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Published on Friday, 29 May 2009 02:31

While we spoke on the telephone, I had to be prepared at any given moment for Nola Trimble to hang up on me. No, not because I was offensive to her; it's because she could be called at any moment to respond to an emergency fire.  I'm talking about a real fire!  Nola's a firefighter, and she's pretty hot in all her work gear, too!  What follows in her exclusive interview and smokin' hot photos!

RX: Your career choices intrigue me. It seems to me that you've chosen mainly male-dominant and physically challenging career paths. Would you agree?

NT: Yes. I've definitely had my share of challenges. I've had to prove myself more than once.

RX: Let's start from your first career choice: U.S. Air Force Surgical Technologist in the Operating room. That sounds pretty challenging. You enlisted right out of high school?

NT: Yes. I'm from a really small town called Horicon, Wisconsin. So I got outa' there as soon as I could. It was a great decision, too. I was privileged to work alongside many great physicians and observe surgical procedures.

RX: And then you got out of the military?

NT: Yes. I got out with my GI Bill and I went to college for Golf Management.

RX: Golf? Do you golf?

NT: Oh yeah! I grew up on a golf course and my Dad taught me how to play. While I was enlisted I was the one female selected for the team to represent the United States Air Force at the Military Golf Training Camp. Then I received a Golf Scholarship to Coastal Carolina University where I studied Golf Management and competed on the Women's Golf Team.

RX: Sounds like yet another milestone for you in a man's world. Did you graduate with a Golf Management degree?

NT: No. I decided to transfer to Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL and after I competed on the Women's Golf Team for two seasons, I decided to change my major to Business Administration and got my Bachelor's in that.

RX: Why the switch from golf to business?

NT: After spending some time trying to become a golf pro I found out that it's just way too expensive. I needed sponsors and the payoff wasn't happening for me. So I switched and tried to be a Golf Teaching Pro and really, I decided it wasn't lucrative enough. That's when I decided to make the switch to Business.

RX: After graduation most people would begin to pursue their career path. But you decided to go back in to the military?

NT: Yup. I went back in to the Air Force Reserves. This time I wanted something more physically challenging. I had become interested in fitness and got my ACE Personal Trainer Certification and started my bodybuilding journey. So I figured I'd choose a career that might help me stay fit. I decided to become a firefighter.

RX: A Firefighter??? Man you like a challenge, don't you?

NT: Oh yeah. And it was challenging, too! It was a physically demanding fourteen week Academy...and all while I prepped for my 2^nd Figure competition.

RX: You mean to tell me that you dieted and trained for a figure contest while you were going through firefighter training?

NT: Yes. I had a George Foreman grill and a sink in my room. That's all I had to work with. It was July (summer) in Texas and we had to train in 40 lb gear from 5am to 3pm every day with no break. So I would cook my egg whites before training and I'd stuff them into a Tupperware in my gear and pull them out and eat when it was time. I caught a lot of flack for that! I was also the only female in my class. I was awarded the Distinguished Graduate honor at my graduation, too.

RX: Stowing your egg whites in your gear...that's' pretty funny! Congratulations! And how did you do at your competition?

NT: I won!

RX: Of course you did. Do you surprise people when they meet you and find out that you're a firefighter?

NT: They're shocked!

RX: How did you end up moving from South Florida to LA?

NT: I wanted to pursue a career in the fitness industry and I wanted to be among and train among the best of the best. So I am lucky enough to be able to transfer in my job. I transferred to Los Angeles and here I am. I train at Gold's in Venice every day. I was lucky enough to get to train with Charles Glass earlier this year. And recently I was doing a photo shoot at Gold's and Lou Ferigno popped in to one of my pictures. It's crazy and I love it!

RX: Sounds like you're living a dream that a lot of bodybuilders would love. Would you say it has helped your career path in fitness at all?

NT: It has definitely helped as far as networking.

RX: There are a lot of girls who would love to get some of the same type of magazine coverage and work at booths the way you have. Any advice for them on how they can get started?

NT: I really just went to every booth at all the shows I could and brought my business cards and an 8x10 and asked for whoever was in charge of the booth. Then I just told them that I wanted the opportunity to work and I got some responses. After that, it's talking to people and networking.

RX: My next question is going to get a lot of people's attention: Is it true that you are crossing over from Figure to Female Body Building?

NT: Yes, it's true!

RX: But you've had Ironman magazine photo shoots and Oxygen photo shoots and so many opportunities so far. Why the switch?

NT: I just wasn't going anywhere in Figure. I was working so hard for weeks and weeks to be herded out on stage and turn in a circle! I was just like, really?! Bodybuilding allows you to pose and show off your hard work.  I really like the harder, leaner look of the smaller female bodybuilders and the judges were constantly telling me I had too much muscle and my legs were too big. I LIKE to train! I don't want to back off of my training so that I look softer and just skinny.

RX: You're definitely a girl who knows what she wants! Have you competed in bodybuilding yet?

NT: Yes. I just did the San Diego Bodybuilding show and took 2^nd. It was a National Qualifier, so now I'm qualified. I'm getting ready now to compete at the USA's in July.

RX: Congratulations! What weight class?

NT: I came in at 123lbs in San Diego, so I'm pretty sure I'll be right around there - Middleweight - at the USA's.

RX: And you just started using Dave Palumbo for your prep, right?

NT: Yes. He got me ready for the San Diego show and I looked the best ever!!!! I've never had striations in my legs and I had crazy striations. I kept asking him: "when am I gonna get my legs?" and he just kept telling me: "..they'll be there...." He was right - it was the day before the show, but they were there! I was very happy with the way I looked.

RX: Would you say that training/dieting for bodybuilding is different than for figure?

NT: Yes! The last two weeks I was worthless! I could barely walk and I was exhausted! I never got that with figure.  It was also the first time I've ever done no carbs, so six weeks in to it I thought I was going crazy! I couldn't remember anything, I was so mindless it was funny. But all worth it!

RX: Any tips or advice to help other girls survive Dave's no carb ways?

NT: Remember what the end result is. Keep your goal in mind! Also a little flavored coffee doesn't hurt. It actually turns in to a treat. And occasionally, when you can't stand it another second, some sugar free jello can help. But Dave doesn't know that!

RX: He does now. (hahahaha)

NT: I also keep a few motivational quotes in my head that help me to succeed (I love motivational quotes!):

"Success is a journey, not a destination."

"You go full speed or you don't go."

"Believe and you will achieve."

RX: I like those...sometimes it's easy to lose focus and one little thing can help us get back on track. Thanks. What's the future looking like for you?

NT: I am currently brainstorming about my own clothing line. I'm looking for sponsors to help with costs, so if ya know anyone...

RX: And are you single or married?

NT: Single and looking! I need somebody who can put up with this lifestyle though. It takes a special person to put up with us, ya know?

RX: I do know. I'd be willing to bet he better be pretty strong and driven, too, to keep up with you!

NT: Definitely!

RX: Do you have a website that you want to share?

NT: Yes:  www.nolajtrimble.com

RX: And is there anybody you'd like to thank?

NT: Dave Palumbo, of course, Collette Nelson, Paul Finn & Charles Glass, my family for their love and support and my brothers at March Air  Reserve Base Fire Department and Homestead Air Reserve Base Fire Department...they put up with me during my prep!

RX: Of course. Nola, it was a pleasure. Looking forward to seeing you on that National stage in Bodybuilding!

NOLA TRIMBLE PHOTO GALLERY

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