SC: Thanks for the interview Heidi. Can you please give us a description of yourself?

HR: I am outgoing and dynamic individual. I love being able to express myself. People would describe me as energy times 10 with constant laughter. I am a mother. My daughter is 13 yeas old and I love life. 

SC: How long have you been weight training and/or involved in fitness?

HR: I have been involved in the fitness industry for over 15 years. I began as a ballet dancer at the age of 6 but I didn¹t get serious with my dancing until the age of 11. I auditioned and was accepted in to the Mayfield Secondary School Arts Dance Program for my high school years and then I did the same at the University of Waterloo. My first experience with the gym happened during university. I lived beside the YMCA and bought my first student membership after a bad breakup during my second year. I was hooked from that point on. Now I own my own personal training company, Why Not Personal Training which I started in 2003. I motivate others to accomplish their goals much as I am accomplishing my own.

SC: Tell us about how you became interested in competing in Figure?

HR: I became interested in competing in Figure by fluke. I was self training to compete as a fitness model but became too lean for that category. Figure was the option open to me. I¹m glad I did compete in Figure because it is challenging and it gave me a chance to choreograph my routine and get in to dance.

SC: What or who inspired you to compete?

HR: I decided to compete as a way to motivate myself to loose the last 15 - 20lbs of extra weight that I had been carrying for the past few years. I registered for FAME Centrals having only 8 weeks to change my physique and my body needed some serious work, but I was motivated. There is nothing more motivating than knowing you¹ll be in a bathing suit in front of a large audience along side very fit women!!!

SC: How long have you been competing for?

HR: I recently began competing again and for the first time in Figure in 2006. I have two years past experience competing on the bikini circuit during 2001 and 2002.

SC: What have you learned from competing?

HR: I learned that you have to be dedicated and love what you do in order to be successful. Success needs to be measured by knowing that you have done your best.

SC: Do you have any tips or advice for upcoming figure competitors?

HR: My advice to you is take what you do best and put it out there. Have fun and cherish the journey. Don't give up!

SC: What is your favourite bodypart to train?

HR: I always had a sleek dancers back and great legs until I gained weight, then I had back fat and cellulite. I now love training these two areas because I¹ve seen the physical changes and I know where I have been. I love my legs and back again!

SC: What's your training philosophy?

HR: Train hard and train often but respect your body's limits.

SC: Do you train on your own or do you have a training partner?

HR: I train on my own in the either in the basement on the elliptical, treadmill or universal gym or in front of the TV with my free weights and stability ball.

SC: What about supplements? What are your favourites?

HR: My favorite is the ISO XP protein shake in Chocolate Explosion which I use 2 to 3 times a day. I also take Omega 3-6-9 and vitamin C, along with a thermogenic supplement.

SC: When are you competing next?

HR: I will be competing at the Toronto Classic on June 3, 2006 and FAME Nationals on June 15, 2006.

SC: Any parting words?

HR: Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy...life is too short!

SC: Thanks for the interview Heidi.