Martha Lombardo-Grant (IFBB Pro)
Competitor of the Month - May 2010
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
WP: Martha Lombardo-Grant is an IFBB Pro Fitness & Figure Athlete, educator, motivator, fitness leader, and also a Personal Trainer & Nutrition Consultant. She has a unique and extraordinary talent for combining knowledge, practical success strategies with intuitive insight, and great understanding. Whether it's through one-on-one personal training, small or big group bootcamp, group fitness classes, or nutrition plans designed specifically for you; her ability to challenge and inspire comes from abundance of wisdom, personal and professional success, and a very extensive personal training background.
“...There was limited networking and very little support in the competitive community in Canada. For me, it was sheer drive to the pursuit of excellence in the health and fitness industry.”
Martha has been involved in the fitness industry for 21 years. She is recognized, internationally, in the areas of health and fitness excellence through her personal training, boot camp, nutrition services, group fitness classes, elite performance program, weight loss success, and more. She has been featured in numerous business publications; International Health and Fitness Magazine, appeared on television, and radio talk show program throughout North America.
Martha Lombardo-Grant Highlights:
WP: What an honor to have you here! You are such an inspiration! Wow! It's outstanding to see all of the things you have accomplished! Let’s begin by talking about Martha Lombardo-Grant. Shed a little light about yourself to our readers.
MG: First off, I would like to thank you for interviewing me as Competitor of the Month. It's awesome to be apart of this interview and be able to share my journey with World Physique Magazine readers.
MG: Thank you! I was born in small town Windsor Ontario, Canada. I started out a geeky tom boy; no dresses for me! And, I’m a crazy the 80’s cobra hairdos; however, I loved my sports! I was into anything that had to do with jumping, running, gymnastics, and dancing; anything to get my adrenaline pumping! I started out teaching aerobics in our community center when I was 16. From there I went on to my first job at Gold’s Gym, as a Fitness Instructor, back then it was only high or low impact classes, and Jane Fonda workout. I could no longer compete in dancing or gymnastics due to several injuries and found myself wanting to “play a woman” in beauty pageants, something foreign to me, due to the whole tomboy thing; around the same time I saw this ad on TV while in the gym for Fitness America pageant (held in Niagara Falls, NY), I took down the info and decided right then and there that I was going to do it. I had three weeks to prepare, diet, train and wrap my head around the idea of what I was doing!! There were no resources for me back in 1990; and I was the first Canadian girl to do this particular fitness pageant and basically winged it, but I placed third! From there I was hooked! It was Nim King (former IFBB Pro Bodybuilder & Promoter) who spotted me in Niagara Falls and told me I would be a better fit for CBBF/IFBB. I followed his advice, spent a few years crafting my body to the IFBB standards and in 2000 I won my IFBB Pro Fitness status.
I am now known as Martha Grant and currently reside in Calgary Alberta Canada, with my husband, Travis and our five furry babies; our cats. I’m a personal trainer & boot camp trainer, competitive coach and nutrition consultant. I run and own my own business, NYC Fitness Evolution (NYC; meaning ‘Now You Create’... your best body, a new you, your new look; whatever your personal goal is).
WP: What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
MG: Back into the early 90’s there were so many challenges, the fitness competition world was very new and wasn’t in Canada until 1994; there was only Ms. Galaxy, Fitness America Pageant, and the IFBB Federation in the USA. There was limited networking and very little support in the competitive community in Canada. For me it was sheer drive to the pursuit of excellence in the health and fitness industry. As I mentioned above, I started in the gym teaching classes, then became a trainer as well as a competitor. In doing this, I had the help of a few people along the way, like Nim King, I found my focus in the fitness world. For me, fitness role models, such as Rachael McLeish, Cory Everson, Laurie Donnelly, Kiana Tom, and meeting Paul Dillette in Gold’s Gym Venice Beach (1992) inspired and motivated me to pursue my goals as a Pro Competitor. Once I achieved my goal, I wanted to a new challenge and decided to help others in their fitness goals. I’ve become a total fitness resource!
I’ve been able to take my experiences, knowledge and challenges and pass along to others who want to pursue their own fitness goals.
WP: What has it been like to maintain your physique?
MG: As a competitor, my training regime was strict; almost obsessive. Weight training was 5 days, Cardio was 6 days, 5 days, hour and a half fitness training, as in gymnastic rehearsals; eating protein at every meal, including necessary carbs & veggies. Sundays were my only off day, but was committed to preparing for the next week ahead. Training was my life and I enjoyed it.
Yes, I’ve done a complete 180. I no longer have a “figure” competitive body style anymore; I’ve transformed my body and downsized my physique. Since I’m no longer competing, I needed to find a way to organize my overall well being. I’m still extremely fit and healthy, just found a way to add quality to my life and training routine. My routine now consists of functional training and plenty of cardio; I also incorporate other activities as Zumba, yoga, meditation and I also have a excellent skin regime; fight the aging all the way baby!
WP: Can you give me a history about your competing?
