Marilyne Meunier Athlete Profile

Your Background

Competition History

I started to compete in October, 2008, and did 4 shows and different categories (Fitness Model and Figure) where I received placings of 1st (1 time), 2nd (3 times), and 4th (1 time). My main show was Halloween Mayhem with Ultimate Fitness Events (UFE), last October 2009, and I made the top 10 in a Figure category that was packed! This was my biggest show ever, with so many high level competitors!

Your background

I am lifelong athlete, having competed in gymnastics for 13 years since the age of 3. As an adult I have also participated in other sports, including snowboarding, rollerblading, and swimming. In college, I got to see a fitness show on TV and started to dream that one day, this would be ME walking on that stage! As soon as I got enough money, I went to meet my first trainer and few months later, I was the girl on the stage! I made it happen!

Training

What is your training philosophy?

On season, I do everything my trainer tells me to! I try to not to complain or whine, just trust him! However, off-season, I love to do different stuff. Last summer I discovered functional training and cross-fit and loved it! I enjoyed the outside crazy group boot camps, flipping tires, running outside by the river in the early morning.

If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?

1. Squats and Stiff Leg Deadlifts: I love to train my legs and those 2 exercises make me feel like I’m getting my entire body in shape at once and working on my balance as well.
2. Any shoulder exercise! I love to work them out and see them getting more round!
3. Barbell Rows: Easy and simple to do, they are an amazing upper body exercise!

Nutrition

What is your philosophy on nutrition?

I will receive that which I have worked for. This applies, not only to training (and life in general for that matter), but nutritional discipline as well. It’s sometimes not easy to behave and stick to the diet, but if it was, I wouldn’t even be proud to do it! I always try to be on time with my meals, 3 hours between them keeps me out of starving too much and makes it easier! I Keep it simple: I do what my trainer tells me to!

Give us a typical day in your diet (off season):

Off-season, I eat close to what I do in the on-season, except those little extras I like to add here and there! For example, at breakfast, I will eat my egg whites and berries, but will add cheese with my eggs, and Vanilla Fat-Free/Sugar-Free Jell-O pudding with my berries! I will enjoy my chicken salad as well, but with goat cheese, dried cranberries and pecan nuts!

Give us a typical day in your diet (contest prep):

• Meal 1: Protein, carbs + fish oil
• Meal 2: Protein shake + carbs
• Meal 3: Protein, veggies + carbs
• Meal 4: Protein, veggies + carbs
• Meal 5: Protein, fruits + fat

What are your favorite meals and foods?

On diet...mmm...seriously... I loovee my breakfast with my cinnamon oatmeal and Splenda!

Favorite cheat food?

I’ve got a new one! Before, I used to stick to sushi and wine! Now, I like to get a cookie dough Dairy Queen Blizzard, Hawaiian pizza and cinnamon bread! ....and then sleep ! ;)

Supplements

What supplements do you use that give you great results? How do you use them?

1. Ultimate Nutrition: Iso Sensation, chocolate flavor. Post-workout shake, mixed with NesCafé instant espresso = Iced cappuccino!
2. AllMax Nutrition: Glutamine. Mixed in my shake post-workout for added recovery.
3. OAC women's vitamins taken 3 times a day to supplement any deficiencies in my diet.

Advice For Others

What are the 3 best tips you'd give to women thinking about competing in figure or fitness modeling?

Get a good trainer and then: 1 - trust them, 2 - talk to them, and 3 - listen to them!

What's your best tip for looking your best on competition day?

I can never say this enough: listen to your trainer! Also, ask a professional to take care of your hair and make-up; it’s really worth it!

Future Plans

What shows have you got coming up, where can we see you compete?

I am a fitness model competitor with Ultimate Fitness Events (UFE), a natural fitness/bodybuilding organization. This year, in 2010, they are running 5 shows! As a competitor, I am actually ready for the Montreal show on May 8th 2010, UFE Chaos. I will be competing in the Fitness Model Category. You will also see me on April 10th, for the UFE’s Spring Bash show in Mississauga, Ontario, helping all the competitors as a volunteer.  I will also be at the other ones: UFE Showdown (June 5th, London, ON), UFE Halloween Mayhem (October 23-24th, Hamilton, ON) and UFE National Championships (November 13th, Hamilton, ON) though I haven’t decided which one of those I’ll be competing in yet.

What would you like to achieve in your figure and fitness career?

I would really like to do features in magazines and one day even get the cover of my favorite fitness magazine, Oxygen!  This is actually why I compete with Ultimate Fitness Events; they have helped their competitors get amazing exposure in almost all of the major fitness magazines and they are supported by some of the best photographers in the industry that submit to top publications. 

Favorite Competitors/Idols

Michèle Lévesque is a great modeling inspiration to me! The way she got to reach the top really motivates me to work harder and meet her there! As well, girls like Allison Éthier and Sylvia Tremblay are really impressive with their amazing fitness routines! 

How Can People Contact You?

How can people contact you?

Facebook is probably the best and easiest way! Marilyne Meunier.