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Spotlight On: Jami DeBernard
Category you compete in: IFBB Professional Figure
Date of birth: August 29th of a year that really doesn’t matter does it?
Hometown: Born in Baton Rouge, LA and a part of me will always consider that my hometown. I currently live in Sacramento, CA.
Career: In no particular order, gym owner, diet coach, mother, wife, and alpha female to our rescued dog.
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why? That’s a tough one because my husband is really the superhero fan. He would correct this from the outset and change it to “superheroine.” His favorite one is Batman so part of me would choose Catwoman because of strength, athleticism, intellect, stealth and because she is misunderstood.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport? That story dates back to Sarge. Sarge was the powerlifting coach in Baton Rouge and he approached me when I was 15 and asked me to be on the powerlifting team. Little did I know that I would compete against men in my weight bracket. I won the Southeast Louisiana State Championship and my life in health and fitness was destined. I spent the next period of my life establishing myself in the corporate world, but I always longed for the world of health of fitness. I competed in bodybuilding and figure after about 10 years in the corporate world. I then became a certified personal trainer, studied kundalini yoga in India, and began studying diet and nutrition. All of these stars came together in 2009 when I decided to compete in my first figure competition. There has been no looking back since then.
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto? There are several pillars to my diet plan. The first is whole foods. I really limit the amount of processed food and my experiences have shown me what a difference even the smallest amount of processing can have in the end product. The second pillar is balance. There must be some balance between the macronutrients. I balance this day to day and week to week based on my targets and my progress. The third pillar is organic when possible, quality always.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing? My playful answer is that tanning makes us too dark. I hear that one a lot, especially in the post-competition meal. I think that the biggest misconception in figure is that the posing is not that difficult. Under the bright lights with everyone looking at you and wearing 6” heels on a slippery stage it’s not my definition of easy.
What is your most embarassing childhood memory? When I was a teenager I explored my rebellious side. In one such incident I was waving to my friends while backing up my Dad’s car. I did not notice the brick mailbox that jumped out of nowhere into the path of my rear moving vehicle. My Dad came home and asked me how the car got damaged. Not thinking I said with complete confidence that someone must have hit me at school. His reply was priceless, “someone hit you with brick and mortar?” Needless to say I was not in the first callout of that exchange.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep? The importance of the survival instinct. There are good days and bad days for everyone and if I look beyond the moment of weakness or challenge I can lose my focus. Contest prep is about surviving and conquering the moment. Staying focused on what is directly in front of me rather than looking to the future is the key to getting to the prize.
Who do you look up and admire and why? There are many and two come to mind for different reasons. Rachel McLish comes to mind because she really set the standard and paved the way for the beauty of the female figure and form. The other is Tosca Reno for her grace and support of health and nutrition.
Highlights of my Competition history:
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2009 NPC San Diego Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships |
1st Figure D |
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2009 NPC Max Muscle Natural
|
1st Figure D; 1st Masters D |
|
2009 NPC Junior California Bodybuilding and Figure Championships |
1st Figure D |
|
2009 NPC National Bodybuilding, Bikini & Figure Championships |
4th Figure D
|
|
2010 NPC National Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships |
5th Figure D |
|
2010 NPC Sacramento |
1st Figure D, 1st Masters, 1st Overall |
|
2011 NPC Teen Collegiate Masters National Championships |
1st Figure D |
|
2011 NPC USA Championships |
1st – D Class |
|
2011 IFBB Europa Super Show, Dallas |
5th |
|
2011 IFBB Phoenix Pro |
2nd |
Next competition: My dream, the 2011 Olympia. 
Favorite Motivational Quote: “The way you do anything is the way you do everything.”
Who would you like to thank? My family is everything to me and I want to thank them for their commitment, patience and dedication. I also want to thank my coach, Kim Oddo. He has been the difference and really helped me to reach high.
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