Where and when were you born? I was born in Memphis, TN in March of 1974. What is your profession? I am a personal trainer at Jackson Sport & Fitness Club in Jackson, TN. Were you involved in sports or fitness prior to figure and how did you get started with weight training? I have never been an athlete. I hated to sweat and would rather be a couch potato than put forth any effort that caused pain! That is, until I approached my thirties. My body was changing, so I figured so would my lifestyle. Now I’m addicted to the ever changing body that is mine. And I love the fact that I can lift heavier weights than some of the men that come to my gym! Was it a goal for you to compete in figure competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body? I never thought about figure, until my first trainer mentioned it to me. After that, with the support of my first trainer, Wanda Moore, and her husband, Lance Moore (who is Wanda’s trainer as well as mine now), I train harder than ever. I want to become pro and I believe I can with their help. Can you give me your competition history? 2nd Place 2007 Vulcan Classic Figure Class B 2nd Place 2007 Southern Classic Figure Class C 16th Place 2008 Jr. USA Figure Class D Which contest has been your biggest success; which has had the most meaning to you? The Southern Classic was my best. There where 12 girls in my class, including me. For my 2nd show ever, I was very excited to place 2nd out of 12 girls. I didn’t think I was going to place that high at all. It also qualified me for Nationals if I choose to go that route next year. Please tell me something about your training routine (ie: how many days per week / training split /cardio, etc.) I workout 5-6 days a week, training one body part a day. In the off season, I do cardio 3-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes a day. During competition season, I do cardio 4-5 times a week, for 30 minutes a day. What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don’t like so much? I have two favorite exercises. I love standing side raises because I like to watch the muscles in my shoulders work, (I always had narrow, skinny shoulders).I constantly find myself disliking wide grip pull ups. Sometimes I feel like I’ll never get stronger at those! Which body part is your best in your opinion? My abs by far. If you don’t mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)? Chest: 38 in. Waist: 27 in. Hips: 36 in. Thighs: 58 ˝ in. Calves: 14 in. Biceps: 13 in. My best squat is 225 lb. @ 4 reps My best chest press is 180 lb. @ 4 reps My best behind the neck press is 135 lb. @ 4 reps What do you enjoy about training for competition....what do you enjoy about the 'off season'? While training for competition, I love watching my muscles cut out and I like being tiny. In the ‘off season, I love to eat and I like to see how strong I can get. Please describe a typical day in the life of Brandie Williams. I usually get up and go to work around 7 or 8 a.m. I train clients until 12. Then I take a few hours to eat and workout. Then I train clients again from 3 to 6 p.m. When I leave the gym, I go home cook dinner for my husband and I play on the computer for awhile, shower, and go to bed around 10. I’m like clockwork. My days are exactly the same Monday through Thursday. Friday I train for a few hours in the morning, workout, and then leave for the weekend to relax. Please tell me about what you do when you don’t work out ( hobbies, what do you do to relax?, etc.) You can usually find me on the computer. Otherwise, I veg out at home with my husband or run about town with my 16 year old son. We have an in ground pool so I spend LOTS of time in it! What do you enjoy most about the bodybuilding/fitness lifestyle? The feeling of confidence that it brings to me. Every time I see a new muscle develop on me, or lift a heavier weight than the week before, I believe in myself more and more. Tell me something interesting about yourself, something people may be surprised to hear. I was the ugly duckling through out my childhood. And because of that, I was shy and had a very low self esteem. People who know me now would laugh in my face if I told them that. What are your competition goals or personal future goals? I want to go pro. I also eventually want to open some sort of facility or hold camps and seminars for women who want to compete in figure competitions but don’t know where to begin. I have already trained one girl with the help of my trainer Lance, and she placed in both of her competitions in 2007. I am currently training a few others to compete in 2008. I am hoping this will continue to grow. Please note: Brandie does not do sessions or wrestling of any kind. Please don't ask!! |