Interview with Ashley Gay
Next-In-Line Pro Competitor Feature - July 2010
Interviewed by: Carrie Ann
Why do we call it our Next-In-Line Pro? These competitors are the ones we feel will become a Pro soon. They have great accomplishments in this industry and we feel they will be the ones' to watch in the coming months.
As a child Ashley was a huge tom boy. She loved playing sports and being outdoors. She would camp with my dad and play football with her cousins. At the age of 5, her parents put her sister and her in gymnastics. She immediately fell in love with the sport and began competing at the age of 10. In junior high, she joined the volleyball and track team while still competing in club gymnastics. When she was in the 9th grade, she was chosen to compete on the High School Varsity Gymnastics team. Her senior year of high school, she was one of ten girls chosen to compete on the Texas High School National Gymnastics Team in Las Vegas. She graduated from Angelo State University in 2007 with a Business degree and she currently work as a legal assistant. She never participated in college sports, but to stay active, she signed up for local 5k, 10k, half marathons, triathlons and eventually a marathon.
"...My next competition was the South Texas Classic, I placed 2nd, followed by the West Texas Classic, where I placed 3rd and finally, in April of 2010, the Texas Shredder in Austin, Texas. I placed 1st in bikini and 1st overall!"
(WP): What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?
I had never considered competing in bodybuilding competitions before. But in 2009, a friend asked if that was something I might be interested in. I began doing a little research on the sport. I honestly had never heard about the NPC or INBF. When I looked into it, I became excited and was ready to take on a new challenge. I signed up for my first INBF bikini competition in August of 2009. Because of my gymnastics career, I was used to being in front of a panel of judges in a skimpy outfit, so standing on stage in a bikini was no problem for me. I felt completely comfortable on stage and I loved showing off what I have worked so hard for. I placed 2nd at my first competition and I couldn’t wait to get home to begin training for another one.
(WP): What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?
I have always been active, even as a child, so I have always been naturally skinny. But up until recently have I been adding muscle to my physique. At first it was difficult to build muscle on my skinny frame, but once I learned the correct way to eat, it became easier. My diet has changed dramatically! Before, I didn’t pay attention to what I was putting into my body, sodas, sugar, junk food, you name it. I began eating foods high in protein and noticed I actually felt better and started seeing muscles I never knew I had. Because I have a high metabolism, maintaining muscle is a little more difficult. I really have to watch what I eat and make sure I put in the hours at the gym every week.
(WP): Where do you reside now?
I am living in San Angelo, Texas. It’s a small town, yet big enough and close to enough big cities to not feel too confined.
(WP): So, you have competed before? Can you tell me more about it?
My first competition was in August of 2009, the Texas Fit Model Search in Austin, Texas, the most intimidating competition I have ever been to, but I placed 2nd out of 23 girls. After the Texas Fit Model, I wanted to gain more muscle so I began working out harder and was stricter on my diet. My next competition was the South Texas Classic, I placed 2nd, followed by the West Texas Classic, where I placed 3rd and finally, in April of 2010, the Texas Shredder in Austin, Texas. I placed 1st in bikini and 1st overall!
(WP): Are you planning to compete again in the future?
I have recently decided to move up from bikini and compete in figure. My plan is to compete in The Lackland Classic in November of 2010. It will be a challenge, but I am excited about it.
(WP): What other sports or activities did or do you enjoy?
I have joined a local running club called the Road Lizards. Through the Lizards, I have raced in numerous 5k, 10k, half marathons, and triathlons. The triathlons have become my new favorite sport. I have competed in a sprint triathlon, Olympic distance triathlon and eventually I would love to compete in a half iron man.
(WP): Tell me about your family. In addition, are you married, single, or dating?
I am very close to my family. For the most part, we all live in the same town so we get to see each other quite often. Holidays are fun; I have several nieces and nephews that are so much fun. I do have a boyfriend who I met in the gym. Normally, I would say dating and the gym do not mix, but we became friends before we started dating. He and my family are amazing and support my crazy workouts and diets.
(WP): What has competitions taught you thus far?
I have realized that if you want to succeed in this sport you have to be committed. There are many people who have natural ability but no commitment, and the judges can tell who has put in their fair share of hours in the gym.
(WP): What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?
I guess I didn’t realize how anti-social training season can make you. Working a full time job and working out for hours a day can really be draining. There have been times when I wonder why I am torturing myself, but in the end I am always glad I stuck with it. I have to keep reminding myself of that on the days when I feel like I just want to give it all up.
