World Physique

(WP): We are so happy to have you as our female spokes model! If you will, please tell our readers a little about yourself.

Thank you, Tammy! I am so honored! I am a 40 year old mother of a beautiful 7 year old daughter. I am the Director of Group Exercise and the Personal Training program at the Hills Health and Wellness Facility in Austin, TX. I have been NGA/ACE/ISSA certified personal trainer for 20 years now as well as being Spin, Mat Pilates, Kickboxing, and Group Exercise Certified. I love spending time with my daughter, Mackenzie, and riding our horse, Faith.

(WP): What has been your stepping stone to get where you are today?

My stepping stone to where I am today I would have to say was training for my first figure competition three years ago. Being a single mom for so many years, I had given up doing anything for myself, except walking and teaching classes for the first 4 ½ years of my daughter’s life. Deciding to compete was the best decision I ever made, as it gave me a definitive goal. I pushed myself extremely hard for six months, even though at times it was difficult and I wanted to give up. I am not a quitter though, and I put 150% into anything I tackle. I loved the progress and the results that I started seeing and started shooting with some local photographers just to capture the progress. I was proud of how I was able to look for my first competition. Over the next few years, I actually started enjoying being in front of the camera and the images I was able to capture. I started building my portfolio and expanding my work to include different photographers and add more variety to my work.

(WP): What has it been like to maintain your physique? Have you done anything different lately?

Honestly, as I have aged, it has gotten a lot harder! I have to use my time wisely, so my garage has turned into a home gym over the past few years. I am up at 4am almost every day doing cardio in my garage on either my treadmill, my Spin Bike, my rowing machine, or hitting my heavy bag. I lift weights 5 or 6 days a week when I take lunch during the work week or on the weekends. In the off-season, if there ever really is one for a model, I eat very healthy all week long, and allow myself one cheat day. Just this past month in getting ready for my July show, I changed my workouts up slightly. I have been hitting both Shoulders and Triceps and my back and biceps twice each week. One workout is heavy with only 6 to 8 reps per set, and the other day I go lighter (still to fatigue) with 15 to 20 reps per set.

(WP): Where do you reside now?

I am originally from Canton, Ohio, but, have lived in Austin, TX for the last 15 years.

(WP): Have you ever played any type of sports or activities?

I was a slow pitch All-Star Softball player throughout my junior high years. I still enjoy playing co-ed softball, volleyball, and love riding my horse.

(WP): Tell me about your family. In addition, I am sure a lot of people are wanting to know if you are married, single, or dating?

I am the youngest of four. I have two older brothers and an older sister, all of which reside in Ohio still along with my parents. I have nine nieces and nephews whom I miss greatly! My 7 year old daughter Mackenzie is my life and my only family here in Austin. I have been separated for the past 14 months.

(WP): You have done a lot of modeling. What has modeling taught you thus far?

Unfortunately, I would have to state a negative here, which I don’t like to do. There are many untrustworthy people in the modeling industry and people that like to promise you the moon, and then never deliver. You have to be very careful whom you work with and definitely check references!

(WP): What was the hardest thing for you to overcome when you first started?

Honestly, I wasn’t very comfortable in front of a camera when I first started doing shoots. But, as I expanded my horizons and worked with different photographers, I became much more comfortable, and now thoroughly enjoy it.

(WP): What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?

The hardest thing for me to deal with initially was eating on a schedule, and giving up my staple: natural peanut butter! Plus, it is hard to not want to snack when you have a child in your house.

(WP): How has your training compare to when you model to when you do not? What do you do differently?

As a model, you have to be “ON” all the time. You never know when you will be offered a job, so one must always be ready. Hence, my training does not vary during the year, only enough to where I keep my body guessing as to what is coming next, so that I continue to achieve results.

(WP): Where do you see your career and life in 10 years from now?

I hope that 10 years from now I am still active and have a career in the fitness industry as I do today. It has become my life. I hope to still be personal training and teaching classes, maybe in my own facility. If the opportunity becomes available, I would like to move back closer to my family in Ohio.

(WP): Can you tell me any photographers you’ve worked with, or someone you’d like to work with?

I have had the pleasure of working with many wonderful photographers in the past few years in many different states. I would love to have the opportunity to shoot with Mike Byerly, Walt Ostarly, and Michael Lee.

(WP): What supplements do you currently take?

I currently only take VPX Meltdown fat burner, and use Optimum Nutrition’s protein powder.

(WP): What are your pet peeves?

My biggest pet peeves are people that don’t follow through on things they promise and people that don’t practice what they preach. You cannot get by in this industry without being a good role model and leader.

(WP): What do you consider to be important in life, and why?

To me, the most important thing in life is being the best role model I can be for my daughter, and instilling in her values that will make her the best person she can be. I want her to realize how important leading a healthy lifestyle is, and I want her to be able to make smart decisions growing up. I want her to lead the best life she can!

(WP): How have you changed over the past few years when it comes to thinking, actions, and life in general?

Over the past few years, being so far away from family, and functioning as a single mother, I have become very independent. There is nothing I can’t tackle. Secondly, it has also hit me how important the little things are in life. Every smile one receives, every piece of knowledge we gain, and every interaction we have is a treasure. Finally, I try to learn something from every experience I encounter, whether good or bad. I figure that if I learn something, even from my bad experiences, than they were worth going thru it and a life lesson. I try to find something positive in everything.

(WP): What are your stats such as height, weight, biceps, and waist?

I’m 5'9.5"; 138 to 142 pounds; 36-27-36

(WP): Any shout outs?

I want to thank Jeff Kutscher of Flex Photos out of San Antonio for all the work we have created together, thank my parents for all of their support and influence in my life, and my daughter Mackenzie for putting up with me when I am dieting for competition. I want to thank her as well for being the one thing that brings me the most joy in life! I love you princess!

(WP): Give me an example of your workout.

Monday: Chest heavy 4 exercised 6 to 8 reps

Tuesday: Shoulders and tris Heavy -3 exercises; 6 to 8 reps; 3 sets plus one warm-up per exercise; 90 secs. between sets

Wednesday: Back and biceps heavy - same as above

Thursday: Quads, hams, calves; hi rep as my legs get big and muscular quickly

Friday or Sat: Shoulders and tris Light; 3 exercises; 4 sets - 1 warm up- 3 sets 15 to 20 reps. I do 60 seconds between sets.

I also teach 5 classes weekly (2 interval cardio sculpt; 2 spin; 1 glutes and abs class).

(WP): Give me an example of your diet. What do you normally eat each day?

Diet consists of Lean Sirloin; Chicken, Tuna, Egg whites, Protein Powder as a protein supplement. I used to eat a lot of Greek Yogurt until I became lactose intolerant this year). I also eat green beans, spinach, asparagus, and salad; apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and grapefruit. Complex carbs are Ezequiel Bread, oatmeal, cream of wheat, sweet potatoes, and brown rice.

I try to eat 150 to 175 grams of protein a day; I cycle my carbs 75 to 100 grams on low carb days and every fourth day add 50 grams, keep my fats under 20 grams.

(WP): Could you tell me about your future projects?

In the near future I will be doing an ad for Iron Disciples Clothing Line with Cain Cardiel, which will appear in numerous fitness magazines.

(WP): Thank you, Sheryl, for taking the time out for this interview. We are so excited. I can’t wait to get everything started!