Heather Hirmer
Ms. World Physique - August 2011
Interviewed by: Tammy R.
Growing up with not a lot of money and a single parent, Heather Himer learned very fast that everything she wanted in life, she had to work very hard to get because no one is going to do it for you; there are no hand outs. If she wanted something bad enough, she knew there were no excuses. She realized this and became very competitive with herself. "I knew I wanted to achieve every goal in life and live life to the fullest so I would be able to prove to all the people that ever looked down upon me and didn't support or believe in me that I could do it! I also wanted to be able to council or volunteer to help teenagers or people that had struggled with emotional abuse or drugs and alcohol. I wanted to let them know not to believe everything people say or what you hear, everyone is going to have their own opinions. Go with your own gut feeling and believe in yourself; be yourself! If I would have listened or believed those people that put me down, I would never be where I am today. Just run with it! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger", stated Heather.
This exact attitude is what helped her win Bikini Overall at the Bikini America competition and what helped her win our Ms. World Physique contest. Put your mind to it and just about anything is possible!
"... The Lord Jesus Christ! I put all my trust in him and ask him everyday how I can serve him and I just know everything will be ok."
WP: Let's begin with you telling us a little about yourself.
My name is Heather Hirmer. I began my training as a way to challenge myself to take my mind and body to the next level. My desire to succeed, coupled with my passion for living a healthy lifestyle has helped me believe I can achieve anything if I put your mind to it. I understand that by helping others do the same, things will come back to you in return. That is why I began image consulting and training to help others find the confidence they need to get ahead. What goes around comes back around.
My true passion in life is to achieve all the things people said I could never do. I understand that life is way too short to not to give your dreams a chance! I believe in the value of nutrition and working hard and I believe in what does not kill you makes you stronger! Never giving up!
Training and competing in the fitness world has given me a way to express my true strength and confidence to the fullest! My goal is to make an impact on the fitness industry. I am very open minded, I will not judge you, and I will find every good quality in you! I am very optimistic and love looking for the good in everything! I am also very determined to achieve all my goals in life!
WP: What made you decide to go into fitness?
I have always looked up to the girls on ESPN and in fitness magazines and I told myself when I was younger, I want to be like those girls someday. So, I started studying the sport and googling everything about dieting and learned. I became extremely passionate about it.
WP: What are your favorite exercises and why?
I love jumping rope. It is so much fun and you really work your entire body!
I also enjoy Circuit training workouts, where you are really able to work everything and get your heart rate up; combining things like; shoulder presses, squats, hanging leg raises, it is not easy but you can really feel the burn and see fast results.
WP: You compete. Can you tell me more about your history in it?
Yes, I do! In 2010, I won the overall in Bikini at the NPC North Star in MN. I recently won the Overall in Bikini at the 2011 Great North, Bikini America Muscle Mania show. I also competed in 2011 NPC Jr. Nationals and placed in top 15.
WP: Are you planning to compete in the future?
For sure! I love being able to take my body to the next level; learning from my mistakes from previous shows. Competing is fun! I meet so many beautiful people and I learn so much. I love the challenge. I plan on competing after November; not sure what show yet, but I do plan on doing the Arnold Amateur next year.
WP: Do you have any advice to people that wishing to enter this industry as a competitor?
Just have fun and smile! Be yourself and learn! Become like a sponge. Be passionate about what it is you want to achieve, enjoy the opportunity, and believe in yourself. Remember, it is a choice and a lifestyle change; take it one day at a time, do not make excuses, be accountable and you will reap the rewards.
WP: What do you eat in a normal day?
A.M.: Oatmeal with raisins and flax, 1/2 scoop protein, tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt
Mid A.M.: Rice cake with peanut butter or a protein shake
Lunch: Tuna or chicken breast with veggies
Midday: Veggies and Hummus or apple
Dinner: Chicken or lean turkey burger, veggies, 1/2 sweet potato or brown rice
After dinner snack: Chocolate protein shake or protein pudding or Arctic Ice yum!
I try to focus on just fueling my body, not necessarily about how good something is. I really listen to what my body is telling me. If I am hungry, I eat and not go overboard. I try to eat 6 small meals a day. I also try not to eat two hours before bed. And I drink lots and lots of water.
WP: Give me a sample of your workout.
