Spotlight On CBBF Fitness Competitor: Linda Cusmano
Category you compete in: Fitness (but have done every other category except women’s physique in the past for fun including obstacle.)
Date of birth: March 17, St. Patrick’s Day
Hometown: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Career: Self Emp. Personal Trainer, Model, Writer
What is your favorite contest prep recipe? I have a couple, one is later out and one is closer to show, here they are:
Tuna Stuffed Avocado https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vul50HWrogc&;list=UUEI56muO__mvbD75L1xu6Cw&index=1&feature=plcp
Tilapia http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/pre-contest_nutrition_preparing_tilapia.htm
What part of your physique are you currently working on?
Currently I am looking at lats n glutes. I have not been able to dead or squat any significant weight for a few years due to osteo so I have to be clever about how I develop the glute area without tweaking out my back. The rest of me is pretty symmetrical, but the lats lately are lacking so getting back to more pullups, got lazy on those.
I also am going to be dealing with rehab after a knee resconstruction so this is also something I am training for, pre op.
Name one piece of nutrition/fitness advice that has stuck with you.
Increasing my water and I am now doing this on or off season. I am trying to keep no less than a gallon per day but aiming for 2 gallons. I stay leaner this way whether dieting or not and all my health issues are improved drastically.
If you could compete in one other event (FBB, physique, figure, fitness, bikini) which would it be and why?
I like Figure and have done that in the past, and I hate how long the poor bikini gals have to wait in most shows to the end, but I love the cute suits they get to wear……..that would pull me into maybe trying ,although I think I may be a bit thick for bikini and not thick enough for Figure, whats a girl to do? Stick with Fitne
ss!! I like to play too hard not to do a routine.
Why NPC: Being in Canada it’s not NPC, its CBBF. We only have the one federation and direction in order to get IFBB.
What do you like best about competing? With Fitness I get to be creative in many aspects from suits to costume to theme and routine. I like being able to use the bits of talent I have into one routine. I love the prep and how I look from start to end. I like the discipline and how it keeps you focused and looking ahead no matter what else is going on.
What are your goals for the future? I am going to keep trying for that fitness pro card and maybe try out a few pro shows. By the time I get there I think there will be enough girls who look more like me and the shift will be in play more prominently. If you look at the newest pros creeping into the pros they are more realistic in physique and starting to be a bit less big and cut or bodybuilderish. For now most of these new pros are wading in at lower placing’s but eking their way up the rankings quickly with more coming into the pros and saturating the arena.
Competition history: It's a LONG list!
Next competition: Next summer...Canadian National Fitness Championships
Hobbies: painting, reading, martial arts, dancing
What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the years when it comes to competing?
Always depend on yourself so that in the event you have to do your own tan or whatever may be, you will be confident and handle it all with ease.
What is your favorite contest prep supplement?
So far it seems even if I drop everything else I always keep up with glutamine for recovery and it also helps with my other bone and joint tweaks. I used to also love creatine and still do but I got lazy about it, its also one I love and works well for me. I like the basic monohydrate.
Favorite Quote:
Live your life in a way that when you awake Satan shudders ‘Oh shit, she’s awake’.
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