FigureRX Class F Spotlight Interview - Valerie Richman
FigureRX Online Magazine Volume 3
February 23, 2008
To see the full Arnold Amateur Figure Class F event preview, please go
here.
Valerie Richman from Ontario has a figure skating and swimming background and trains with IFBB Pro
Nina Luchka. She and her husband are both elementary school teachers and they both had several impressive class and overall wins in their province last year. Valerie also placed 6th in a very tough figure tall class at the 2007 Canadian Nationals, where she had a superb overall shape with good muscle but avoided coming in ultra hard. It's her muscle size and her pleasing look at Nationals that makes us think that Valerie has an excellent shot at a top placing at the Arnold, because she has the type of physique and presentation that translates well across the border. We love to see figure in mainstream news coverage so check out this article on Mark and Valerie Richman in their regional newspaper (
LINK).
Valerie's Fast Facts:
Name – Valerie Richman
Height – 5'8â€
Weight – 130 lbs contest/ 150 lbs off season
Birthday – October 18, 1976
Home town – Courtice, Ontario, Canada
Hair / Eyes – dark brown with blond & red highlights, hazel eyes
Favorite music – dance
Favorite diet food – chicken breasts
Favorite cheat food – pizza and chocolate
Current occupation – elementary school teacher
Athletic background – figure skating and swimming
Latest news – sponsored by Nutrition Zone (Bio-X)
Web site –
www.valerierichman.com
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Please tell us a little bit about your background, such as where you grew up, other athletics, when you began weight training, and how you became interested in competing.
I grew up in Oshawa Ontario with my mom (Sylvia), father (Dennis) and brother (Gregory). I was always fortunate to have parents who kept me active and involved in sports. I played many sports but I loved to spend hours at the skating rink as a figure skater and at the pool as a swimmer. When I was a teenager (age 16) I grew a fascination with muscles and bodybuilder physiques. I appreciated the hours of dedication it took one to attain that look. My father often encouraged me to workout on our weight set in our basement, when I realized I was good at it and I loved how strong and powerful I felt. It was shortly after that I joined my first gym. I would read every fitness, and muscle magazine/ book for advice on training and nutrition to enhance my progress. I often went to both amateur and professional shows always admiring the dedication and time the athletes spent preparing for each competition. I always knew I wanted to be a competitive bodybuilder; it was a dream of mine. It was when my thirtieth birthday was approaching that I realized I was not fulfilling my dream of competing. It was then that I started training for my first show.
What is your academic and professional background? We know that you and your husband have a lot in common, tell us about your current profession? Which grades and subject do you teach, and how have the student reacted or supported your endeavors?
I have a bachelor of physical education with honours from Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario, and a Canadian teaching certificate from D'Youville College in Buffalo. Fresh out of school I followed my passion and became a personal fitness trainer. I really enjoyed personal training but I knew that I wanted to spread my knowledge to the younger generation. I am sad to see how inactive and unhealthy the younger generation is. As a teacher I enjoy being a healthy role model for my students encouraging them to make better and healthier decisions in their lives. I often engage in physical activities such as nature walks at the lake with them, and stress the importance of healthy snacks and meals.
Currently I teach mostly grade 4 and 5 (science and social studies). I also teach art, DPA (daily physical activity) and health to primary and junior students. My students are my biggest fans. It is amazing to see how interested they are in my accomplishments. They ask a lot of questions about my nutrition, workouts, and competitions. Last week I was telling them about the Arnold and what an honour it is going to be to stand on that stage with all the amazing competitors. One student raised her hand and asked “will you bring in your trophy, when you come backâ€. It's touching to see how much they believe in and support me.
What is your training philosophy (heavy or light, cardio, lifting)? When did you make the switch to figure and how long do you feel that it took your body to make that transformation? Any particular body parts that you consider to be strengths, or weaknesses?
My training philosophy is balance. I am a firm believer that weight training, cardio and nutrition are all the key components to attain a good physique. In the off season I like to train heavy with weights to increase my muscle mass, and I decrease my cardio, and I usually follow an off season regime (with one cheat day per week). When getting ready for a show I increase my cardio, my diet is stricter and my weight training is intense and varied between light and heavy depending on the body part I am training. I decided to switch to figure in the summer of 2006, I really liked the physiques on the athletes. The change has been ongoing, each show I see good changes and feel I look more aesthetically pleasing. I feel my strongest body parts are my arms, and back. The one weakness I am constantly working on improving is the conditioning in my legs.
How did you decide to compete at the Arnold? And is there anything in particular that you are focused on for this show? What's next for you after Columbus?
The Arnold Classic has always been one of my favorite shows and when I found out they had an Arnold Amateur I knew I had to compete in it. I liked the fact that the Arnold is in Feb/March, winters in Canada are long and I knew it would keep me motivated and on track until the 2008 season starts up. This will be my first international competition so I am excited to have that experience, and to meet many new competitors. My focus for this show is to be better conditioned while continuing to maintain my size. After Columbus Iwill be getting ready for 2008 Ontario Provincials, Canadian Nationals, and the IFBB North Americans.
Where do you work out and who do you work out with? Where do you find the best training and diet advice? Is there anyone in particular who you would like to thank, such as a sponsor, significant other, etc?
I work out at two gyms, the one I work at called Body Boomers in Oshawa, and I also work out at Platinum in Whitby. I like to have the variety in gyms to switch things up so I don't get bored and my body is constantly challenged with different equipment. I will often go to the gym with my husband Mark, we will weight train at the same time and then do cardio.
One person I completely trust with my program design and nutrition is my trainer
Nina Luchka. She is a wealth of knowledge, has a good eye and knows what is best for me. I can attribute the positive changes in my physique over the last year to Nina.
I am very fortunate to have a very supportive group of family, friends and co- workers. They have all encouraged me, supported me, and helped me through rough patches and kept me focused and positive. Of course I couldn't be where I am today without the solid support of my husband Mark, my trainer Nina and her husband Vince, the Luchka athletes and my sponsor Nutrition Zone (Bio X).
Thanks Valerie!!