(WP): What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
Dieting in the summer is probably the most difficult time to diet. I love being outside and on the lake, and I love bbqing at the lake even more. It takes a lot of self discipline to smell the bbq cooking and not cave in and eat it.
(WP): What are the key factors that dictate the way you train today?
When I want to train for a show, I have to set goals. If I want to put on a lot of muscle, I need to have a reason for doing so. I like to sign up for a competition so I can see on my calendar that I have a deadline to meet. I love lifting weights and working out normally, but training for a show, is a whole different game!
(WP): How has your training changed over the years?
Before my first competition, I liked to run long distances and I rarely lifted weights. Now, I may run short sprints twice a week and I lift weights at least five days a week. I have come to favor a more toned physique rather than my skinny frame.
(WP): What titles/accomplishments have you thus far? Tell me about them.
Although I am very proud of my accomplishments in the NPC, my favored accomplishment is finishing the Austin Marathon. You have to be mentally and physically tough to run a marathon, it is a true test of what you’re made of!
(WP): Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?
I know I will never live a sedentary lifestyle. I will lift weights and run races for as long as I am physically able. As for my career, I love my job as a legal assistant. I am lucky to have a job that I enjoy.
(WP): Are you doing any modeling? If so, please tell me about it.
I have modeled, but very little. I really like doing photo shoots right after or before a show. I feel like that’s when I look my best.
(WP): Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?
I have worked with Jimmy Zafra, David Ling, Lisa Brewer and Becca Maberry. Each photographer had their own unique style, so I have a very diverse portfolio. I am always open to new photographers and new ideas, I have really enjoyed working with each photographer and I have really loved how my pictures have turned out. They are all great photographers!
(WP): What supplements do you currently take?
Now that I have started training for a figure competition, I have added a few supplements to my regimen. When training for bikini competitions, I wanted to look toned, so I would only use Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein and fat burners before I worked out for energy. Now, my pre-workout drink consists of, Jack3d and a couple of fat burners 30 minute prior to working out, I mix Optimum Nutrition Powder BCAA to Size-on and sip it throughout my workout, in the morning and after my workout I drink the protein.
(WP): What are your pet peeves?
Socializing in the gym during my training season. Normally, I don’t mind helping people out in the gym or catching up with friends I haven’t seen in a while (to an extent), but when I am training for a competition, I am there on a mission. The last couple of weeks before a competition are tough and it’s difficult to maintain motivation. To get through those weeks, I need to focus and get my workout done without any distractions.
(WP): What do you consider to be important in life, and why?
Church and family are the two most important things in life. You can win competitions and lose races, but my family will always be there for me, win or lose.
(WP): How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?
I wouldn’t say I’ve made any drastic changes over the last few years. Obviously as we grow older our priorities change, I’ve never been a bar fly, but now I rarely step foot into a bar at all. I work so hard in the gym, I feel like drinking and staying up late is counterproductive to my goals.
(WP): What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?
When I am not training, I am 5’5 and I weigh 135 lbs. When I am on stage at a show, I am 5’9 and 128 lbs.
(WP): Any shout outs?
Always first shout out goes to God, for giving me the ability to do what I do. A shout out to my parents, siblings and my boyfriend, Chance, for always cheering me on, and all my photographers (Jimmy, David, Lisa and Becca) for giving me the opportunity to document what I have worked so hard for.
(WP): Give me an example of your workout.
I work out Monday - Saturday, I always start off with 10 minutes of high intensity cardio. Each day I work out a different body part, i.e. Monday is legs, Tuesday is arms, Wednesday is shoulders, etc. Legs I like to work out the hardest, and it is usually my longest workout. Other body parts I like to do 6 different exercises doing 3 sets of 12 increasing my weight with each set. I only do cardio about 2-3 times a week for 20 minutes.
(WP): Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?
Every morning I eat half a cup of oatmeal with soy milk, at 10:00 am I drink a protein shake, noon is a sandwich or grilled chicken, 3:00 I eat a yogurt and a handful of almonds or wheat crackers and a packet of tuna. After my workout, about 7:00 I have another protein shake, then I’ll eat dinner, which is usually grilled chicken and a green vegetable.
(WP): Could you tell me about your future projects?
I am currently training for a figure competition, which I am very excited about. I like to see how far I can push my body. I have already raced in a sprint triathlon and an Olympic distance triathlon; next summer it is my goal to finish a half iron man.
(WP): It has been a pleasure interviewing you! I wish you all the best of luck!
Thank you so much for the interview! I look forward to reading it and reading others for inspiration and workout tips!
