Angie Gooding
Featured PT and Model - February 2011
Interviewed by: Tammy Renee'
Competitive, serious, determined and kind are the words most of Angie Gooding's friends use to describe her. As a mother of two, a wife, professional (and natural) IFPA figure competitor, agency-represented model, business owner, personal trainer, and published author, she loves seeking new challenges. Right out of college, she taught high school English Literature at Ballard High School in Seattle, so she says that proves she has a bit of a nerd in her, too.
WP: Hey Angie! I just want to mention to everyone that you are part of our Team World Physique as a writer. It's great to be interviewing you today. How long have you been in the fitness industry?
Thank you! It's a pleasure! I have been a personal trainer for almost 3 years.
WP: What made you decide to get into the fitness industry?
I have always loved to exercise. In college I used to jog; however, jogging never changed my body's appearance. To be honest, despite all the athletic endeavors I've tried up to this point in my life, the most athletic thing I've done is give birth to my children naturally; no drugs, pain meds, or interventions for either of my births. After that powerful experience, I decided to push my body to see what it was capable of doing. Weight training became a focus for me, and I decided to enter my first bodybuilding and figure competition when my son was just a year and a half old. Weight training became a passion of mine, and immediately after my first competition, I studied to become certified as a personal trainer.
WP: What is your educational background? What are your certifications?
In college, I studied English Literature and Education, and later, I got my MAED in Education. Now, I am an ACE-Certified Personal Trainer.
WP: How long have you been a personal trainer?
I have been a personal trainer for almost 3 years.
WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?
I approach personal training from an educational perspective. Just like with students, no two clients are going to be motivated in the same way. I build fitness programs based around clients' interests, goals, and their strengths and their weaknesses. I have small goal benchmarks for each client, and constantly remind them of how much they can achieve if they focus, and if they dedicate themselves. To me, fitness takes planning, commitment and discipline, just like learning and achieving academically.
WP: Where do you train your clients? Do you train them in a gym, at home, or where?
I'm blessed! My husband and I built a studio in our home, and clients come to me. It is a private setting with quality equipment, so my full attention is on my clients; no distractions!
WP: How many days do you suggest your clients to work out in a week?
How often a person works out really depends on their fitness needs and their goals. I assess each client individually; some people need to exercise daily, and some need to work out just 3 times per week.
WP: What helps you get up each morning?
If my four year old son doesn't wake me first, my dedication and competitive spirit get me moving each and every morning. I am motivated by my vision and by my goals; once I set a goal, I fight to accomplish it, even if it means getting up early.
WP: What motivates you?
My family, God, good friends, good music, and my overall vision for my life motivate me.
WP: What forms of exercise do you find to be the most effective for the following? To gain mass:
HEAVY: full dead lifts, pull-ups, front squats, walking lunges (holding dumbbells), and dumbbell chest press.
WP: To lose weight:
Walking uphill (steep incline), jogging, and stair climber.
WP: To cut:
High Reps of any type of weight training exercise, and sprints.
WP: Before competition:
All of it; and more, and more, and more.
WP: Tell me about your modeling.
I am a model represented by Sports and Lifestyle Unlimited out of Portland, LA and also represented by TCM Models and Talent out of Seattle. I have been represented by SLU for a year and TCM for only a month, but am enjoying the process of learning the market and the business!
WP: Who have you worked with?
I have worked with Power Systems, and a variety of very talented photographers: Robert Szypicyn, Harvey Elkins, James Patrick, Mike Luong, Tim McGuire, Frankie Benka, KP Studios, and Kurt Fuerer.
WP: Does your training differ when you are modeling and when you are not?
Yes, my training differs when I'm submitting for modeling jobs. For competitions, I tend to become too lean (especially in my face!) for the camera, and TCM has suggested that I let them know when I'm at my leanest so they know when to submit me, and when not to. It's a juggle!
WP: You also compete. Tell me about that.
