybuilding. I now carry the NC State Title and am Nationally Qualified.

WP: I am so proud of you! How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off-season?

DS: I’m one that never goes off-season! Body building and staying fit is not a hobby that I go on and off. It’s a lifestyle for me that I couldn’t imagine living any different.

WP: More competitors need to follow your lead about making it a lifestyle. What have you learned that you like and dislike about competing so far?

DS: I love competing, as I’m a very competitive person, and welcome a good challenge! The part that I don’t care for is when some competitors don’t have fun with it, and take it too serious and instead of us supporting each other, some are against each other in a negative way.

WP: I’ve heard other complain about the same thing as you just did. What would you change about the judges in the competitions?

DS: To not allow some of the politics to effect their decisions that sometimes happens.

WP: What federation do you compete in?

DS: NCNPC.

WP: Are you aiming for a pro card? If so, tell me what you are planning to reach your goal.

DS: Possibly, I haven’t made a complete decision on that.

WP: From your past contest, what have you learned you need to correct or work on for the physique you are aiming for?

DS: With my height even though I am blessed with the ability to lean and cut very well, I have to pack on a little more muscle mass, as competing against another female much shorter can hold more mass easier than I can.

WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in your physique? How are you attempting to correct them?

DS: My weaknesses so far has been my legs as I had no muscle mass, because of being a vivid runner of 15-20 miles a week for the last 10 years. But, I’ve trained very hard over the last year and focused on that area to build more muscle in my legs which I’m accomplishing.

WP: What problems did you have to overcome in order to stay on track with your fitness program?

DS: Only days that I would be struggling with lack of energy would I get challenged to train as hard and possibly have the urge to skip a workout.

WP: How have you, mentally and physically, changed over the years?

DS: Well, I’ve been nicknamed “Sunshine” because that’s how I live and present myself most of my days, my mental and emotional state has turned around so much more positive the healthier I’ve become over the years, as we all need balance with everything in our life; emotionally, physically and mentally to stay healthy. My fitness not only helps me on the outside, but most of all on the inside. And physically, I’ve changed so much with actually carrying the same weight that I used to, but carrying it in muscle mass instead of body fat which is a huge difference, especially in appearance.

WP: Any shout outs?

DS: I like to make a shout out to my mom! I am happy that my goal for her to get to see me on that stage at least one time; which she did as I won the NC State Title in the process. And of course my awesome trainer, IFBB Pro Johnny Stewart, that got me there. Last, but definitely not least, God because he has blessed me with the health to take care of myself and stay fit.

WP: What were you like in high school?

DS: In high school, I was shy, quiet and was predicted to become a nun. Ha-ha! Boy, did I fool my class!

WP: That’s too funny! Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like?

DS: I get my A.M. cardio as soon as my feet touch the floor then breakfast immediately following. I created and built my own business working with animals in 1995, so a full day of my other passion working with animals. I eat 6 meals a day that are space 2-3 hrs. a part through the day, so typically I prepare numerous days of meals all at one time. I always put my gym weight training towards the late evening in between meals, then end with evening cardio.

WP: If I were to open your fridge and kitchen cabinets, what would I find in them?

DS: Ha-ha! What a question! I have lots of Oatmeal, Omega 3 everything; from eggs, peanut butter to walnuts, lots of egg whites, tilapia, chicken, and broccoli. I love bananas. And that pretty much sums it up.

WP: If I were to walk into your house and have a look around, what type of fitness equipment would I find?

DS: If you came into my house, you would find a complete fitness room I designed with all Universal weights, squat rack, and my treadmill that sits right in my living room in front of the wall TV plasma, exercise ball and several free weights.

WP: You so spoil yourself! Ha! What are your hobbies outside of fitness?

DS: I love the outdoors, especially water activities, mountain hiking and traveling. I spend a lot of time on the lake for the weekends boating. I’ve also traveled to numerous of islands across the world. I’m very creative so always doing home projects whether painting leather walls or laying Italian ceramic tile which was my latest projects.

WP: It’s funny that when I ask everyone that question, I cannot recall one person mentioning hunting. Is that because fitness folks can’t sit that long to hunt? Ha-ha! Where are you going from here? What are your future goals for your career, this industry, and your physique?

DS: There’s no limit which I’ve not put on myself, so who knows where I’m going from here, as the possibilities are out there. I do everything to the best of my ability, so the possibility is limitless. I do know that I will go nationally to compete; if not further. And, I do intend to take my body to the next level of packing on a little more muscle mass then, I’ll be satisfied.

WP: That attitude right there is why you hold this title! How do you make time for yourself? How do you relax and hide from the stress of the world?

DS: I make the time. If I don’t, then no one else will. No matter how hectic all of our schedules become, we have to take time. I’m selective with my choices of activities and keep my priorities straight to make sure my fitness, and myself, doesn’t suffer. A nice long 3 mile run clears my mind more than anything.

WP: Tell me more about your trainer you were talking about earlier.

DS: IFBB Pro, Johnny Stewart, is my trainer and has taken me to the level I have already reached. He obviously knows what he’s doing with over 20 years of experience and placed 6 times nationally. After being through other trainers, it was a blessing to find Johnny.

WP: Tell me about your family. In addition, tell me if you are married, single, dating around, etc.

DS: I have been a single parent of a wonderful 18 year old daughter from a 14 year marriage in 1995, which drove me harder to where I am at today. My parents are my best friends and had the most impact on me during my life, as I see and talk to them daily. After being single for 14 years, I’ve finally decided to date a wonderful man in my life that is not only my best friend, but he’s my biggest fan.

WP: How do you feel you have improved you and your life?

DS: I’m in the best health I’ve ever been in my life and the most balanced not only physically, mentally, but emotionally, as well. My eating habits alone, that I have learned to live by, has also stopped several health problems, probably more than I knew were already there.

WP: The interview is coming to a close now. Is there anything that you would like to add prior the end of the interview?

DS: “Don’t follow your dreams; live them!”

WP: Amen! We are delighted to have you featured as our ‘Rising Star of the Month’. Thank you for taking the time out to hold this interview with us. We wish you the best of luck in the future.