Sarah Riley - WBFF Competitor
WPM's Competitor of the Month - September 2011
Interviewed by: Hitch Fit Gym
Sarah Riley originally grew up in a small town called Unionville, Mo. She has been involved with sports her entire life and has always been into fitness and weight lifting. She moved to Kansas City, Mo, in August of 2010 and is currently attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), going to medical school to become an OB/GYN and deliver babies. She went her entire first semester of college without lifting and she was just itching to get back into the gym. She contacted Diana Chaloux at Hitch Fit and she hooked her up with her trainer, Anise Thomas. From there, she went on to compete in the WBFF Central US Championships and won her class!
"...My goal for my future as far as fitness is to keep competing. I would really like to get my pro-card, and go on to compete with the professionals. I will definitely stay with the WBFF, because it is such a wonderful organization and provides so many opportunities for the athletes. I have so much support behind me in my fitness endeavors and I'm truly grateful for that."
WP: You recently trained for and competed in your very first competition, the WBFF Central US Championships! What was that experience like and how did you do?
When I first heard about the WBFF, my eyes lit up and I instantly knew that it was something that I wanted to compete in. I didn't go in looking to place, rather just have the experience. I competed in the Diva Bikini modeling division, where I took 3rd place overall. I was ecstatic! It was my first show ever and I couldn't believe that I did so well. Overall, it was one the greatest experiences of my life. I got into prime shape with my body, I met amazing athletes and professionals, the opportunities were endless, and I had a blast. The energy on stage was phenomenal! I can honestly say that I competed with the best of the best in the industry. I may have not got my pro-card, but I walked away with an awesome trophy and a metal, and memories that with last a lifetime. I cannot wait to do it again!
WP: What obstacles have you overcome to get in your best shape ever?
The week I started training for the competition, I had to have surgery on my lower back from a mole I previously had removed. Luckily, I walked away with only eleven stitches and a cancer free body. But this set me back a couple of weeks on my training. As soon as I could start back at it, I poured my entire heart and soul into it and made it my number one priority to get back to optimum shape. It was hard to manage my time for training because I'm a full time student and I work part-time at a pharmacy. But, I got it all figured out. Other than that, my diet and my cardio were hard for me to get use to at first, but in the end I conquered it and it definitely showed on stage.
WP: What was your training and nutrition like as you prepared for this show?
Training for the show consisted of weight lifting six days a week, and cardio every day. For the first couple of months, I would work different body parts each day, but when it got closer to showtime, my trainer had me doing full body workouts. As for my nutrition, I was on a low carb diet. I was eating 6 meals a day, and carb cycling every eighteenth meal. I took protein three times a day, but sometimes when I didn't feel like eating I just drink a protein shake. I built up first and later shed down. Three weeks out from the show, my calories, fat, and carb portions were cut down a lot! It's funny how much your diet affects your mood, and being carb depleted doesn't help. I think every competitor can agree. But after the show, I ate normal food; a lot of carbs. But now, I can honestly say that I never want to eat chicken again. But, I will anyways.
WP: What goals/dreams and aspirations do you have for the future as far as fitness goes?
My goal for my future as far as fitness is to keep competing. I would really like to get my pro-card, and go on to compete with the professionals. I will definitely stay with the WBFF, because it is such a wonderful organization and provides so many opportunities for the athletes. I have so much support behind me in my fitness endeavors and I'm truly grateful for that. I also have people that don't agree with it, but most of them don't fully understand fitness itself, but that's fine. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The truth is fitness is something that you have to do for "you", and no one else. And I've learned that. But later, when I'm done competing. I plan on staying in shape and being fit. I will most likely workout and lift weights my entire life. It has become such an important aspect of my life, and I've grown to love it.
WP: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in competing, but afraid to take those first steps?
Take the risk! You can't live life being afraid to do what you want. If you want to compete, do it. It's a positive thing for your life in so many ways. Plus, not many people can say that they have competed in the fitness industry; so this is something unique that you can have over every other ordinary person in the world.
WP: Would you like to thank anyone who has been a part of your fitness journey?
I owe a huge thank you to my personal trainer, Anise Thomas, at Hitch Fit Gym. If it wasn't for her I would have accomplished the things I did while competing. Also, big thanks to Micah Lacerte and Diana Chaloux at Hitch Fit for hosting the WBFF in Kansas City; they made the entire experience worthwhile. And to all of my family and friends that supported me throughout my entire journey, I wouldn't be where I am without their support. So, thank you everyone!
WP: Thanks for your time and congratulations!
