FigureRX Spotlight Interview - Ashley Dew
FigureRX Online Magazine Volume 5
The success of the NPC in certain parts of the country has a lot to do with personalities, and dedication by a few select people. We've long been impressed with the bodybuilding and figure scene in South Carolina, led by Tres Bennett and Shannon Meteraud, and as we approach the 2008 version of the NPC Junior USA's we're thrilled to have an opportunity to spotlight another great figure athlete from the Palmetto State.
Ashley Dew got us thinking about our days back in high school, and our fellow students who played in the orchestra or in the band, or who competed in athletics. Try as we might, we could not think of ever knowing anyone who combined her unique set of talents. But if you think about it, learning to play a musical instrument takes the same type of tremendous dedication and attention to detail that it takes to build and refine a physique that is ready to compete at the top in national figure, and ultimately to reach the IFBB.
And make no mistake, Ashley has the beauty, symmetry and talent to make it to the professional stage. She has surrounded herself with knowledgeable people who know how to succeed in the sport. We expect her to challenge for a class win at the prestigious NPC Pittsburgh, and to make a splash at the Junior USA's. And that's why she was the FigureRX spotlight athlete for the 2008 NPC Atlantic USA Figure Championships.
Ashley's Fast Facts:
Name – Ashley Dew
Height – 5'6â€
Weight – 137 lbs contest/ 150 lbs off season
Birthday – June 11, 1979
Home town – Charleston, South Carolina
Hair / Eyes – strawberry blonde / blue
Favorite music – pop and rock
Favorite diet food – protein pancakes
Favorite cheat food – Mexican food - or Outback
Current occupation – musician, full time student
Athletic background – gymnastics
Latest news – Competing at the NPC Pittsburgh and then the Junior USA's
Web sites – http://www.myspace.com/ashleyflute
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 was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina – the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned! My family consists of my parents – my best friends and my biggest fans – my younger sister and brother who have always been there for me and are always in the crowd at competitions. Growing up I was always athletic and loved sports and outdoor activities. I was a competitive gymnast through high school but also an aspiring musician – a flute player. I knew I would never have a career as a gymnast so I turned my focus to music and went to the University of Kansas as a music performance major. In college, I was always working out – running, some weight training (didn't really know what I was doing) and of course playing music. I graduated in 2001 and returned to Charleston. There I began to sub with the Charleston Symphony and started a very successful business as a freelance performer in the area. Now, I currently work for Music and Arts Center as an Educational Representative – dealing with the school music side of the music business and I am in school to become a pharmacist.
So….how did I become a figure competitor you ask? I had many friends that competed in bodybuilding, so I would tag along to the shows. At that time figure had just become a division in the NPC, and I would always sit in the audience admiring the beautiful suits and all the hard bodies. So, being the ultimate type A personality and taking on yet another challenge along with school and work, I began weight training in hopes of one day competing.
In 2007 I competed in my first show, the Palmetto Cup – a local state show. Then I went on to become that SC state figure champion! Now, I balance a full time job, being a full time student, performing as a freelance musician and being a figure competitor all in this busy, crazy life I lead in hopes of earning my pro card in figure!
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What is your training philosophy (heavy or light, cardio, lifting)? Any particular body parts that you consider to be strengths, or weaknesses? What has been your focus since last season, and before your next show in Pittsburgh?
My training philosophy has been to always lift heavy enough to challenge the muscle but also try and get 12 to 15 reps per set. If I get to 10 and it's not hard – it's not heavy enough. Of course this is just an overall philosophy but my workouts are never the same and I always try to switch it up to not get bored or burned out. I do lots of cardio in contest prep – as most figure competitors do – it keeps me looking conditioned and it is the only way to get my lower body to come in. I also add in bleacher and track workouts to my workout schedule.
My focus this season is to bring my lower body in better and tighter. This is definitely my weakness. I consider it to be the main focus of my training – I have to really work my lower body to bring it into shape. My strengths are definitely my midsection (abs) and my back. I never really trained my back a lot, but have a naturally wide muscular back. This season I have trained it a lot more to try and put some thickness on it.
We noticed that you plan to compete fairly often in close proximity. What are the challenges that you face in preparing for multiple shows that are roughly 2-8 weeks apart?
The Atlantic USA Show in Atlanta was my first show this season to prepare for Pittsburgh and Junior USA's. I was not in top shape for that show but the main goal was to get in front of judges that would see me later in the season. They provided me with feedback on ways to improve, pose, etc. The challenges of course with doing shows in close proximity are traveling and dieting but I didn't change my diet at all for the Atlantic. It was just a trial run and warm up to the bigger shows. The main goal is Junior USA's and all training and dieting is centered around this show.
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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?
I work out at Gold's Gym and also Tres' Gym in Charleston, SC. I train with IFBB Figure Pro Shannon Meteraud at her home gym (Tres Gym) during the week and Gold's normally for cardio and weekend training, if any. Ashlynn Evans and Melissa Griffin also train with me – we are all figure competitors and all feed off each other during workouts and cardio. It is nice to have other girls around when preparing for shows. That being said – Shannon and her husband Tres Bennett are a great help with training and diet advice.
Andy Harnsberger, a nutritionist and my best friend, helped me get in shape for the 2007 season and helped me to become South Carolina State Champion. His support, understanding and guidance helped me to become the competitor I am today. I am not the easiest person to diet – so his patience and love are admirable!!!
I would like to thank Tres Bennett and Shannon Meteraud – for their constant motivation and support, Ashlynn Evans – my “roomie†and friend and training partner, Melissa Griffin, for her positive attitude and always being there when I need her, Andy Harnsberger, for believing in me from DAY 1 of this journey and also Marie Ann Newman – a fellow competitor who is always a phone call away and has taught me that competitors should all be friends and mentors to others in this sport.
Do you have any role models in fitness / figure?
I train alongside IFBB pro Shannon Meteraud – she has two small children and still finds time to diet, compete and be a great mother! Definitely a GREAT role model to not only figure competitors, but also mothers. I also train with IFBB pro Melissa Griffin – she along with Shannon have always been there for me when I needed help with my tan, suit etc. but also when I needed motivation or advice. They have been great!
I also consider Jenny Lynn one of my role models.
Thank you Ashley!
Photo Credits: Patten Dew Photography
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