Nancy Georges - Exclusive Interviews

Nancy Georges is a Certified Lifestyle Fitness Coach, Fitness Nutrition Coach, Sports Hypnotist and Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist. Nancy is an IFBB Figure pro and has been an active part of the fitness community for over 23 years. For more information about personal training, lifestyle coaching, figure coaching, hypnotherapy CD's and MP3, and the Stage Might Figure Posing workshop please visit her web site at: www.nancygeorges.com or www.nancygeorges.net *All photos courtesy of Glen E. Grant
‹S1N› What event in your life, lead you to getting involved in Fitness?
‹Nancy› It must have been the fact that I was 5'10" and only weighed 105 pounds. Not by my choice, for some reason my metabolism was just very fast. It was great for runway modeling, but I did not like it. I started weight training and within just a few weeks saw results, and changed my life path right away.
‹S1N› Are you married, significant other, any children in your future?
‹Nancy› I do have a boyfriend he has put up with me for 7 years now. (hahaha) I do not plan on having any children. I love children; I just do not want to raise them.
‹S1N› Do you have any Hobbies, other than your obvious passion?
‹Nancy› Aside from working out and competing, which is my biggest "hobby", I am pretty easy going and like to read, sleep or go to a coffee shop and relax. I also like to spend time with my family and my nieces.
‹S1N› Is being a fitness trainer/coach your full time career, or do you have another career?
‹Nancy› Yes, personal training, lifestyle coaching and figure coaching is my full time career. I also incorporate hypnotherapy in all my programs to help create change at the unconscious level. I also put on figure posing workshops for competitors.
‹S1N› How long have you been involved in the fitness profession, when did you first decide you wanted to become an IFBB Figure Competitor?
‹Nancy› My first show was actually fitness and it was back in 1989. The IFBB did not have figure, and figure did not even exist, they did not even have fitness. I have ridden the wave of change, through fitness and figure and just followed my heart down the best path that would challenge me as an athlete. My first year with the NPC figure (the amateur division of the IFBB) was in 2005. That was when I started training to earn my pro card as a figure athlete in the IFBB.
‹S1N› If you would, please help us to understand the responsibilities of a lifestyle coach?
‹Nancy› A lifestyle coach helps people to integrate fitness into their lives. I find the missing links and work out those bugs. Some people are not motivated, they are too busy, they think healthy eating is a hassle. Main stream America has been beaten to death with "you should be fit and eat right" but they do not understand why. I teach people the why as well as help them find their own motivation and create a personalized system that they can follow. Rather than doing things exactly how I do them, I find what will realistically work for them and create a lifestyle change that seems so easy, they just effortlessly make the change.
‹S1N› What type of approach do you use when putting together a customized nutritional program for a client?
‹Nancy› It is very personal. I listen first and foremost to what they want then we structure a plan based on that.
‹S1N› In your opinion, what are the most beneficial nutritional supplements that a figure competitor should be taking?
‹Nancy› Food!!!!!! Most people including competitors have very poor nutrition. There should be a very good variety of healthy fruits and vegetables, and grains and proteins, all spread out at appropriate times to allow the body to function properly for a good workout. Most people will need far less supplements when they eat properly. However, I do think a multivitamin is a MUST, as well as flax seed oil, creatine, and a NO preworkout drink is also helpful. And we cannot forget a protein powder;this is a must for athletes.
‹S1N› Do you have a favorite recipe, or meal that you like to prepare?
‹Nancy› I am pretty basic when it comes to cooking, nothing fancy; I usually just throw in some fun spices in my skillet when I am making my food, whatever I am in the mood for that day. I am not a big fan of recipes. I just go with the flow.
‹S1N› We always have to ask this question, what is your favorite cheat food?
‹Nancy› Pizza and chocolate cake.
‹S1N› How do you determine if you have been successful with a client?
‹Nancy› My clients determine that. They tell me what they want and how they will know they are successful and together we create that.
‹S1N› What type of advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a figure competitor?
‹Nancy› First go to a competition and see if it is something you want to do. Then ask the girls questions in the show, then find a coach to work with you on nutrition, suit selection, posing and all the elements involved. At least for your first show, this will really help you to feel confident and more comfortable. When women are uncomfortable on stage the judges can see that, and it makes them feel uncomfortable as well. So practice in the heels or attend a workshop like Stage Might. This will really help. Also mental exercises, visualizations and hypnosis really help to feel confident and incorporate all the feelings you want to experience from competition.
‹S1N› What have you learned throughout your competition experience that would be most beneficial to others?
‹Nancy› The main thing I have learned is that I learn something every show. I have also learned to compete for myself and to strive to challenge myself to excel. I have learned to mind my own business, which comes in very handy and work my own plan. Everyone is on their own path, and although ultimately we are going to be standing on stage next to each other, I find the judges reward you when you look good for you. Whatever that is, they see it. It does not matter what your shape is, just make it look good for you, and keep working to make improvements. I have also learned to take responsibility for my physique and to be objective in critiquing it; that has helped me to improve ever year and get better and better.
‹S1N› What was your most memorable competition experience?
‹Nancy› Naturally, earning my IFBB Pro card. It was on my birthday and it was such a wonderful experience I cannot describe in words, but it was such a good feeling, it would have been worth training 10 years for. (Thank goodness that did not happen)
‹S1N› What is your secret to staying focused on stage?
‹Nancy› Being in the moment. All I think about when I am onstage is that moment. I enjoy that moment and I focus on "performing" for the audience. That is what they paid for, to be inspired by lovely physiques, and I want to give them that show.
‹S1N› How does someone with your amount of responsibilities as a personal trainer, lifestyle coach and figure coach find time to achieve their IFBB Pro Card?
‹Nancy› I take my goals in small manageable sizes. It took me a total of 3 years of competing and refining my physique to earn my pro card. Consistency and persistence is what pays off. This way I am able to do all of my tasks and be successful. Instead of focusing solely on one area, I can focus on everything when I break things down into a manageable size.
‹S1N› How did it make you feel taking 7th place in your very first competition as a pro?
‹Nancy› I know it sound strange but after turning pro only 3 weeks earlier, just standing on stage knowing that I was a pro was an amazing feeling. I was one of the women that the audience came to see and aspired to be like. It was a truly humbling experience. To have sat in the audience saying, hey I want to be up there, and then being up there, was just amazing. And then to place as well as I did for just my first pro show was just icing on the cake.
‹S1N› One final question, what are some of your thoughts as it relates to Healthcare?
‹Nancy› This is a very interesting question. I think there are too many pills out there. I also think there are too many scare tactics. Many people are either sick or afraid of being sick. Our healthcare system encourages this. Doctor's and pharmacies don't make money telling you to go eat broccoli, they make money by prescribing you pills. I don't think this is right.