Q: First, Brandy, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.
Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.
A: My name is Brandy Anderson, I was born in Temple, Tx and then raised as an Army brat moving from here to there. My dad settled in North Pole, AK and that is where I have chosen to stay. I am a single mom of a 15 year old son and 9 year old twin girls. I am a rescue specialist/system's operator for a helicopter SAR program and I volunteer as a firefighter and EMT.
Q: Before the gym were you an especially athletic person? Play any sports or anything?
A: I wasn't especially athletic, I would play sports with friends, but nothing like on a dedicated, committed team. I also did some hiking and outdoor activities, but nothing really challenging.
Q: What initially led you into the gym?
A: Two years ago, when I left bar tending and decided to join the fire service, I found my calling. This is what led me to the gym, I was 120 pounds and needed to be able to rescue people. So I started off with at home DVD's (like p90x, Insanity, etc). Then I stumbled upon a bodybuilding competition, after seeing all of the competitors, I decided that bodybuilding is what I wanted and needed to do.
Q: Was training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you started to see results?
A: Once I got in the gym and started lifting, I began to see results in my strength and my physique almost instantly.
Q: What made you decide to compete for the first time?
A: After having seen my first show and having trained, I decided the next step was to compete. It was actually what my end goal was when I had started training.
Q: Is competing something your family and friends supported?
A: I had a lot of support from my friends, my family wasn't exactly sure what it was that I wanted to do or why I felt this need to get up in a suit in front of all those people. Once they watched the first show that I competed in, it all came together for them and they then understood and fully supported me on top of being extremely proud of what I had accomplished.
Q: Was competing what you expected or did anything surprise you about it?
A: It was not what I had expected at all, besides the nervous part. I had never thought that there would be that much camaraderie between all of the competitors that were competing against each other and me. Everyone was so supportive and positive.
Q: Can you share your contest history.
A:
* 2010 Crystal Cup - 2nd Place Women's Masters Bodybuilding
* 2011 Heart of Alaska - 2nd Place Women's Open Bodybuilding
Q: As far as body parts, what do you feel is your best one?
A: My glutes and thighs. I am able to build my quads up and they cut very nicely.
Q: Do you have a part you most like to train?
A: I love to work Quads, glutes and calves. I don't say legs entirely, because hammy's are just really not part of my favorite muscle group to work.
Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?
A: I normally lift weights 5 days a week and do cardo 5 days/week for 30 minutes. During this time, I train a different muscle group each day and normally only hit each group once a week. My diet is lots of meals at certain times of the day, to ensure that I am getting enough carbs, proteins and fats at the right times. During contest prep, I am still lifting 5 days a week, but I up my cardio to 7 days/week for 1.5 hours, with half of that being fasted cardio and the other half after my weight training. My diet, then changes rapidly every week to ensure that I am cutting and getting stage ready.
Q: When someone sees your physique or hears you compete for the first time, what is the most common reaction. More positive or negative?
A: I would say that it is usually more positive and that there aren't to many people that have negative comments. I hear a lot of questions like, "how long do you spend in the gym? Why would you want to spend that much time in the gym? How can you eat the same thing all the time? and questions along those lines, but most of the comments are positive.
Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?
A: I guess it would be, "Why would you want to spend that much time in the gym?"
Q: What is the biggest misconception about women who train and compete or the one thing you wish people understood?
A: How much work truly goes into contest prep and keeping your body fit and in shape all year round. Also, that just because a female is in the gym pushing weights, that they aren't going to grow big and bulky like a man, women's body's are just not designed that way.
Q: What is the best and worst part of training for you?
A: The best part is achieving new personal records all the time and the worst part is the diet, I have a bit of a sweet tooth and so giving up chocolate and gummy bears is the hardest part.
Q: Do you have any favorite competitors or any you admire?
A: Shawn Wolfe, he has recently become my trainer and competes as an all natural bodybuilder. He is just an all around humble guy, truly genuine and an amazing athlete.
Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: Nachos and Ice Cream
Q: If another woman told you she wanted to start training, what is the one piece of advice you would most want to give her?
A: To be prepared for a lot of hard work and self-discipline. Also, to believe that she could do anything and that there isn't anything a women is incapable of doing.
Q: Do you think its becoming more common for women to use the weights as opposed to just doing cardio and things?
A: Yes and No. I have seen a lot of women in the gym training with weights and I have heard from a lot of women that don't think women should be "making those faces" or "grunting" while they are lifting weights.
Q: Outside of training, any other hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I LOVE fishing! I also enjoy geocaching, hiking, bike riding, anything outdoors with my family. I really just like being active and having fun.
Q: Can you describe a typical day in the life of Brandy Anderson.
A: Off Season: Get up get the kids ready for school, make breakfast and then hit the gym. I usually like to get my workout in, maybe talk to a couple other gym regulars, tan and then head home for lunch, a dog walk and house work. Then the rest of my afternoon is kids and kids sports. Pre-Comp: Mostly the same, but I get up an hour earlier then normal and do fasted cardio on my bike trainer in my bedroom.
Q: Describe Brandy Anderson in five words.
A: Outgoing, Dedicated, Funny, Committed, Motivational
Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
A: That I really enjoy eating sweets and other junk food, and I force myself to eat all the healthy things I eat on a regular basis.
Q: Any set plans for the near future as far as competing or anything else?
A: Yes, I plan on competing in the 2012 ABFF March All Natural Bodybuilding competition - Women's Middleweight
Q: Anything you want to take this opportunity to plug or promote?
A: I would like to promote BAMFit, which is a fitness group that I am a part of. We can be found on Facebook as BamFit or on our website: bamfit.org
I would also like to promote wolfe 4 life training and nutrition. He can be found on Facebook at wolfe4lifetrainingandnutrition
Q: Are you looking for sponsors? If so how can they reach you and what are they getting in Brandy Anderson the athlete and competitor?
A: Yes I am looking for sponsors. They can contact me at bamfit.brandy@gmail.com I am an all natural, hard-working, motivated and dedicated athlete that would do my best to only achieve the best for myself and for their company.
Q: Brandy, again, I thank you for taking the time to do this. Any last words before you go?
A: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to tell you a little about myself and interviewing me. It is a pleasure and I love what you are doing for women athletes.
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