Donna McGinn a.k.a. “Donna Mc” is Rx Muscle's Member of the Month for March 2014

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Published on Tuesday, 04 March 2014 19:12

Written by Curt James

Donna McGinn a.k.a. “Donna Mc” is Rx Muscle's Member of the Month for March 2014

 

This month's spotlight shines on a member who is active in Training Journals on the forums, a Women's Physique competitor, Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), fitness columnist, and proud mother of three lovely daughters and comic book fans – superheroes, Star Wars, and anime! :-) Let's learn more about Donna McGinn!

Donna has been showcased by RxGirl on RxMuscle.com. Check out her interview there @ http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/athlete-profiles/9586-spotlight-on-npc-womens-physique-competitor-donna-mcginn.html 

You've been known to support fellow competitors (example: doing cardio with one, abs with another, walking with another). What does this say about the iron game as a selfish endeavor?

To me it’s much more fun and challenging to do some of my workouts with the friends I have made at my gym. I like that we push each other to do better at everything. Lifting, dieting, cardio... We have a nice little community at our gym. We support each other, even when we are competing against each other. We help each other out. 

My trainer and his wife do a free posing clinic every Sunday morning at the gym to anyone that wants to compete and I’ve just started helping out because they are both competing this year and they want to practice, too. My girlfriend has just taken on the task of helping people choreograph their routines. I also offer to help people with their music and I give our competitors massages when they need it. 

We help each other pick out the perfect suits, jewelry, help with hair and make-up for competition and more. I’ve given away posing suits, heels and straps to fellow competitors and I also made team shirts for the first time we had a big group of people compete from our gym. We tend to be a team, supporting each other. Even the power lifters support the bodybuilders and vice versa. I love watching the strong men competitions they have. Fun! I think it works best for all that way. 

From your training journal, I also noticed you concentrate on the mind muscle connection. What other training strategies or techniques do you consider especially important?

Pyramids, drop sets, super sets. Sometimes going light but super strict and slow with pauses. Others, heavy as you can using all your force to get that weight up. It depends on what you need to do to your body at that time. For me, after this past year, we knew I needed to work on my upper body. Needed some width to my back. So twice a week for a few months I did back and lats.

My legs are my best feature so I probably go lighter on them then the other girls do. Sometimes we’ll try new things just to see how my body reacts to it. Right now doing light, but very strict, stiff legged dumbbell dead lifts is killing my hamstrings. All my concentration is in the hamstrings and glutes. Rounded back, weights down to my toes and just squeezing my hamstrings and glutes to come up to about thigh level. Do about 20 of those and tell me if you don’t feel it. If you don’t, you’re not squeezing hard enough.

Care to expand on “moderately bludgeoning” bodyparts? :-D

LOL! You have to tell me where you got this. Was I talking about MY body parts? Sounds like leg day. Lol!

haHA I'd have to look, but it was in your training journal, I believe.

And speaking of your training journal, which lifting records are you most proud of?

All of them! Lol! Squats, dead lifts 3 plates, machine chest press 160 lbs., leg press 7 plates, How many reps can you do on the vertical leg press machine as your last set... think I did about 50 before I said, Uncle. Dumbbell rows... 100 lbs. Now, I don’t do these all the time. We’ll hit it a few times and then go lighter. Maybe hit it again another day when I need to.

Do you have any goal PRs in mind?

Anymore, no. I’ve been lectured about being a “meathead”. Apparently it’s not a good thing. Lol! I’m supposed to be shaping my body... not overworking it. Sigh. But... if my super woman mode came on and I was able to up the plates on my squats, deads and leg presses without killing myself, I’d be thrilled.

Wraps, straps, gloves, false grips, have you been able to solve your cramping forearms problem?

They don’t cramp up as much anymore. I think I’m getting better at relaxing my grip on the dumbbells and bars as I work the right body part and try not to cheat so much with my forearms. When you’re a beginner you try to get the weight up any way you can. Unfortunately, you will never develop the muscle you need to develop by doing that. That’s where the straps, false grip and wraps come in. Especially when the weight is very heavy. You don’t need to concentrate so much on trying to keep that weight from slipping out of your hand if you have a strap on it.

