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Published on Sunday, 29 November 2009 22:13

If you've followed any Rx Muscle Live Play-by-Play at a pro figure event this year, then you've heard of our favorite figure underdog, Tivisay Briceno.  After being overlooked by the judges for most of the year, she finally got some respect at the Atlantic City Pro with a 5^th place finish in the Open and a 2^nd in the Pro Master's class.  She might not be an underdog any longer, but it's still hard not to route for that beautiful face and enticing physique.

During the AC Pro, Tivisay took a break from the stage to  shoot with Rx Muscle's own Day Ray on the docks of the Trump Marina.  She also spared a few moments to tell us a little more about herself...

RX: This year you've become a well known face on the figure circuit, but many of the readers may not know how you got here....where did you turn pro and how long was the journey to get there?

Tiv:  I turned pro in 2007 at the Masters Nationals.  I placed 3^rd a week before at the Nationals in NY so I felt I was ready to win the Masters.  I began competing in 2005 with one goal in mind: Compete in the Olympia.  I qualified for the Nationals at the Tennessee State competition, winning 3 out of 4 trophies in 2005.  In 2006, I almost turned pro at the Masters Nationals losing by 2 points.   If today's rules of not handing out two pro-cards to the same person were in place, I would have turned pro at the North American.  I didn't give up, believed in myself, and won the Overall at the Masters Nationals in 2007.  My all time favorite figure competitor awarded me my Pro card, Jenny Lynn.  It was an amazing night.

RX: You've been improving your placing at every show this year (and it seems like you've done EVERY show)...To what do you attribute the improvements?  What are you now doing that has made the judges take notice?

Tiv:  Diet changes with the help of Mike Davies.  Mike gave me the food my body needed; before that  I was eating really nothing but shakes, eggs, oatmeal, chicken, salmon and sweet potatoes.  Mike introduced me to foods like flank steak, lots of chicken, tuna, balsamic vinaigrette, fruits, etc...  and my body responded well.  The natural fats smoothed out my lines which appealed to the judges.

RX: So why have you done so many shows since you turned pro?

I have competed in 14 pro shows since turning pro in late 2007.   I believe I have the body and the look to qualify and to compete on stage at the Olympia and win. But I also want to have a baby and I want to achieve my goal of competing at the Olympia before I have my child.  Time is running out.  I turned 40 this year and according to the doctors, its better not to wait much longer.  I'm determined to achieve this goal and I'm doing whatever it takes to do so and have a family.  I have come to realize that events don't happen in the order you want them to.  God is funny and he's not going to give you what you want but what you need.   I must believe and keep my faith that my time will come for both of my dreams to come true.

RX: As a former NPC Master's Nationals champ and now runner up in the pro-masters at the AC Pro, you are defying Mother Nature and proving that ladies of any age can look amazing. Tell many of the curious ladies out there a little about your diet and training.

Tiv: I train hard.  There is no secret to keeping your skin tight then lots of hard work.  Do a lot of plyometrics and keep your fat intake under control.  Take care of your skin.  Eat clean and be natural.  Don't take anything that would harm your body.  Age is just a number, nothing more.

RX:  So where were you born and raised and what's the story behind that unique name?

Tiv:  I was born in Elizabeth, NJ and raised in Roselle, NJ.  My name, Tivisay comes from South America.  My father is Venezuelan.

RX: Before you ever got on the figure stage, what was your athletic background and what led you to getting on stage?

Tiv: I love sports.  I ran track, played soccer, softball, and tennis.  I was a cheerleader from 5th to 12th grade.  I've done gymnastics and danced.  I was a lifeguard for 7 years and swam in three ocean lifeguard competitions.   I'm also a brown belt in karate.

My mother had died in January 2002.  I exercise daily to keep me from falling into depression.  My mother's estate was settled in late July 2002.  In August 2002, I decided to compete at Memphis' only bodybuilding/figure show, Battle on the River.  I wasn't planning on being a competitor, but I was in shape and thought I would give it a try.  I bought my one piece from Jagware and my two piece suit from Macy's.  I had no weight training or dieting experience.  I entered the show and won my height class and the Overall.