MG: Yes. I competed for several years, from 1990 to 2006, from Fitness America Pageant to CBBF/IFBB. Switching my IFBB Pro Fitness Status over to IFBB Pro Figure in 2002 because of gymnastics recurring injuries and “Figure” did not come to Canada until that point. It worked out perfectly for me, I didn’t have to re-qualify they grandfathered you over and I followed Monica Brant and Jenny Lynn after they made the switch to Figure, as well.
WP: Who doesn't love Monica Brant? Are you planning to compete again in the future?
MG: I will never say never; there may be a time when I feel the need. Right now, I’m enjoying my life and it’s time to give back to others and the sport! It completes me!! I feel so satisfied in helping others and proud of my personal training and competitive clients. I am very pleased with my results and grateful for the opportunities that the sport has given me.
WP: What other sports or activities did or do you enjoy?
MG: I’ve enjoyed track and field, gymnastics, volleyball, cheerleading and 8 yrs. competitive dance.
WP: Tell me about your family.
MG: I grew up in a very strict European family where arranged marriages took place and failed. My mother raised me and my brother pretty much on her own, which showed me strength and because it was tough financially, it taught me how to be a survivor and gave me determination! My family never truly supported me in my desire to pursue fitness as a way of life. It took them seven years to come around. It was my long term dedication that made them accept my choices. I am happily married to my husband, Travis Grant. I met him the year I won my IFBB Pro Card in 1990. He has brought me so much joy, balance and happiness to my life. He is truly an understanding and patient man. He gives unconditional love and support even with all the demands of our lives and my excessive workload as a trainer. I am truly blessed to share my life with my best friend.
WP: What has competing taught you thus far?
MG: Competition has taught me so much that I could write a book! It was a different way of life when I competed as to the way it is now. There are plenty of resources available now, federations, competition camps, etc. For me, it was a journey of self-discovery, personally and professionally. The fact that I was persistent about reaching my goals as a competitor gave me inner-strength, self-confidence, and an opportunity to improve my self-esteem & image. Overall, it has given me the tools and the gift to give to others.
WP: What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?
MG: Quite simply, it would have to be the lack of resources available at the time. You were pretty much on your own!
WP: What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
MG: I am considered by friends to be “obsessive compulsive” about my eating habits. I never cheated! Ever! Diet has never been a struggle for me.
WP: What key achievements have you thus far?
MG: I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished over the years; I’ve appeared in several fitness magazines, written freelance articles, acted in local fitness commercials, I’ve been a representative and model for several supplement companies and launched my own business & training website. Before I started competing in fitness events, I won Miss. Italy and Miss Teen Talent Canada in 1990.
As a competitor though, my most meaningful title highlights are:
1990 - 3rd runner-up - Ms. Fitness America (My first show)
1992 - Top 20 Finalist - National Ms. Fitness America (Was first international qualifier)
1994 - 1st Place Champion - Ms. Fitness CANADA/USA (I won in my home town - Windsor)
1996 - 3rd runner-up - Ms. Fitness America ESPN Series (My first live (TV) showing)
1998 - 2nd runner-up - Canadian National Championship (CBBF/IFBB’s first show in Canada)
1998 - 2nd runner-up - North American Championship (First show in US with CBBF/IFBB)
1998 - 1st runner-up - Fitness Extravaganza Woman’s Strong Competition (By invitation only, and I broke the record for most bicep curls)
2000 - IFFB Pro Card Winner - IFBB Canadian Championship (I won a motorbike!)
2005 - 12th Place - IFBB Pro Figure - New York (personal best placing in US with IFBB)
2006 - 6th Place IFBB Pro Figure - Montreal (personal best in IFBB at Pro Level)
WP: Great history! Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?
MG: I want to focus on and grow my business, NYC Fitness Evolution, and take it international; build an Empire, so to speak. My main goals at this point are to:
WP: Sounds exciting! What supplements do you currently take?
MG: I do and have taken several protein and other supplements over the years. My key components are to have good multi-vitamins, calcium, EFA and whey protein.
WP: What are your pet peeves?
MG: My pet peeves are ignorance and quitters, in the sense of, not giving their all. Everyone has the ability to succeed, but only if they persist!
WP: Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
MG: Without giving away my trade secrets? Ha-ha! It is comparable to most competitors:
I eat 6 portion controlled meals per day.
Lean proteins (no red meat);
Low GI Carbs (avoid white, processed and sugar products);
Lots and lots of vegetables rich in nutrients.
WP: Is there anything I have forgotten to mention that you would like to bring to light?
MG: For the competitors out there that are experiencing setbacks or feelings of frustration; don’t be discouraged! I have experienced setbacks, too, and a few things people don’t know about me is that I am deaf in one ear, dyslexic and have an irregular heart condition and I never let these ‘perceived’ disabilities stop me from achieving my dreams! If anything, they made me work harder, mentally and physically, to reach my goals! And as the saying goes; anything is possible if you just put your mind to it!
WP: It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!
MG: Thank you, Tammy. I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to share my story and hopefully World Physique Magazine readers will find something viable from this and apply it to their own competitive lifestyles.