 

Do you use any particular strap? I know Jay Cutler promotes a specific brand, do you?

I use a free pair I got from Animal Flex. Lol! Though I’ve looked into the different kinds at sporting goods stores. The hooked ones seem cool, but the hooks hang down too long for me. Then there are the short wide straps. Maybe a little too short to really grip well. So I just stick with my freebies. They work fine.

What can you tell us about Pole dance for fitness? Is it better for cardio than boxing?

I used to teach pole dance for fitness back before it became a popular thing. It’s great for cardio, strength training and flexibility. I don’t think it’s better than boxing for cardio. Both can work up a good sweat if you do it long enough.

What's it like working with David Johnston?

It’s been a hell of a learning experience. He taught me how to lift correctly. Got me further in competition than I thought I would go. I’ve been yelled at, lectured, corrected, and threatened in front of the whole gym... and I pay him to do that. Is that nuts or what? But you know what... when I was looking for a trainer I wanted someone that would tell me like it is. Don’t spare my feelings because I’d rather know I’m not going to cut it before I step on that stage and embarrass myself. I knew I needed someone to push me more than I could myself and it worked for me. Thanks David!

How did you get into contact with him?

A couple of friends told me about him. He did their training and prep... and they both placed top 5 in their first shows.

And how would you advise others interested in working with an advisor or trainer?

For competition? I’d get one. Especially one that has a good reputation. Has competitors that place well at shows. Someone that really knows their stuff.

How is Women’s Physique treating you?

So far so good. When I first started I was going for Figure. As I leaned out it became apparent that I was too muscular for it. Plus I really wanted to compete in Physique the more I got into bodybuilding. I like being able to do the different poses and not just stand there. The only thing I was afraid of was the routine at the night show. 

Do you have a favorite Women's Physique competitor, someone you'd call a role model?

As I said before, I don’t really know many Pros since I am new at this. I like Valerie Gangi because she seems genuinely nice. I liked her muscle and conditioning at her last two shows. That’s basically when I first saw her so can’t compare to her past shows. Though I am glad DLB won the Olympia because she has a smaller build, like me. And to me that choice should set the precedence of what women’s physique should look like… for at least another year, till the judges change their minds. Lol! 

Do you have a current goal contest?

Hoping to get my Pro card at this Masters Nationals in July. After that I’d like to be able to step on stage as a Pro in what I believe to be the first ever all Masters Pro competition in August. 

Kudos on your accomplishments thus far!

2013 IFBB North American Championships Over 45 Class C, 3rd place

2013 NPC Teen, Collegiate, and Master's Nationals, Over 45 Class C, 3rd place

2013 NPC Muscle Max Classic, 5th place

2013 NPC Baltimore Gladiator Championships, 2nd place

What contest is missing there? I thought there were five total contests mentioned in a thread or other interview.

No, these are right. I only did 4. I think that’s enough for my first year competing. I wasn’t supposed to do that many but just barely missed getting my Pro card at the Masters Nationals, so I had to try again four weeks later at North Americans. I keep getting 3rd place. So close.

 

Good luck in July! Is there anyone you see as your chief or main competition?

Thank you! There are plenty of girls that have been doing this longer than I have. So they are all considered my competition. I just have to work on myself like a fiend and then see who shows up.

What's your least favorite thing about bodybuilding?

Besides leg day? Doing 2 hours of cardio about 6 days out of the week, which I had to do leading up to one of my shows. It takes a lot of time out of your day when you add it on to the other things you have to do. If the weather is nice and I can get out and do something I’ll do one hour of HIIT in the gym and then go out and bike trails for an hour or hiking. That helps break it up physically, gives you different scenery to look at and gives you a mental break at the same time.

What's your favorite thing about bodybuilding?

Seeing the results. Even the smallest thing, if you notice it, is a foot in the right direction and keeps you going.

