1.) What is your first and last name?
Suzanne Germano
2.) What is your height and weight?
5’1” 114 contest, 122 off-season
3.) What state do you currently reside in?
Illinois
4.) What is your profession?
Currently stay at home mom to 15 yr old and 2 8 month old German Shepherds but have been Computer Programmer, Montessori Teacher and Personal Trainer
5.) How did you get started into lifting weights and bodybuilding?
I was "normal" weight through high school (105-110lbs & 5’-0"), but never developed an interest in sports or fitness (not even PE) due to my vision. Due to my blindness, I grew up with the kids constantly teasing me, which led to very low self-esteem. This all led to me gradually gaining weight.
By the time I reached 31 (1995) I had reached a weight of 185lbs. All from a combination of fast food, no exercise, and depression. For many years, all I thought was that exercise and diet didn't work. I felt all the people that looked good had always looked that way. I never tried any form of dieting.
At the end of 1995 I decided that there must be a better way. So my aunt and I joined a gym. I knew that if I was going to do this that it had to be an all or nothing attempt. I knew I had to change my diet, lift weights, and do cardio.
I fell in love with lifting and gradually the weight came off and my body began to take shape. At the end of 2001, there were many people asking me if I competed in bodybuilding or fitness including an NPC judge who worked out at my gym. He said I would do very well.
I took the plunge and competed in my first show as a lightweight bodybuilder in March 2002
6.) Were you athletic growing up? What other sports have you done or are currently doing?
No not at all. I am legally blind and did not even participate in PE throughout my education. The only thing I did do was skiing with the California Association for Blind Athletes. In 1984 I qualified for the US team and skied in Austria at the World Winter Games for the Disabled.
7.) What are your bodybuilding goals?
This year will be my first year competing on the national level. I hope to come in at each show with an improved physique.
8.) In your opinion, what is your best bodypart?
Legs
9.) Do you enjoy performing onstage (bodybuilding routine)?
When I did do bodybuilding I really enjoyed the routine part.
10) Tell us what a typical day is like your you.
5 AM Cardio Plyo Torture
Train the dogs. One of them is doing Schutzhund which is a German Dog Sport that consists of Obedience, Tracing and Protection
Evenings Weight WO
11) Do you like to show off your muscles when out in public or do you cover up?
Love to show off my muscles.
12) What kind of car do you drive?
Due to my vision unable to drive. We have an Explorer but my fav is a Hummer H1
13) What kind of stuff would we find in the backseat of your car?
Yoga Mat, Dog Crate, Water
14) What sports do you watch?
Don’t watch much sports but do love the Olympics especially gymnastics and Figure Skating
15) Do you have childhood trinket that you still keep?
Sock puppets that I got from the hospital for my two surgeries (tonsil and an eye surgery)
