FigureRX Spotlight Interview - Laura Pine
FigureRX Online Magazine Volume 4
We assume these days that if you venture off the Las Vegas strip, and away from the pot-bellied tourists at the all-you-can-eat buffets, that you'll run into a very in-shape populace. That has to be the case, right, with all of these incredible trainers? There's Danny J, Jessica N, Lisa M, Jennifer K .... and many others we're sure. Now we can add NPC figure competitor Laura Pine to that list of experts (and top competitors) in the oasis.
Laura is relatively new to the sport, but she's already put together a muscular, streamlined, and symmetrical physique of the type that they are looking for at the national level these days. Her legs are outstanding and she has genetically tiny joints. Based on the visible improvements that she made between the NPC Ironman and the NPC San Diego, as well as her determination to excel under the tutelage of IFBB Pro Lisa Maloy, we believe that Laura is headed for a lot of success at the national level and we have selected her to be the FigureRX spotlight athlete at the NPC Max Muscle Naturals in Anaheim.
Laura's Fast Facts:
Name – Laura Pine
Height – 5'5â€
Weight – 120 lbs contest/ 128 lbs off season
Birthday – January 19, 1973
Home town – Kalama, Washington (now in Las Vegas for past two years)
Hair / Eyes – Blonde / Blue
Favorite music – Rock and alternative
Favorite diet food – cream of rice with chocolate protein powder, and canned pumpkin with splenda and pumpkin pie spice .... yum!
Favorite cheat food – Claim Jumper Chocolate Mother Lode cake ... heaven!
Current occupation – Personal trainer and fitness instructor, mother to three children (Joshua 10, Kennedy 9, and Tatum 6)
Athletic background – Female collegiate wrestler at Central Washington University; ran in the Honolulu Marathon, placing top 5% in my age group; love the outdoors, hiking and running.
Latest news – After the Max Muscle I will be competing in the Emerald Cup and then on to nationals .....
Web site – http://www.SinCityPhysiques.com
Please tell us a little bit about your background, such as where you grew up, your family, other athletics, when you began weight training, and how you became interested in competing.
I am from Kalama, Washington … it's a small town in the south western part of the State. I have four sisters ... and a younger sister who passed away at age six when I was 14. I played volleyball and ran track. My father is a Kodiak Island Alaskan salmon fisherman, so as a familty we spent most of our summers in a small fishing village on Kodiak Island. I started working summers at age 15 … and continued through college! It taught me a strong work ethic, and sacrifice ... in the case of not hanging out with friends during the summers! I spent a year as an exchange student in Switzerland, returned home to graduate high school; I then spent two years attending Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, then transferred to Central Washington University. I wrestled in college under my “future husbandâ€... he was the head coach! Scandalous!
I have always dabbled in weight training, but when I began teaching fitness classes about ten years ago I became much more consistent. My physique is naturally muscular, and I found that I could appreciate my body more and feel good about myself. Because I am genetically somewhat muscular, I felt self conscious when I was younger because I wasn't smaller. I accepted my body when I learned to appreciate what I have. Five years ago I became certified in Body Pump, a weight training class format for group fitness. My body changed and I knew I was strong ... and my classes were filled with participants who saw me as a strong role model who pushed them to work harder. I met (IFBB Pro) Lisa Maloy as I was mentoring a group going throught their initial Body Pump training. I was working with Lisa and she asked if I had ever thought about doing a figure contest … I said, 'not really…I don't have the time.' Then a few days later I changed my mind!
After my decision, my first show was approximately twelve weeks out. I took 3rd at the NPC Las Vegas Classic, which qualified me for nationals in my first show.
I have been in the fitness industry for nearly 10 years, teaching classes at first. I worked as a Health Educator for a while, but gave up the position to be in fitness, my passion, on a full time basis. I worked as a trainer and as an adjunct professor of Physical Education at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington.
My goals are to continue doing figure and take it to nationals this year. I plan to explore my opportunities that I find along this incredible voyage, and enjoy every minute! Well, then there's the part about dieting.
Life has taught me many valuable lessons and I appreciate my life every single day. Experiences, good and bad, have made me who I am today, and I am happy and very blessed!
What is your academic and professional background? What is your current occupation and how long have you been doing it?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education and a B.A. German, both from Central Washington University where I graduated in 1998. I worked as a Health Educator at Grays Harbor County Health Dept for a while, and after I switched over to fitness full time I taught weight training and various physical education classes at the collge level. At the same time, I taught group fitness and worked as a personal trainer. I moved to Las Vegas two years ago and began working immediately as a personal trainer and class instructor at Las Vegas Athletic Club.
What is your training philosophy (heavy or light, cardio, lifting)? Any particular body parts that you consider to be strengths, or weaknesses?
Combination is the key for me. I teach 3 weight training classes a week (some cardio involved), a step aerobics class, abs and kickboxing and yoga too! I weight train an extra body part heavy each day of the week. I rest completely one day. I don't do any more cardio than my classes. My strengths have changed! It used to be my big ol' quads! My hams and glutes were my weakness. I worked on them! I had no butt! What I have now has come with a concentrated effort. My overall physique I think is my strength, I am able to put on muscle and lean out quickly. I am adaptable!
Is there anything in particular that you have been focused on since the Excalibur? We were very impressed with your improvements at the NPC San Diego.
Shoulders ... and glutes! Gotta have those bunbuns!
Where do you find the best training and diet advice? Where do you work out and who do you work out with? Is there anyone in particular who you would like to thank, such as a sponsor, significant other, etc? Anything that we can help you to promote?
Diet comes from my friend and figure coach, Lisa Maloy. She is experienced and I trust her eye for details. I work out at Las Vegas Athletic Club here in Las Vegas. I work out with Lisa, another trainer and friend, Ludovic Curtet, and often all by my lonesome! I would like to thank Lisa for her dedication and strong coaching skills to get me my placings at the top in my shows so far. We are a great team. She tells it to me straight and gives me the confidence to be stage ready. Ludovic has pushed me through some humbling workouts, and he has been an instrumental part of my training. I have to thank (and apologize!) to my husband for supporting me, encouraging me, cheering me on, and putting up with the moodiness at times! Thank You Kevin! Am I really THAT bad?
Do you have any plans to compete nationally this year? What are your near term goals?
I do plan to compete at the national level, and I will be working to prepare for that level of competition. My goals are to keep placing consistently and ... wouldn't it be nice to earn my pro card! Mostly, I am improving my body and appreciating it every day. I have the ability and success is my choice, and I remind myself of this. I am enjoying the sport ... and meeting some really awesome people.
Do you have any role models in fitness / figure?
I read Oxygen regularly and examine all the bodies! My role models are the gals who have worked hard and sacrificed, with their families behind them and backing them.
Thanks Laura!!