How were you introduced to the weights?

My ex used to lift, but nothing like I do now. But it was a start.

What inspires you?

Different things inspire me at different times. My trophies, pictures I have of bodybuilders showing off different parts of their body I’d like mine to look like, or posters of bodybuilding shows that I work at. Some of the inspirational quotes you see floating around on the different sites. My friends and my trainer when we talk shop and about shows coming up. Sometimes even pure strangers that come up to me and remark about my appearance helps. If they can see what I’ve been working for then I must be going in the right direction.

That must be a boost to get positive feedback on your physique. Have you had any strangers make negative remarks? 

Not too much. When I get close to my competition I will be totally shredded. I’ve had strangers come up to me and tell me to eat something… anything.

Who are some of your favorite bodybuilders?

My favorite bodybuilders are people I know personally and spend time with at the gym. Plus the few that I know from working with them at the local shows.

And what do you do at the shows you work at?

I usually expedite the competitors. My day will start early before anyone shows up and lasts way after everyone goes home. I help set up the building for all those competitors. We cover as much of the building in plastic and paper so their tanning solution will not get all over the place. But, it still does. Lol!

Before the show starts we get the list of competitors and which categories they are competing in, in order so the right person will walk out on stage when the announcer calls out their name. 

During the show I do a lot of shouting. We have to find the right people and put them in the right order to be ready to walk out on stage. So, we are calling for, say, bodybuilders, middle heavies, numbers 102, 103, 104, 106, 109, 111… Okay, now we have to find all those people and they are not all in the holding pen. 

Some are in the bathroom getting ready. Some are watching the event in the audience… some are outside… and most are so carb depleted they just don’t hear us calling for them six times in a row… right in front of their faces. Lol! It’s crazy! 

But eventually we get it done with very little no shows. I try to help people that are new to competing and answer as many questions as I know the answers, too. Usually it’s, “How much time do I have before I go on stage so I can run to the bathroom?”

Once the show is over, the clean-up starts. And I’ll tell you… it’s a mess. After a long day like that, no one really wants to clean up after all those people. I’m amazed some of these places let us continue to use their buildings after seeing what people do. To me it’s shameful. We are all adults going to these shows. There should not be a mess when you leave. Okay, rant over.

That sounds like a lot of work, but I'm sure the competitors appreciate it.

Did you emulate anyone when you first became involved in the iron game?

No. When I started all this I didn’t know any famous bodybuilders except the few you see on the big screen. I didn’t start bodybuilding because of them... and I still don’t try to emulate anyone. I will look at pictures of different women bodybuilders once in a while to make sure I’m going in the right direction with my build. I feel I have to do things differently to get somewhere in all this. 

Bodybuilding is a subjective sport. Looks and how you carry yourself do make a big difference once you have the muscle and perfect conditioning. I would never look or act like DLB. That seems to work for her, but it would never work for me. I have to find what works the best for me.

Let’s step out of the gym…

Favorite TV show? 

You’re going to hate me… I don’t watch TV anymore. 

I'm with you there. Gave up cable a long time ago.

When I went back to school I just didn’t have time so I gave it up and I don’t miss it at all.

What did you return to school to pursue?

I went back to school to become a licensed massage therapist. It definitely helps me with that mind muscle connection. Knowing every muscle in the body and which directions they run, insertions and origins. It helps when talking to my trainer about what I feel when doing certain exercises. Is it the reason I fell in love with bodybuilding in the first place. 

Just think, we all have the same muscles and bones in our bodies and yet everyone on that stage is different. Some have longer muscle bellies and some shorter, some with denser muscles, some with thicker or thinner skin. We are all unique. To see a body that is totally developed and then shredded so you can see every muscle and how it moves is way too cool – a living human anatomy chart. 

A friend that got me into this was getting ready for a show at the time I was in school learning about the muscles. He would show me his progress pics and pose for me and I would just start naming the muscles as they became visible through his conditioning. That, to me, was cool. I even used him in one of my school projects. I think the teacher was impressed. I got a 100% and a little note that said he wished he could give me more. Lol!

