Interview With Ashley Simons
Featured Up-&-Coming Model/Competitor - February 2010
Interviewed by: Angela Courduff
WP: Ashley Simons is one beautiful and sexy lady! She is a stay at home mom that you will begin seeing on the competition stage and in magazines. Ashely has really impressed us! We feel you will begin seeing her pop up everywhere! Watch out for Ashley. She's going to take the world by storm.
“Staying disciplined on a weekly basis is the hardest part for me. It is so easy to get off track. I know; I have been there before.”
WP: Hi Ashley! Tell me about yourself! What do you do?
AS: I am a stay at home mom at the moment. I have just started getting into fitness modeling and I intend on competing.
WP: When did you first become interested in exercise and fitness?
AS: I have been interested in fitness from a young age. I grew up participating in sports such as cheerleading and gymnastics. I started off just having an interest in cardio such as the stepper, elliptical and aerobics. I mainly took interest in cardio to maintain my weight. It took me awhile to realize that I needed to incorporate weight training to truly transform my body. After that, I became utterly addicted.
WP: You mentioned you plan on competing. Are you preparing to compete this year?
AS: I would like to compete in bikini and hope to enter my first competition this year.
WP: You should go for it! You are very dedicated to your health. Can you tell me about your training?
AS: I train 5 days per week, and I really like to mix it up. I began running 3 years ago which has really helped change my legs. I am naturally very muscular and, since I am petite, it doesn’t take much for me to build size in my legs. Running has really helped lean out my legs. I like to do interval training. Lately, I have been running in the morning and weight training in the evening.
WP: What do you consider to be the hardest part of training?
AS: Staying disciplined on a weekly basis is the hardest part for me. It is so easy to get off track. I know; I have been there before. I am a strong believer that you should always go ahead and workout, unless you are really sick. I always feel better after a workout, even on the days I would rather sit on the couch.
WP: I absolutely agree with you. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to exercise for the first time?
AS: Take it one day at a time. Set goals that are attainable. Setting goals that are too high can be overwhelming. Most people want a quick fix, but, with fitness it really is a lifestyle change. Take it slow and build up your endurance. Set goals such as, ‘I am going to run for 20 minutes a day this week, and increase to 25 minutes a day the following week’. Start off with light weights, such as 5 lbs., and lift with 10 lbs. the next week. Another good piece of advice is to frequently look at a picture of yourself when you were most pleased with your physique in order to maintain focus and motivation.
WP: That really is a great idea. Can you tell me how your training has changed over the years?
AS: As I mentioned earlier, I was afraid of weight training due to naturally being very muscular. I stayed away from weights and only did cardio. I had to learn that I could have a longer, leaner physique by properly training with weights as well as cardio.
WP: Can you give me an example of your current workout?
AS: I am a strong believer in interval training. I really like to use my own body for resistance. I take an incredible class at the YMCA called Power Hour. It incorporates running, sprints, suicides, agility drills, burpees, squat jumps, frog hops, push ups, weights, etc. You never know what you are going to get with this class. But, I can promise it is a challenge even for those who are in peak condition. I usually take this class 2 days a week and the rest of the time I work out at home. I usually run 4-6 miles outside or on the treadmill changing the degree of incline. I lift weights 3-4 times per week. I work my abs 5 days per week and love using a stability ball because there are so many different exercises I can do to achieve great abs. Here is an example of my typical week:
Monday: Power Hour Class
Tuesday: Run 4-6 miles in the morning, train back and biceps in the evening
Wednesday: Power Hour Class
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Run or Elliptical in the morning, weight train chest, triceps, and shoulders in the evening
Saturday: Elliptical and train legs
Sunday: Rest
WP: You are really dedicated to your routine! Can you tell me what your typical daily diet consists of?
AS: Breakfast: Plain fat free Greek yogurt with flax seed and berries, or a protein shake
Snack: A handful of almonds
Lunch: Salad with romaine lettuce, red peppers, green peppers, mushrooms, and some type of low fat protein such as chicken or salmon
Snack: String cheese and apple
Dinner: Fish with wild rice and broccoli
Snack: I have a habit of eating olives when I get hungry anytime in the day.
WP: That is a very unique snack option and one of my personal favorite foods! What is the hardest part of dieting for you?
AS: The hardest part for me is actually eating. I used to skip meals all the time and really hurt my metabolism. I learned a very valuable lesson: I have to constantly fuel my body to achieve a lean physique. Now, my body is as lean as ever! I have a tendency to forget to eat if I do not plan my meals.
WP: Do you take any supplements?
AS: I take a multivitamin and antioxidant from New Chapter and Natural Factors 100% Natural Whey Protein.
WP: Who are some of your idols? Who do you admire most in your business?
AS: I am a big fan of Jamie Eason. She is very knowledgeable about fitness and health and, of course, she has a great body.
WP: I agree with you on that one. What do you consider to be important in life? Why?
AS: My family is the most important part of my life. I hope to be a good role model for my daughter and I will encourage her to embrace a healthy lifestyle.
WP: How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
AS: Becoming a mother has really changed me. I never knew how much of myself I was willing to give until I became a mom. Now, I try to make the best lifestyle choices such as going to all yearly doctor appointments, eating the right foods and getting enough exercise. I never thought about my mortality until I brought life into this world. I believe motherhood has made me a more patient and understanding person that wants to make the best choices to live a long and healthy life for me and for my family.
WP: Thank you, Ashley. We feel you are going to be the competition in this industry. We are excited to see what is next for you. It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you the best of luck in your first competition this year!
AS: Thank you!