I enjoy going to the gym and training and I wanted to get rewarded for my training.  I also love competing.  Stepping on stage and competing in a figure was a perfect fit.   In 2005, I made the commitment to become a memorable competitor.

RX: I understand you were an XFL Cheerleader...how was that experience and what led you there?

Tiv:   My ex boyfriend and I watched the WWF regularly.   When Vince McMahon announced the XFL and I heard they were having auditions for cheerleaders in Memphis, I saw an opportunity.   I've always wanted to be a professional cheerleader and this was my chance.  The auditions lasted for 2 days.  Over 200 girls from several states tried out.  I made the team (at the age of 31) along with 9 other talented dancers.   It was an amazing opportunity.  The league paid us $1,000 a month for 2 games and $100 an hour at every promotional event we worked.  Vince took good care of us.  I love him and respected the league for their support and for giving us the opportunity to make money.

RX: You've also been a ring girl for some pretty big fights, tell us about it:

Tiv:   I've been a ring girl for Toughman, cage fighting and 4 HBO fights.  The most memorable fight was Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis.  Over 600 girls auditioned over a five week period to be a ring girl for the Tyson vs. Lewis fight at Club 152 on Beale Street.  Only 8 girls were selected.  The 8 winners then competed for 3 spots for the 3 premier fights on the fight card.  I came in second at age 33 and it was incredible!  I met athletes, music artists, actors, and reporters from all over the world.  I will always have that memory of standing 3 feet away from Mike and looking at him before he made his walk from outside the tunnel into the ring.  He was not a man that night but an animal.  He breathed like a bull and his eyes were fierce.   I was trying so hard to hold back my tears.  The energy and the noise from the screaming fans were remarkable and intense.  Wow!

My father and I watched boxing when I was a child.   Boxing is one of my favorite sports.  I'm very happy that I had an opportunity to be apart of the sport.

Ring Girl Experience:

         2005 Ring Girl for Glen Johnson/Antonio Tarver

         2004 Ring Girl for Roy Jones Jr./Glen Johnson Fight

         2004 FFC Freestyle Fighting Championship

         2003 Ring Girl for Tyson/Etienne Fight

         2002 Ring Girl for Tyson/Lewis Fight (Rumble on the River)

         2002 Ring Girl for Toughman Competition

RX: I also found out that you aren't just another pretty face...you actually have a real job which is a rare find in this business.  Tell us about what you do when the heels come off:

Tiv:  I graduated Cum Laude Honors from Memphis State University, B.B.A in Finance.  Since graduation, I worked as a banker, financial analyst, assistant to a CFO, and as corporate accountant for a Fortune 200 company.  I've also been a business owner of a mortgage branch.  Currently, I'm the Operations Manager and Chief Compliance Officer for a fixed income fund, Banes Capital Group/Mgmt in Memphis, TN.  I'm currently studying for the Series 7 test to become a licensed trader.  I plan on furthering my education by acquiring a law degree.  I've always wanted to become a judge.

I'm also a personal trainer.  I enjoy helping others achieve their fitness goals.

RX: Do you have a website where the Rx Muscle fans can find out more about you?

Tiv:  I do have a website that is currently being updated and enhanced by a childhood friend.  I plan on having it completed by the end of December 2009.  My website address is www.tivisaybriceno.com.  I can be reached via email at [email protected]

RX: Any final thank you?

Tiv:  My first Thank you is to God.  I thank him for my body, for my confidence to pursue my dreams and for my parents that taught me to work hard and never give up.

I am not blessed with a large family, but I do have a wonderful group of friends and fans.  I thank them dearly for their support and encouragement.  Their thoughtful messages and kind words are very much appreciated.

We do need family and friends to help us with this journey.  They are extremely important to our success and keeping the balance in our lives.

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