Monday
Shoulders/Abs and 45 minutes cardio
Tuesday
Legs/back and 30 minutes of HITT
Wednesday
Abs/ 25 minutes jump rope, circuit with 4 different ab exercises
Thursday
Circuit train for 30 minutes, all body parts from jump squats to hanging leg raises to box jumps
Friday
Stairmaster for 30 minutes and abs
Saturday
Read my body, if I am tired I rest. If not, I do 30 minutes cardio and abs or hit the pads and box a little with Josh
Sunday
Yoga for 20 minutes and cardio
WP: Do you allow yourself a cheat day?
It just depends on how close I am to a show or a shoot. If I am 8 weeks out, I look at my body and see what it looks and feels like; if I train heavy legs one day and do a lot of cardio and feel like my weight and physique look, ok then, I will have a cheat meal. But, I don't go to over board. I do not feel like I really have to cheat. I substitute a lot of things. If I want brownies, I just make my black bean brownies featured on my website. Or if I want ice cream, I have Arctic Ice. There is always modification in making something healthy, no matter what food it is. But if I am going to go all out, it is chips and queso, Mexican or Thai food, soft chewy cookies and Dairy Queen Blizzards. Yummy!
WP: What supplements do you take?
I love Octane Vitamin Energy Drink. You can purchase this on my website. It is by far the best supplement I have ever taken. I also take Moomiyo Russian herb for recovery, fish oil, protein, Glutamine, multi-vitamin, calcium, and vitamin D.
WP: Do you have anyone you can thank for helping you get where you are?
The Lord Jesus Christ! I put all my trust in him and ask him everyday how I can serve him and I just know everything will be ok.
WP: Where do you want to be in 5 years?
In 5 years, I see me married with kids and having our own gym, where we can help people achieve their overall mind and body health.
WP: Tell me about your future projects. Have any in sight?
Yes, I plan on writing some health and exercise articles for a couple different magazines. Also, work on my blogging for my website.
WP: Tell me about your boyfriend Josh ?
He is an amazing person. He is so supportive and wants the best for me and he helps me with training and diet. We help each other; we are a great team and make fitness fun. He is truly my best friend. Fortunately, Josh knows the game as a pro athlete in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He knows what it is like to train hard! We are able to push each other when times get tough. I am lucky to have him.
WP: Who had the most impact on you growing up?
Probably, my mom has made the most impact on me. She had to work her butt off to support my brother and me. She made me realize you can never depend on anyone else; it is only you that can make your dreams come true.
Then towards the end of my adolescent years, my grandmother and grandfather got Cancer within 2 years apart. My mom turned to drugs and alcohol to solve her issues; therefore I had to do a lot of things on my own. It made me really appreciate life and what it has to offer. She is now recovered and has overcome those obstacles. But, life has not always been so easy. I never regret the past because it has made me who I am. I do not want people to feel sorry for that factor; it has only made me extremely strong and I am able to mentor other people in similar situations and teach them their past is their past, and that you can do anything if you do not make excuses and put your mind to it.
WP: Any shout outs?
Shout out to all of my sponsors; Pro Sport Nutrition, Octane, Darque Tan, Innovative Direction In Health, and Cabin Fever Sporting Goods. Also, to my boyfriend, Josh Janousek, and to all of my beautiful family and friends!
WP: What is a couple proud moments in your life?
Starting my own business as a hair stylist and image consultant and winning Bikini Overall at Bikini America.
WP: Where do you want your modeling to take you in the future?
I want to be able to make a huge impact in the health, beauty and fitness industry. I would love to be able to get out there and help people. Writing articles, I believe will do that. A goal on my vision board has been to be on a cover of a magazine. It will happen; I am determined!
WP: What plays on your iPod?
I use Pandora; I just type in any song I want and a whole radio station appears with all different kinds of music. I love it! I like upbeat music like Edward Mya, Vika jigulana, Cascada, Kid rock, Tiesto, Morgan Page, Chevelle, Maroon 5, Fleetwood Mac, Alison Krauss, Hank Williams Jr., Tim McGraw, and Dierks Bentley.
WP: What are your interests outside of this industry?
I love mentoring and helping people achieve their goals in life. I also like hunting, archery, fishing, cooking, reading, church, and family.
WP: Is there anything else you would like to add? Now is the time!
I just want to say thank you everyone that has supported and believed in me! Also, if you have any questions feel free to email me on www.heatherhirmer.com.
WP: You have been a pleasure to interview! Thank you for your time and good luck in your future business endeavors!
Thank you for the opportunity to be Ms. World Physique.
