Exclusive Interview with Fitness Competitor Nikki Crawford

Getting to know Nikki Crawford

Q. Nikki where and when were you born? Where do you currently reside? July 6, 1967 in Pendelton, Oregon Klamath Falls, Oregon

Q. Did you compete in Athletic Competitions during your childhood? Yes, I competed in Baton, Dance and gymnastics

Q. What or who influenced you to become a Fitness Competitor? My friend Leslie, I worked with her when I was a 49er cheerleader at "Pros for kids" school assemblies and camps. She was a national fitness champion.

Q. Where and when was your first competition? How did you feel the 1st time? It was August 2001, in Folsom, California. I felt great. I was in the best shape of my life. I must say I was intimidated by the beautiful, muscular girls I was competing against though.

Q. What was your most memorable competition and why? That first competition, because I won and was asked to do a paid photo shoot. Also, I was so impressed with the girls I competed against. I made some neat friendships. Most importantly my family and good friends were able to be there with me. It was the start to something fun, healthy and rewarding!

Q. What do you enjoy most with Fitness Competitions? The friendships I make with people from all over the World.

Q. What does your day consist of when you are not preparing for a competition? I work usually from 5:am to 12:00pm as a Fitness Director, Personal Trainer. I teach aerobics and spin classes. Then from 2:00pm on I pick up kids from school (3 different pick up times),run them to their practices or games, run errands, help with homework, make dinner and do chores. During basketball season we also go to all my husbands games (he is the head coach at the high school here). Some nights we don’t get home until 10:00pm!

Q. Is it hard being a wife and mother while competing at the level you are at? Definantly. It is all about finding balance. My family comes first. I am lucky that I work at a fitness club so I can schedule my workouts while I am there and get my cardio from the classes I teach. It is important for me to prepare my meals ahead of time so I can stay on track. My husband is a huge help with the cooking part also. :-)

Q. What tips and suggestions would you give somebody that wants to begin competing and also has a family? Set small goals and long term goals and don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go perfect. We learn something new or what works best as we go. Have fun and most important find balance.

Q. What is your ultimate goal as a fitness competitor? i.e where do you see yourself in the future. My ultimate goal as a fitness competitor is to be a good example, motivate and inspire Mom’s, children and people. I want them to see that fitness and eating healthy is a lifestyle. I also want to teach them to set goals for themselves no matter what their age is. I would love to win Ms Fitness USA so I could develop programs all over the United States to help fight our nations epidemic with Childhood Obesity.

Q. What do you do outside of preparing yourself for Fitness Competitions? Spend time with my family, work in my kids classrooms, go to my husbands soccer games he and his brother play in, help with the Outstanding Teen pageant, Miss Klamath Falls and Miss City of Sunshine pageants. I like to scrapbook, jet ski, travel and shop!

Nikki Preparing for Ms Fitness USA and World

Q. How many times have you competed in the Ms Fitness Competition? This will be my fourth year Q. Which was your most memorable and why? Last year because I won 3rd runner up, did a commercial for CortiSlim and was chosen along with Sarah Harding to do a show with Jenny McCarthy "E".

Q. When did you begin preparing for this years Exciting Event? After last years competition! I got more serious about my final training in July.

Q. What has your diet consist of for the 2006 Ms Fitness Competition? You can check out the boards on STG to see what I have been eating each day.

Q. What supplements have you been using? Whey protein, glutamine, CLA, CortiSlim, fish oil, flax seed, Multi vitamin, vit E, C and calcium.

Q. Your Training; what has it been consisting of? (Cardio, Lifting, etc…) Cardio (Elliptical, kickbox, spin, ABS class, routine practice and a little running. Weight training - 4 days a week Chest/Tris, Back/Bis, Legs, shoulders 1-2 weeks before I do circuit training all over body 3x a week

Q. Has your training been the same as previous Ms Fitness Competitions? Pretty much, except I have not been able to run or lift legs as much this year because of a hip injury. That has been very frustrating.

Q. Nikki can you tell us the importance of rest and sleep during training? Yes, it is very important to get 7-9 hrs so your muscles have time to rest, grow and repair. This is a challenge for me since I go to work at 5:am and am a full time wife and mom as well!

Q. What do you believe your Strengths and Weaknesses will be for the competition? I always like the routine round because I love to entertain people. I enjoy performing. My weakness is that I only took gymnastics when I was real young so I don’t have as many technical gymnastics skills as a lot of the other competitors. I am good at my technique and transitions. Physique round I feel confident on stage, I am petite. Evening gown/speech round I usually do great. I feel I am a good speaker and can present myself well.

Q. If you were to predict the outcome of the competition, what would it be? NIKKI CRAWFORD 2007 SUPPLEMENTSTOGO.COM MS FITNESS USA (that is what I would like to hear)!

Q. Nikki I really appreciate your time, is there anybody you would like to thank before heading into the 2006 Ms Fitness Competition? Sure you want to ask me that question? THERE ARE SO MANY! Supplementstogo.com, Ms Fitness organization and family, my husband and children, my family and friends, my boss and everyone at National Fitness & Racquet Club, my workout partners, clients and co workers, Carl Thygesen and all the other photographers I have worked with, Ms Fitness Magazine, Oxygen Magazine, Physique Magazine, Muscle Fitness Magazine, my fans (thanks for always inspiring me with all you emails), My trainers Bret, Keith, Christopher and Emily, my makeup artist Natisha, Wendy and Lanie at Duo Designs, Kevin Weaver (my agent), Dave Campbell from fitness menus. And most importantly, GOD.

Thank You for your time Nikki Crawford Pre Competition Interview. SupplementsToGo cannot wait to see you at competition. Keep working hard and GOOD LUCK!!