Where and when were you born? I was born in Belgrade,Serbia, on March 30th What is your profession? I work as a personal trainer and masseur. Soon I will be a certified make-up artist. Were you involved in sports or fitness prior to bodybuilding/figure and how did you get started with weight training? I was involved in martial arts. In fact I was the first woman kick-boxer in Serbia. I did this proffesionally for 8 years before moving to Greece. When I moved to Greece I was not able to continue with kick-boxing. My ex husband who was into weightlift help me start training. Soon I fell in love with BB. 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? No, I was not planning to compete. In fact I didn't even know that figure competition existed. But I had the competition virus since the days of kick-boxing, so it was a natural thing for me to train for competition. I did my first show nine months later. Can you give me your competition history? 1999 = NABBA Balkan Championships / 4th place 1999 = NABBA International Cup Thessaloniki / 2nd place 2000 = NABBA Greek Nationals / 1st place 2000 = NABBA N.Greece Cup / 1st place 2000 = NABBA Grand Prix Skopjia / 2nd place 2000 = NABBA Greek Cup / 1st place 2000 = NABBA Balkan Championships / 1st place 2001 = IFBB Mediterian Cup / 4th place 2001 = IFBB Greek Nationals / 1st place 2001 = IFBB Greek Cup / 1st place 2001 = NABBA N.Greece Cup / 2nd place 2001 = NABBA Akropolis Cup / 2nd place 2001 = NABBA Int. Grand Prix Crete / 1st place 2001 = NABBA Miss Universe, France / 4th place 2002 = NABBA Greek Cup / 3rd place 2002 = NABBA German Champ. Germany, Figure / 2nd place 2002 = NABBA Miss Universe, Germany, cat. Athletic / 6th place 2003 = NABBA Int. Grand Prix Crete / 1st place 2003 = NABBA 2nd Free Open Champ. Thessaloniki / 1st place 2003 = NABBA Greek Nationals / 3rd place 2005 = NABBA Int. Miss Hellas / 2nd place 2005 = NABBA Miss Peloponnisos / 1st place 2005 = NABBA World Championships, Greece, Figure / 3rd place 2005 = NABBA Miss Universe, Germany, Figure / 2nd place Which contest has been your biggest success; which has had the most meaning to you? Biggest success was my last international show 2005 NABBA Miss Universe, Germany, Figure / 2nd place. My most memorable was 2001 IFBB Mediterian Cup / 4th place. I came to that show unaware that it was required to perform a dynamic routine. I had to invent a gymnastic IFFB type routine in the four hours between the prejudge and the night finals. I did it and managed to crack the top six. Please tell me something about your training routine (ie: how many days per week / training split /cardio, etc.) Offseason I train 3 days per week with heavy weights plus 3 cardio sessions either same or the next day of the weight training. I split between upper / lower body. For competition I train 7days per week with weights and 6 morning cardio sessions. I do one bodygroup per day. What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don't like so much? Favorite exersice is anything for biceps, abs or legs. I don't like training chest. Which body part is your best in your opinion? I think everthing is best :) My glutes are not bad either! What do you enjoy about training for competition....what do you enjoy about the 'off season'? I like preparing my dance / posing routine. I get to show my artistic side. Off season has got to be the food! Please describe a typical day in the life of Jelena Jaksic. Early wake up. Do cardio. Do the day's cooking. Do chores. Walk my little dog. Go to work. Hit the weights. More work. Go home. Please tell me about what you do when you don't work out (hobbies, what do you do to relax?, etc.) I enjoy a good movie, reading, and surfing the internet. I like walking and playing with my dog. What do you enjoy most about the bodybuilding/fitness lifestyle? This is an easy one. The beautiful, lean, fit and statuesque body that you get after all the training makes it worth while. Tell me something interesting about yourself, something people may be surprised to hear. I have an artistic background. I sing, I dance and lately I write a book. What are your competition goals or personal future goals? I would like to win the Ms Universe title and turn pro in the near future. Please note: Ann does not do sessions or wrestling of any kind. Please don't ask!! |