By Gene X Hwang - October 2007

 - What is your height and weight?
5’4 stage weight 118 off season 140

- What province/city do you currently reside in?
Edmonton Alberta

- What is your profession?
Personal Trainer, mother, and wife!

- How did you get started into lifting weights and bodybuilding?
In junior high when I was running track and field with the St. Albert Track Club, my coach, Mr. Green, had us do weight training in the gym once a week. I was 14 and knew I was hooked. As I became a young adult my passion for the gym grew. However, in college I gained my “freshman 15” but was more like 50 pounds! I topped the scale at almost 200 pounds. I started to watch my diet, learning more about portion control, and the importance of balance and brought my weight down to 145 pounds. Although down the weight I still didn’t like my look, that’s when I started to really train hard at the gym. This was over 5 years ago and I haven’t looked back.

I often saw competitors in the gym training for shows and I admired their dedication and discipline and intensity. I am a very goal-oriented individual and when I had hit a plateau I decided to do Muscle Beach 2005, my first bodybuilding competition.  I contacted Brian and Donna Logue, who coached me through it. I placed first in middleweight and definitely have the “bug” now!

- Were you athletic growing up?  What other sports have you done or are
currently doing?
I am the youngest girl in my family with two older brothers. I’ve had to always keep up with them. Growing up I played sports in junior high and high school – basketball and volleyball - in addition running track and field for numerous years.

- How has your track background prepared you for bodybuilding?
My background in track and field has helped me to be focused, and dedicated to the sport of bodybuilding. It’s also given me some fantastic muscular development to begin with.

- What are your bodybuilding goals?
When I decided to first compete my goal was to get on stage and not embarrass myself! I remember when I met my coaches Donna and Brian, Brian had a Team Alberta jacket on. I told him that day, that I too would be wearing a Team Alberta jacket and be set my mind on competing at the Canadian National Bodybuilding Championship. Winning Overall Female at the Alberta Provincials gave me a spot at Nationals which I competed in August 2007. My third show! I was thrilled and very happy with my fourth place finish.  My goals now, I am going to take a year off to build some size. I need to work on adding some muscle to my back and arms to be more symmetrical with my legs. You’ll see me onstage at the Canadian Nationals in 2009, and of course, would love to obtain a Pro Card and compete at some of the bigger shows down in the States.

- In your opinion, what is your best bodypart?
I think my best bodypart is my legs. My quads, hams, and calves are balanced and have good size. Although, I would like to add some more size. Is it ever enough?? I love training my legs and I think it shows. My favorites exercise is squats, I’m twisted I know.

- Do you enjoy performing onstage (bodybuilding routine)?
I actually love posing more than the routine. I’m afraid I let my nerves get the better of me during the routine and that my inexperience shows on stage.

- Why do you love bodybuilding?
I love that bodybuilding is an individual sport. I love that you are accountable to yourself. I love the discipline and intensity of training. And I actually like the structure and maintenance that is required in dieting. I love being “sore” after a workout, and being able to work out with the guys.

- Tell us what a typical day is like your you.
Well, my fiancé and I have our own personal training studio. So after waking at 5 am my day usually includes some paperwork, training my clients, and doing my own workout.  Before bed at 10 pm I usually enjoy a walk with my 2 rotties at the park and spending some quite time with my sweetheart.

- Do you like to show off your muscles when out in public or do you cover up?
I gotta say I’m a show off! I’ve worked to hard to hide under a big baggy sweater. I dress appropriately for what I’m doing though. Won’t see me walking the dogs in a bikini or anything 

- What kind of stuff would we find in the backseat of your car?
Ha! You would find a pair of sneakers, and lots of empty coffee cups. I like it black with sugar free syrup. Vanilla and Hazelnut are my favorites. You probably wouldn’t be able to miss all the empty diet pepsi cans, and empty packets of gum.

- What sports do you watch?
I like to watch the Edmonton Oilers play and I like watching UFC. I like the reality show they play on Spike. What a nerd huh?

- Favorite movie actor/actress?
I love Adam Sandler! Or any actor who can make me bust a gut. Life is to serious some times and it’s nice to sit back on the couch and get a good laugh every once in awhile.

- Do you have childhood trinket that you still keep?
I don’t throw anything away. I’ve got lots of trinkets form my childhood. I still have my cabbage patch kid for pete’s sake! But the most special thing is a pair of Snoopy earrings I used to wear a little girl.

- Person you would like to meet?  (living or dead)
I have a few here. I would love to meet Jesus; what an interesting conversation that would be. There are a few people I really admire that I would love to meet for various reasons. Oprah – what an inspiration and she does so many good things for other people. Arnold – I think it’s pretty obvious why.

- Have you ever eaten anything alive?
Alive? The closest thing I’ve eaten to anything live is a steak cooked medium unless sushi, one of my favorite, counts 