Interview With Leigh Hickombottom
Featured Competitor - 2009
Interviewed by Manny
WP: Hi Leigh, how are you?
LH: I am doing FabLEIGHous as usual and excited about 2009 and what's to come.
WP: Let's start off by getting some short questions about you.
LH: Let's go!
WP: Where are you from?
LH: Origanally, I'm from Natchez ,MS. However, I was raised in Texas.
WP: How tall are you?
LH: 5'3".
WP: How long have you been in the industry?
LH: I have been in the fitness industry for about 4 years now.
WP: And how did you get into it?
LH: I got here from being at the right place at the right time. I started by working for Nutrex research as the spokesmodel for the original Lipo 6 fat burner and was used in their ads, as well as website, under, "Ask the Pros".
WP: Do you remember the very first time you touched a weight? Ha-ha.
LH: Actually I do! My dad used to have dumbells and trained in the house when I was about 4 yearrs old. As you see this runs in the family! Ha-ha.
WP: What were you like before you started into the Bodybuilding/fitness world?
LH: Exactly the same as I am now. (Smiles) I was still as playful and committed to my healthy lifestyle as I am now. If there is any difference, it is the amount of time and days spent in the gym.
WP: I've spoken to a few people about you. They seem to think you were a cheer leader. Ha-ha! Were they wrong or right? Ha-ha.
LH: HAHAHAAAAAA Cheerleader! That's cute! Try athlete!!! But, I did hang out with a lot of cheerleaders.
WP: When was your first competition?
LH: First competition?? I have never competed and will not. I love the sport, industry and support all of the people who do compete. My Love is for the camera and I have not felt a need to compete in order to get into magazines.
WP: OK, a question I know you've heard before. Do you see the fitness shows changing in the near future?
LH: I think fitness shows are always changing. That is from where I am in the crowd. I hope it continues to change and some how brings back the 'old school symetry' and beauty of the muscles that I saw as a child growing up and admired so.
WP: And what do you think of the routines now-a-days?
LH: If I think about trying to do some of those things, my back hurts! Ha-ha!
WP: When you get ready for a photo shoot, how do you prepare?
LH: Preparing for a photoshoot differs depending on my goal. I fluctuate 5 pounds up or down for pictures from my normal weight.
When I'm trying to add a little bit of muscle, I have more carbs than I would if I were trying to lean down. I also train heavier and have more resistance workouts with less cardio when gaining. I train 5 days a week unless I am trying to lean up. With that, I train 6 days a week with more protien than carbs and 2 days out of the 6 days I train, I am doing double cardio sessions. Usually the amount of muscle that I want on my body is already up to par so, I weight train 3 days and cardio 5 of the 6 days.
WP: Do you go to most shows and xpos?
LH: I usually show up for 2 shows a year, which are The Arnolds and the Olympia.
WP: Are you sponsored by anybody?
LH: My contract with Nutrex ended November 2008. So, I'm looking for a Sponsor.
WP: When working out, who or what are you listening to?
LH: When I am doing cardio, I listen to electronica or techno (very upbeat). When I am hitting the weights, It's all rap. I love it! The rap that I listen to keeps me pumped and focused during my sets.
WP: When it comes to food, which ones are your vices?
LH: The biggest vice for me is peanut butter, ice cream with carmel, and anything with peanut butter really. Ha-ha! I just made myself a PB pancake. Awesome!
WP: OK, tell us a little something about the: Logistics of Leanness.
LH: That's my baby! This, for me, is how I achieve my goals with weight management. The biggest component for me is mind power and the Law of Attraction, along with the obvious exercise and diet. I was inspired to write this because of women who contacted me all of the time asking how I acheived getting back to pre-pregnancy weight after 2 kids and still maintain it.
For almost 12 years minus pregnancy, I have not failed at getting my body to look different ways as you can tell in my pictures. I wanted to share these tools with everyone so that they had access to achieving their desired body weight and look.
WP: How long have you been writing?
LH: I have been writting since High School; so for years. I started with poems and lost interest. When I worked with Nutrex, I had to write a couple of articles for women and stayed in the groove.
WP: What got you into writing? was it a writer or writers? Or, did you know you always wanted to write?
LH: The people whom emailed me on a daily basis asking the same questions on my lifestyle.
WP: What magazines have you been in?
LH: I have been in Oxygen, Planet Muscle, Me, Muscular Development and soon to be Reps.
WP: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
LH: 5 years? Well, I finished writing Logistics of Leanness Defined (2nd booklet) and this year, I will actualty do private training for Logistics of Leanness Fitness. So, within the next 5, and Probably sooner, I see myself writing the 3rd and final part to Logistics of Leanness and having my own Gtudio or gym. I have procrastinated on my own clothing line but, that will be up and running as well. So, in 5 years, more success!! :0)
WP: Do have a face book?
LH: Yes, I do. However, I rarley go on. I actually have a message letting people know I spend more time on myspace and to find me there. Ha-ha!
WP: Any shout outs?
LH: Yes! To GOD, Family, Fans, and Bob Kennedy for giving me my first layout in 2006.
WP: Any last words or thoughts you would like to share?
LH: Sure. We must all realize each of our bodies are different. While we admire physical qualities of others, we should work on perfecting our body to the best of it's perfection. Love your body and be motivated by another's.
