Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Michelle Hart

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Published on Saturday, 31 March 2012 00:00

Written by Michelle Hart

Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Michelle Hart

Category you compete in: Bikini Class A
Date of birth: September 9, 1988
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Career: Finance

If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why?
What girl doesn’t love Wonder Woman! She basically has most of the super powers I train every day to improve upon! Despite being extra tiny I love being stronger and faster than most of the people I know, and I am constantly training to be a better athlete! So to be able to BE her for a day would be INCREDIBLE! Not to mention I would love having some of her powers around the time the Olympic trials roll around…

What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
It’s actually a funny story, because I fell into this sport by accident. When I was younger I used to do beauty pageants, and my wonderful coach and trainer, Larry Irvine (being the brutally honest man he is) told me I was too short to ever succeed in the pageant world, but that I would do great in an NPC show due to height classes. Thanks to his motivation I stepped on stage several years ago with no clue what I was in for! Needless to say my first show was pretty embarrassing since I hadn’t the faintest concept on how to train or diet for one, but it really sparked my passion for the sport, and ever since I have learned and grown so much. I went from knowing absolutely nothing about working out or nutrition to having a huge knowledge base which I am constantly expanding. What I love most about competing is that it motivates me to be a better person, both physically and mentally, and really pushes me to be the absolute best that I can be.

What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
I aim for a balanced diet when preparing for a show and in the last four weeks, depending on where I am at, I will begin carb cycling. I typically don’t do this for longer than 3-4 weeks, since I want to avoid losing any hard earned muscle, but I feel that this approach yields the best results and maintain my sanity! Honestly I have tried very low carbs at some points in my fitness caerer, and it works great to get me lean in a very short amount of time, but psychologically it’s devastating. I am a big foodie, and love my carbs, so I strive for a balance. I find that as long as most of my food is my clean, whole sources, I can eat what I want within reason.

What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing?
Besides… Everything?! Well I would say the biggest misconception has to be the diet. Everybody hears the word “diet” and automatically assumes I must be starving myself when just the opposite is true. I literally bring a large tote, FULL of food, to work with me every single day and eat it all! I think most people don’t realize just how much a competitor needs to eat in order to sustain energy levels. Coupled with this misconception would be that everyone always thinks a competition diet is bland and miserable, comprised of just chicken, fish and broccoli day in and day out. I’m sure some people might not mind dieting this way, but I don’t find that sustainable in the long run. If I eat that way I feel too much like I am on an actual diet. Eating healthy has made me so creative with cooking, and I love revamping recipes to make them contest friendly. Some of my favorites are my yummy pumpkin protein bars and my toasted coconut almond macaroons!

What is your most embarassing childhood memory?
Am I allowed to say my first show? In the context of this interview it’s what comes to mind right away. I was still a teenager and had no clue what I was doing. I thought that because I was small I could just step on stage in a bikini and do fine. Not to mention my bikini was too big, and the night before my coach’s wife sewed pads into my bra that I messed up (of course) the next day, so in all the photos you can see the light beige of them which stands out like crazy since I was sprayed so dark. Oh, and did I mention my bikini bottom was saggy? To top it all off, I felt so out of place next the other girls competing, who were lean and muscular, while here I was skinny fat thinking I could get away with it. Obviously this is a show I did not win, but I wound up placing third and it was such an incredible learning experience, despite my utter humiliation at the time. It drove me to totally change my physique, and planted the seed for my obsession with fitness and nutrition. Plus here I am today in better fitting bikinis made with pockets for padding, so lesson learned!

What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
You are your biggest competition! I’ve realized I need to stop looking at other girls and look at myself more instead. There is nothing I can do to control how they look, but I can control my end product. Back in the day I used to psych myself out about my competition, but over the years I’ve realized it’s such a waste of time because the only person I sabotage is myself. I’m not competing against other girls when I step on stage, but with me, Michelle. At the end of that day most of us possess that seed of doubt with ourselves- “Are we fit enough?” “Are we pretty enough?” “Will they like me as much as the other girls”- and before I step on stage these thoughts are always running through my mind but mentally I fight to shake them loose so when I step on stage I’m basically stomping all over my fears and insecurities to prove I’m the best I can be to myself. I feel like as long as I do that I win at the end of the day regardless of how I wind up placing. As long I do that I never feel any disappointment, because I didn’t let myself down, and this has really made me a stronger as a person.

Who do you look up and admire and why?
In the fitness world the two women I admire more than anything are Jamie Eason and Ava Cowen. I love Jamie Eason because she goes out of her way to share her knowledge of fitness to help others. I literally follow her articles and blogs religiously. Ava Cowen more recently become a hero of mine when she made a truly honest post on her blog reminding us all that even idols like herself are human. I loved actually seeing a “berfore” picture of her looking like a normal girl, because I’ve found myself getting dejected with my progress (or lack of it), so seeing that even someone as seemingly perfect as her can look normal without the low body fat and a raging six pack is incredibly inspiring and motivating. There are hiccups for us all with dieting and training, and seeing icons expose their hurdles with progress really is a reminder to never give up. It doesn’t come naturally to ANYONE, but is a lot of hard work!

Competition history:
2009 NPC Alaska States Championships, 2nd place
2011 Flex Bikini Model Search at the Olympia
2011 Crystal Cup Overall Champion
2011 NPC Nationals, Bikini Class A, 10th

Next competition:
Emerald Cup and then USA’s in Vegas!

Favorite Motivational Quote:
“It’s never a question of can you, but will you?”
This statement is so true, and truly encapsulates the mental and physical discipline needed in order to prepare for a show.

Who would you like to thank?
I couldn’t do any of this without the support from my wonderful husband, Justin, who stands by my side through it all. Also I wouldn’t even be competing if it wasn’t for the motivation of my amazing trainer and coach Larry Irvine! He’s incredible, and I can’t thank him enough for continuing to believe in me and pushing me to succeed. I’d also like to thank my fellow X-treme Muscles in Motion Bikini team sisters for being so supportive, and my wonderful sponsors Powerhouse Gym, X-Treme Nutrition, and John Schwartz of Perfectionist Audio Sound who all helped send me to Nationals this past year! Lastly thank you to the amazing Danny Fittero of Fit Treasures Magazine for the photography and all the support!

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