Do you prefer your news from a newspaper or the Interwebz?

I get most of my info from the web anymore.

Adidas, Nike, other? (Guess that’s IN the gym again.)

Whatever is cheap and fits. Lol!

What's your favorite color?

Dark green.

What are three things you couldn't live without?

Air, water…food. Lol! I don’t put a lot of value on stuff. I grew up doing without so I just make do with what I have.

Can you share about your childhood or teenage years? Big family? 

I come from a big family… five brothers and one sister. We were all in sports. My brother’s main sports were wrestling and soccer. We were a soccer family for a long time. My father was their coach through their younger years. Even my sister and I were put on a team. 

I was never a fan of running, so I never did very well. My sister went on to do gymnastics. She was good at it. All my brothers were good at both soccer and wrestling – especially soccer… so much so that they did have a chance to travel through Europe for a summer playing teams in the different countries. 

And how proud are you of your brother? 

Two of my brothers are on a plaque on a wall at the high school they went to. And my middle brother just got inducted to his school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for wrestling and soccer! The highest honor possible. To me the coolest part was listening to another inductee stop his thank you speech and say that he was just happy to be on the same stage as my brother. Very proud of them all. Can you tell?

How did you learn about Rx Muscle Forums?

From Gail’s [aka The Prodigy, Editor-In-Chief of RxGirl] postings on Facebook.

How would you improve the forums?

I’m not sure. I like the flow of bb.com and Facebook better. I was never a big fan of forums. They don’t seem to flow very well for me. I’m not sure why that is. Guess I would have to think about that more.

What do you enjoy most about the forums?

I got to meet you and Gail... but not many other people.

We have a lot more contact on Facebook. Facebook offers notifications which helps me keep in touch with people a bit easier, especially – I imagine – for someone not scouring the forums 24/7.

Favorite comic book superhero?

If I had to go for best and coolest powers it would have to be Superman cause he can pretty much do it all. 

Well, with your seemingly non-stop schedule, you're a Superwoman. Can you share about your experience with Fiesta DC Magazine? How did that come about?

I met Frank Mareno, art director and editor in chief for Fiesta DC Magazine when I was out one night with my friends trying our hand at Salsa dancing at Cancun Cantina. It is a local entertainment magazine for the MD, DC, VA area. He was there with his photographer to take pictures during their Latin night. He hands me the magazine to look at and I thought maybe I should pose with it since the camera guy was snapping away. He remarked that I looked to be in great shape. I tell him I’m a bodybuilder and I compete. He tells me where to find the pics they took on Facebook so we can see them. So I did, and we started talking. Mainly about bodybuilding, diets and different kinds of exercises. I also mentioned that I was an LMT. 

That’s when he tells me they were thinking of starting a health section in their magazine. Would I like to write a monthly column? Something lighthearted and not too long so people would stop to read it. That sounded interesting and something I've never tried before so, by the end of the month, I had my first column published. This month I’m extra excited to see the magazine come out because not only do I have my column in it, they did a little interview on me to introduce me to their readers. I also got to do a photoshoot for them with a couple of my friends for the front cover and a spread inside. 

The nice part was that I got to put the shoot together and I asked my friend and photographer, Ben Hoffman, to do the shoot for me. I’m looking forward to writing many more health columns and doing possible photo shoots with Fiesta DC Magazine in the future. They have been great to work with. So many great ideas Frank has and he always seems to be interested in hearing mine as well. Thanks, Frank, for the great opportunity to work with you and your magazine. It has been an absolute pleasure.

You can read the full magazine online at http://www.fullpartytonight.com/.

Check out their website at http://www.fiestadcmagazine.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fiesta.dcmagazine.

Thank you for sharing about yourself and your bodybuilding perspective, Donna. I'm glad you're a member of Rx Muscle Forums and look forward to reading more about your achievements on stage and off!

To contact Donna, please visit http://www.donnamcginn.com/ and on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/DonnaMcGinnAthlete