Fitness Model Interview:April Stubbs-Smith |
The Interview: 1. What's your background? How did you get started in the fitness industry? I wanted another competitive outlet. I've always been an athlete, participating in track and field, soccer, and cheerleading. When fitness competitions started exploding onto the scene, it seemed fun and I knew it was something that I could do while still getting that competitive "kick."
Winning my class at the 2002 NPC Jan Tana Classic Figure Championships. After a disappointing placing at the 2002 Team Universe, I did the Jan Tana the following weekend and won. I felt redeemed.
My full-time job is working as a Project Director for a health management consulting firm. I have a Masters in Public Health degree and manage multi-million dollar federal government contracts, most focusing on HIV/AIDS care and other public health issues. I'm also the co-owner of Fit Femme, LLC, a personal training and nutritional consultation business. I work predominantly with fitness and figure competitors, overseeing their contest prep.
Maintaining my spirituality and committed to God is my number one goal every day. Regarding the fitness industry, to become as successful as possible, while continuing to be a role model for young girls and professional career women. It takes a great deal of discipline to maintain a successful career while growing a business, as well as staying true to yourself to maintain your physique--and your sanity. I want women to know that you really can have it all, if you're focused and disciplined. On the personal side, my goals are to continue to live a positive lifestyle, live healthy and devote myself to my family. Balance is the key.
Wake up at 5:00am for morning cardio and stretch. The early workout gets me pumped for the day ahead. Head home to shower, get dressed and eat breakfast. Work 8-10 at the office. Head to the gym after work to train for an hour and a half. I work 2 bodyparts and then wrap up with 30 minutes of cardio. I may have a few clients during the week after work. On weekends, I follow up with my competitor clients, coaching them and monitoring their contest preparations on a weekly basis. I'm pretty busy!
I usually eat 5-6 small meals a day. My normal diet is high protein, moderate carbs and low fat. I eat a lot of vegetables and drink a gallon of water a day. Although I stay pretty strict, I do allow myself cheat foods one day a week.
Pre-contest training is pretty intense. I train 6 days a week and perform a split routine, hitting every bodypart twice a week. I take Sundays off as a mental health holiday! Because working legs wipes me out, I split my leg workouts into quads/calves and then hamstrings/abductors/adductors/calves the following routine. Since my goal is to come in lean and tight, I focus on light-medium weight, with high reps in the 20-30 range with each exercise. Depending on what I think my weaknesses are, I'll perform a heavy workout once a week on the lagging bodypart. For cardio, I do 90 minutes/day: 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening after my weight workout. This routine seems to fit me perfectly. It's helped me come in really lean and tight for my shows.
Isomatrix protein shake in Chocolate Hurricane flavor. Hydroxycut or Xenadrine RF-1 as a fat burner (pre-contest only), BCAAs, and glutamine. Of course, these are in addition to my regular daily multivitamin/mineral complex and antioxidant blend.
Visualization works very well for me. I visualize each muscle fiber contraction and really try to focus. My true tool is staying in prayer which gives me the strength to work so hard and then train hard. I also picture myself onstage accepting that first-place trophy. That puts it all in perspective: if I slack, then no trophy. I also look at photos of the top IFBB competitors in the magazines. Photos of Adela Friedmansky in shape definitely prevents me from slipping up. She's incredible.
I like Monica Brant's site as well as Timea Majorova, Allison Bookless and Lisa Lowe. I also browse the NPC main site and Getbig.com message boards for news and gossip. I also check my site's message board on a daily basis to respond to fans who post messages on my message board.
Perseverance works wonders. It can be very difficult to stay motivated, especially in the beginning when you're new to the sport and don't place as well as you like. The sport of fitness and now figure are equally subjective. I've placed from 1st to 15th and everywhere in between. I love competing for the fun of it and I like the way I look in contest shape. I tell newbies to keep at it, ask for help if you need it and don't be afraid to talk to the judges. I've been a judge for over 5 years and always strive to give constructive advice to the athletes. I know that the positive feedback that I received over the years has helped me develop my winning physique.
I don't think that there is a "quick fix," outside of surgery. Even with the best fat burner and a super-strict diet, you're talking 4 weeks to see great results. And that's provided that the person is doing their cardio and training correctly. You must be very disciplined. I also tell people that diet and exercise are synergistic, that is, you get the best results when you do both together in an organized fashion. Women especially tend to believe the "I'll lose the bodyfat first and then lift weights" fallacy. Quick results happen when you do both.
I live this lifestyle every single day and have been competing for over 10 years. I've seen the sport develop over time and can bring that perspective to every competitor I come in contact with. Also, I have a demanding career and a family that I am devoted to, so competition obviously is not the end-all/be-all. I believe in balance and honesty. My clients appreciate that when they come to me with questions or for coaching and advice because I understand the daily trials of being stressed at work, staying strict on your diet, etc. They also know that I will always tell them the truth. I've turned clients away because they couldn't accept that I wouldn't tell them what they wanted to hear. The respect that they have for me --because I have it for myself-- is my strongest marketing tool.
I'm like the Energizer bunny: I just keep going and going and going... I have to sometimes make myself slow down. I've loved every competition from day one and will always be committed to the lifestyle, even when I stop competing. I invite readers to visit my website at http://www.AllApril.com. I'm also available for fitness modeling, acting, trade shows, and promotional events. Competitors may also contact me directly from the website to discuss coaching and contest preparation services.
Back to Fitness-Model-Advice.com
|
|
|
