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Spotlight On IFBB Fitness Pro: Mary Stockbridge
Category you compete in: Fitness
Date of birth: September 14, 1977
Hometown: Arden Hills, MN, but I currently reside in Houston, TX.
Career: I am a stay at home mother to our three year old, Hudson and our six year old dog, Bandit.
I also assist my husband with our competition air brush tanning company, 2Toned.
Competition history:
My competition history can be broken into two parts, pre-baby and post-baby.
I began competing in 2007. It was my goal to get into the best shape of my life for my 30th birthday. After my first show, I was hooked. A local trainer specializing in the NPC, helped me get ready for Texas State. I had to get a new suit and learn how to pose, but I qualified for Nationals and since it was in Dallas that year, I decided to compete in it. I was completely shocked that I was awarded 4th for the show. The final highlight was finding myself in Ruth Silverman's Fitness corner in Iron Man magazine from that experience.
I went onto compete at Jr. Nationals and Team Universe the following year, but did not place top 5 at either event.
Just after the 2008 season, we started our family. After a long nine months, my son was born through an emergency c-section, but he was completely healthy and happy. Motherhood was a completely new territory for me. I found myself tired, I lost the baby weight but my body composition changed a lot. My body fat went up and I lost a lot of muscle. I motivated myself to get back into shape when my son was around 7 months old. I watched a local bodybuilding show to inspire myself (stroller and baby in toe) and set a date.
I came back and started in bikini, from there moved to figure after injuring my knee again while prepping for fitness, and finally came back to fitness in 2012. My first fitness competition back was the Arnold Amateur. I was so happy to place 5th. I went onto compete at Team Universe and placed 3rd. After a disappointing
finish at North Americans, I came back in 2013 on a mission.
My first show of the season was Jr. USA, where I won Overall Fitness and earned IFBB status.
Next competition:
I will be making my IFBB debut at the Pro Bodybuilding Weekly in Tampa, FL on August 9-10!
In your opinion, how important is motivation and confidence when aiming to accomplish a goal?
Confidence and motivation are necessary to accomplish a goal. I think that when you are confident, motivation also increases.
For me, gaining confidence begins with eliminating doubt. Doubt crept in from a variety of places. Eliminating the negativity in my life was crucial for me to take forward steps in my fitness journey. Once I had a group of positive people surrounding me, my confidence grew.
As my confidence grew, I felt my motivation increase. During my 2012 season, my motivation levels fell to an all time low. My body was tired, beat up, and my mind was distracted by unimportant things. It wasn't until after my last competition that my coach told me to eliminate all the negativity from my life. I took the advice to heart and after that, I was able to really buckle down and focus. I knew that my goals were within reach and I pushed hard every day in the gym, stayed on my diet through the holiday season and when the time came to compete again, I was ready. Having the confidence and motivation to head into my last competition was a feeling unlike any other!
In your eyes, what combination of hard work and natural ability is needed to reach the top?
My coaches at Fitness Factory have a saying, "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work."
Growing up was challenging. I rarely fit in, and I was teased a lot and made to feel different. I found a niche in gymnastics and cheerleading. The sports helped me belong, but I recognized that there were talented people around me that were naturally much better than me. Inspired by them, I always worked hard day in and day out to reach my goals. Before I knew it, I was able to separate myself from the other athletes in my region.
I knew from a young age that if I wanted to attend college, it would have to be on my own merits. I dreamed of competing on a college cheer team and with a lot of hard work and determination, I was able to attend University of Nebraska on a full-scholarship. Go big red!
What are some motivational strategies that have or currently work for you?
I like to focus on achieving goals to set a good example for our son. He is three and a half and has already started picking up on habits. I want to make sure that the habits that he learns from my competing are that hard work and perseverance pay off. Since I spend so much time with him, he is a constant reminder not to give up. Leading up to Jr. USAs, I asked him if he wanted me to compete when I started to question my sanity and abilities. He thought briefly but confidently said, "yes." I asked if he liked watching me on stage and he said, "yes" again, so I knew to push on. I told him I dedicated my training and competition to him. It was his belief in me that made me feel like a winner regardless of the outcome.
Also, I have admired all of the IFBB Fitness competitors for many years, following their careers and watching their routines. I have dreamed of one day getting to meet them. As I got closer to reaching my goal of qualifying for the IFBB, I knew that I would not only get to meet them but get to compete with them too.
My new motivation is to work hard to at least warrant being up on stage with the best fitness competitors. I know I have a standard to uphold and want to do my best to represent the sport I love.
Give me some examples from your life wher
e confidence has helped you to achieve?
Confidence helped me land a spot on my college cheerleading team. I did a lot of homework and research before submitting a try out video and doing a three day try out in person.
I had confidence when I competed in gymnastics after years, months and hours of steady practice, working to perfect my skills. We have a saying when it comes to learning something new, "winners practice until they can't get it wrong." It is not enough to practice until it is right.
For me, confidence comes when you study your craft, learn from the best, practice or train until you are at your absolute best. I feel success comes when I do everything I could possibly do to be the best I possibly could on that given day. When it all comes together like that, there is no substitute for that feeling of confidence and accomplishment.
What do you find the most challenging about competing?
The hardest things for me are to find the time to train and do my cardios. Having a son and husband who works full-time makes it hard. I have to juggle my training around kid's club hours and when my husband can hang out with our son. They have had many late night bonding hours while I do midnight cardio.
Before he was born, I could get to the gym anytime I wanted or go for a run outside when the weather was nice. I really didn't appreciate how much me time I had.
Luckily, through trial and error, we have figured out a schedule that works for us!
What are your top 5 key strategies for success?
1. Set a budget. Be realistic with how much you can afford and stick to that.
2. Study. Do your research. Read. Educate yourself. Reach out to trainers, coaches, promoters, people in the industry. There are people out there who can help you reach your goals.
3. Stick to the routine. Go to the gym, do your cardio. When you are tired, sick, having a bad day, take a nap and then go to the gym anyway.
4. Stick to the diet. Don't cheat. Prep your meals in advance and don't emotionally eat or make excuses for yourself.
5. Listen to your coaches, but also follow your instincts. If something is not working, don't suffer in silence, reach out to your coach and trust that they have your best interest in mind.
What is your favorite protein powder? Why do you like it?
I love Metabolic Nutrition's ProtiZyme. What initially caught my eye was that it is pharmaceutical grade and gluten free. But I also found that it is delicious to drink, bake and cook with.
Favorite Inspirational Quote:
"This too shall pass." I have had to endure a lot to get to this point and many of the issues that seemed enormous when they were happening have become just distant memories. My mother gave me this quote a long time ago and it never fails me.
In closing, Who would you like to give a shout out to?
I would first like to thank my coaches, Mike and Julie Davies of Fitness Factory. Without their support and constant butt kicking, I could not have reached my goal.
Also, I would like to thank my suit and costume sponsor, Suits by Amy. She came up with a great design for my routine and an awesome suit. I got so many compliments on my suit!
I would also like to thank my spray tanning company, 2Toned, for always getting me ready. My color has always received top scores from the judges because we have found a strategy that works for my skin tone and type.
Laurie St. Michael always gets my makeup perfect for the show. Plus she is awesome to talk with and she always gives me the right kind of energy just before hitting the stage.
Finally, I have to thank my main supporters, my husband, Max, and our son, Hudson. Without their love and support, this goal could not have happened.
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