I love competing, and I have my pro card as an IFPA Figure competitor, and I'll be doing my first NPC show this spring! I'm looking forward to experiencing the differences between the two federations.
WP: How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off-season?
This season, I hired a trainer to help prepare me for my next competition. She has changed my mind set about pre-contest and post-season training. Because of her coaching, I believe we competitors are ALWAYS in pre-contest training, whether it's nine months, nine weeks, or nine days out from a show. There is no such thing as post-season for me anymore. However, with that said, my routines are different depending on how far out my next competition is.
WP: What do you like and dislike about competing?
Competitions give me a goal to shoot for, and I enjoy staying focused and committed to my goal. Not only do I feel a sense of accomplishment when I step off stage, but I feel accomplished after each workout that brings me closer to my goal. I also enjoy the camaraderie that exists between fellow competitors; it's much like a family!
WP: What do I dislike about competing?
Even though it is difficult for me to maintain this mindset, competitions are about making my physique better than it was before, and not about winning. Competing is a journey, not a destination; competing is also about being humble and appreciating all the other fantastic physiques that are on stage. It bothers me when fellow competitors celebrate a title or mourn a second place, rather than focusing on the tremendous accomplishment and honor of simply being able to step on stage!
WP: From your past contests, what have you learned you need to correct or work on for the physique you are aiming for?
Because I am almost 5'10", I have to work incredibly hard to build mass. My long muscles are both a blessing and a curse! I am always working at trying to build my back and legs, so that I don't look like a willowy tree on stage. Ha! I've also discovered that over-dieting is NOT the key to my success. Feed thy body!
WP: What are your strengths and weaknesses in competitions?
One of my strengths as a competitor is my stage presence. I also feel confident about my abs and shoulders. However, I need to not neglect them, either. Because I am tall and long, I always am working at growing my back and legs for a larger, less willowy appearance.
WP: What problems have you had as far as staying motivated and disciplined to stick with your workouts?
When my nutrition is not right, I struggle with my energy level and ability to lift heavy in the gym. For me, it's most important to concentrate on eating enough of the right foods so that I can work hard in the gym.
WP: How have you changed over the years?
Over the years, I have become more confident and sure of myself. I take more risks now, and the risks I have taken have definitely paid off. Now that I'm in my thirties, I am focused, and know what I want in life, and I'm also more able to share my abilities with others. I'm at that point in my life, because of my dedication and confidence, where I can share fitness with clients, friends or an audience.
WP: Any shout outs?
I'd love to give a million shout outs? First, to my husband, my friends and family for their support. Second, thanks to you, Tammy, for creating opportunities, and to my FMI family; you guys are awesome!
WP: What were you like in high school?
I am so glad you asked this question. In high school, I was kind of nerdy, but in a good way. My father was a Superior Court Judge, so I was a good--two-shoes; I took all the honors and Advanced Placement classes, and was a class officer every dang year. I was a good student, and always made honor roll. I played an instrument in the band, and was active in volleyball, basketball and track. Generally, I was well-liked, but shy and not very popular with boys. Maybe it was because I wore a lot of long, flowery skirts and turtleneck sweaters. Ha!
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
Outside of fitness, I love to ski, read, write and listen to music.
WP: What type of music do you listen to?
I love all types of music, and I listen to a variety, usually depending on my mood. I enjoy classical, rock, alternative, country; I like anything with a beat!
WP: Tell me about your family. Your spouse, kids, etc.
My husband, Jason, and I have been married eleven years. He is an incredible human being, husband and father. Jason is a counselor, and enjoys working out too. I have a daughter, who is seven years old, and a son who is four. They keep me busy, to say the least.
WP: What are your future projects?
For the future, I plan on continuing as a personal trainer, competitor, wife and mother. I also plan on expanding my audience as a fitness writer by writing on a monthly basis for World Physique. I'm working on creating an identity for the monthly column, so look for it, and stay tuned!
WP: You have been such a pleasure to work with and I have enjoyed interviewing you. I can't wait to see what 2011 holds for us!
Thank you, Tammy!
