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Spotlight On NPC Bikini Competitor: Maria Di Nello
Category you compete in: Bikini (short =])
Date of birth: February 12, 1990
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Career: Student
If you could change into a superhero for a day who would you be and why?
Hmmm, I would want to be a super hero who could be super strong. I think it’d be pretty fun to be a 5’2 girl super hero who could lift cars and intimidate the boys…. haha.
What made you begin dedicating your lifestyle to this sport?
A few things sparked me to begin starting the sport and lifestyle. For one, I had a few years where I was in and out of hospitals for heart concerns. Eventually the decision was made to implant a pacemaker and defibrillator to help pace my heart. Within a year of that I realized I wanted to do everything possible to be as healthy and active as I could. Being sick and not being able to fix it is the worst and I learned to be proactive about my health.
Also, eventually after starting to work out people were telling me I should really do a show and see how I like it. Once I began training for my first show I was hooked!
What approach do you take to dieting...carb cycle..keto?
Oh god, I feel like I’ve done it all. For my first show I did a lot of carb cycling (yuck). For this season it has been primarily a keto diet. Some people may think I’m crazy but personally I enjoy keto-ing the most! Peanut butter, nuts, and avocados are the best so getting to eat those make me a prettyyyy happy person. For my next show we’ve been playing around with more carbs and less fat so I’m not sure what’s to come.
What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about competing?
I think some people assume it’s just a vain, contest that you don’t have to work for. People don’t get to see the hours you’ve spent in the gym, the social activities you’ve had to turn down, or the foods you have to eat to get to the point where you walk on stage. So I guess basically just that its easy work haha. People only see us on the easiest day of our whole prep.
What is your most embarassing childhood memory?
Haha my parents tried to get me into t-ball when I was little…not quite my thing. They have pictures of my laying in the outfield with the glove over my eyes passed out during a game…then later during that game pictures of me trying to catch butterflies. Hahaha what can I say, I was clearly very athletic as a child.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about YOURSELF during your contest prep?
I’ve learned I can’t cheat at all. Once I start there is no stopping me. My friends call me the cookie monster. I need to keep all sweets out of the house and not have even one little cheat. I know that for me no cheating tends to work best, so I make sure to make my life easy and just make sure I’m not around anything or anyone who is going to break my focus.
Who do you look up and admire and why?
I have a lot of people I look up to. I think anyone who has the discipline and dedication to take care of themselves physically is someone to look up to. I follow so many people on facebook and have made so many friends through the sport and I look up to all of them for different reasons. So basically, I can’t name just one person, there are too many great and inspiring people =].
Competition history:
NPC Midwest Ironman: 4th place
NPC Pittsburgh Championships
NPC Indianapolis Championships: 1st place
NPC Jr. Nationals: 12th place
Next competition:
NPC North Americans!
Favorite Motivational Quote:
I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. -Michael Jordan
*Everyone fails at some point; I really believe its what happens after you fail that makes you that much stronger.
Who would you like to thank?
Oh gosh there are so many people but I’ll just name a f
ew.
First and foremost my parents. They’ve been there every step of the way and have helped me through the entire process of every show I’ve prepped for. Whether it is food prep, not bringing junk in the house, or pushing me to be my best they’ve always been there for me.
Also, I’d like to thank my trainers Lisa and Jake, they’ve been very encouraging and supportive and have really made prepping fun.
Lastly, my friends Katie Jensen and Maria Annunziata for giving me great advice and motivation as well as supporting me through everything =]
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