Fitness Model Interview:
Danielle Bird
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The Interview: 1. What's your background? How did you get started in the fitness industry? After I graduated from Central Michigan University I couldn't find a job so I started training for a Fitness America Pageant Regional in Milwaukee. I had seen a show previously on TV and thought I could do that. So a friend of mine gave me that first push. I've been active in Dance: Ballet, lyrical, jazz etc., Cheer, Track, gymnastics, cross country since I was 3. I didn't want to stop just because I was out of school. I cheered at Central Michigan University for 3 years and during that time my tumbling skills improved. 2. What do you feel is your biggest fitness-related accomplishment? Winning the ESPN Series and placing TOP 20 in 2001 3. Is fitness modeling/competition your full-time job? If not, what else do you do? I do this for fun to keep me busy and believe me it does. :) I work as an Inside Sales representative for a small Manufacturer's Representative Company. I am also a personal trainer and I work for the Palace of Auburn Hills. I'm part of the Palace Patrol. You can check out my website: www.dbirdfitness.com 4. What are your immediate and long-term goals? I'm going back to school right now for my Master's in Nutrition and to obtain my dietetics certification. I would like to be settled in one place (preferably owning my own business or gym!) ie a hospital, university/college, athletic gym helping people improve their lifestyle. 5. Please describe a typical day for you. What is your daily routine like? Up at 6am, in the gym by 6:30, at work (inside sales position) by 8:30, training clients, working on my fitness competition routine, or school after 4 until 8:30/9. 6. Please describe your normal diet. How do you eat to stay in shape? I try to eat a variety of foods. I allow myself one cheat day a week. However after a competition I cheat throughout the week. :) I eat 5-6 meals a day and I try to include a protein, starchy carb and vegetable/fruit at every meal. Closer to competition time I like to eat foods that are low on the glycimic index. That seems to really work for me. 7. What is your training routine like? Well I'm always changing it up. Right now I'm working out in the morning because it's the most convenient. I do one body part a day for 30-40 min. followed by 25-40 minutes of cardio. I take a plyometrics class too which really kicks my butt. It's a higher end workout. Post-season I do heavy weight, low reps and rest 2 minutes in between. Closer to competition I start throwing in giant sets, super sets, compound sets to keep my heart rate up so I can be better prepared for my routine. I'm small and I lose my muscle fast so I stay away from a lot of cardio until closer to my competition. I try to stay around 16% body fat post-season and my preferred body fat for competition is somewhere between 12-14%. I'm not a big runner. I did it for so many years...it's just not the same. My favorite cardio is classes ie tae-bo, ballet. :) I also start upping my tumbling closer to competition and that helps. 8. What supplements do you use? I supplement with protein powder, creatine (powder), bars, vitamins and L-glutamine (powder). 9. How do you motivate yourself to get/stay in shape? Well I figure if I take care of myself now I'm preparing myself for later on in my life. If I get injured or ill I will recover faster because I am in better shape. When I'm preparing for my competitions I fight through those last couple reps by asking myself "what is your competition doing right now?" 10. What are a few of your favorite fitness and health-related web sites? some of my favorite websites are www.fitnessamerica.com, www.fitsights.com, www.genex9.com, www.fitness-files.com, www.healthfitnesstips.com and www.getbuf.com 11. What tips would you give to someone who wanted to get into the fitness modeling (or fitness competition) industry? Start out small. Start with a regional competition because a Nationals competition will be overwhelming with over 100 competitors. And don't be afraid to ask questions. I went into my first couple competitions blind. I had no idea what I was doing. Do your research- check out websites! The girls in this industry are so willing to help. A lot of the girls are developing websites that will help possible competitors find choreographers, costume designers, personal trainers, etc. Have fun with it too! Don't let it consume you! 12. If someone you knew asked you how to lose weight and get into shape quickly, what would you tell them? Well that's a hard question. Everyone's different. I would have to look at what they've done in the past. I would need to know about any health conditions or injuries they might have had or have. I also need to know what they're willing to do and not to do as well what they are willing to eat and not to eat. If I don't know anything about the person though I would say start small. Try to start eating every 3-4 hours and try to start eating breakfast. You want to give your system a shock and you want to help speed up your metabolism. Also the advice I would give wouldn't be for a short term period. I would make sure to let them know that it's going to be a new lifestyle. It's hard at first, but if you truly want to feel and look better then you will make the changes and stick to them. And it's not very hard to stick to eating every couple hours. You just have to want to do it and be organized. 13. What do you feel differentiates you from other people in your field? Physically my dimples. :) Other then that..I can't think of anything off hand. :) 14. Is there anything else you'd like to say? If anyone has any questions or requests you can contact me at www.dbirdfitness.com. I am available for personal training, guest speaking, or guest performance. I am also co-promoting a Fitness America Pageant, Ms. Bikini America and Muscle Mania Body Building show in the Detroit, Michigan area on Saturday May 17th, 2003. If you would like any information www.fapmotorcity.com or www.dbirdfitness.com
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