Heidi Levasseur Won 6 Trophies and 2 Pro Cards in Her FIRST Figure Contest
Karen Sessions – Figure Coach – Hey Heidi. Well, first I want to congratulate you on your accomplishment of winning 6 trophies and 2 pro cards in one show. How amazing! So, what competitions have you recently competed in and how did you place in them?
Heidi Levasseur – I just competed in the OCB Spirit of America and Placed 1st in all 3 divisions:
- Figure Open (Pro Card)
- Figure Masters (Pro Card)
- Figure Novice
I WON Overall in all 3 divisions and earned 2 pro cards in my figure competition. (1 in Masters, 1 in figure open). Needless to say, I went home a very happy women!!!
I BET you were a very happy woman. That’s some accomplishment! What was your competition experience like?
My experience with this show was GREAT! I went into this show feeling ready, 100%.
Competing does give you a natural high, and swiping 6 trophies and 2 pro carbs in one show must have felt amazing. Have you always been athletic? Did you play any kind of sports growing up?
I was a cheerleader in my teens. In addition, grew up with three brothers so was somewhat of a tomboy.
I was quite the opposite. I didn’t play any sports, but latched onto bodybuilding so naturally. So, what got you involved in figure and bikini competitions?
I saw some photo’s of my chiropractor’s receptionist in a bikini comp and thought I could do that. I did a couple of Bikini show’s placed 1st, 2nd 3rd etc. Then I decided figure would be were I fit in best. I put in a lot of hard work, focus, and dedication. In one year, I won two pro card’s in Figure in one show..
I got inspired when I attended a bodybuilding competition in Biloxi MIssissippi.. Then the competition bug bit me! So, how long have you been into fitness and working out?
Growing up with three brothers who always lifted weights in the basement, I got into lifting steel! Fell in love with Corey Everson!!!! She was hot! I wanted to look like her!!!! BAD!!! I loved how it made me feel. I joined my first gym when I was 17 and went on to meet my now husband and had two children. I continued off and on with weight training for years, and got serious when I got in my mid 30’s. It has paid off.
I remember wanting to look like Corey too. I also started bodybuilding when I was 17. In fact, when I joined the gym at 17 I told the personal trainer there I wanted to look like Corey. LOL What is your competition weight and off-season weight, and how tall are you?
Off season I’m about 125 lbs. For competitions I get about 115lbs and I’m 5″5′
That’s a good range for contest and off-season. It allows you to build muscle, but not gain too much weight. π So, how long did it take you to prep for your figure competition?
I followed your, Karen Sessions, 12 week figure prep for this last show and the results were amazing. My 6 trophies and 2 pro cards speak for themselves.
I appreciate your feedback. It’s based on all my trial and errors and research for the last 25 years. Ok, so what motivates you to keep in shape?
I love the way it makes me feel and look!!!! Eating clean has made a huge difference in reaching my fitness goals. Oxygen Magazine and Muscle & Fitness Hers also motivates me. In addition, Nicole Wilkins and Jamie Eason. Seeing those sexy figure bodies pushes me to have the best figure body I can have.
I agree. Eating clean can be addictive because you form that control and the pay off is what you just accomplished. How do you stick to your goals?
I put it in my mind, “keep your eye on the prize!!!” Motivational pics/magazines and most impotently my husband.
I totally understand! To win my contests I would focus on that final outcome… Winning. Ok, so, what is your nutrition like off-season?
I have no problem eating clean all year but, with no guilt for clean cheats.
That’s a great thing. I have a few e-clients that dedicated, and they build GREAT muscle off-season and come in lean and mean for competitions. What is your figure competition diet like?
Lot’s of green veggies and lean protein.
Ah yes, that’s a recipe for fat loss and muscle gain. What is a basic cheat meal for you?
I Love PP&J, cereal, cupcakes!!!! I also live Starbucks unsweetened green tea latte with unsweetened almond milk! YUM!!! Have these on reefed days.
I’m sure those cheats are well-deserved. In your figure prep, are there any sacrifices? If so, how do you overcome them?
Yes lots of sacrifices. I over come them by staying focused on my goal. I’m always prepared and bring food with me and eat before parties.
Yes, plan ahead is the key to staying on track. What do you find to be the hardest part about getting into contest shape and how do you overcome it?
The diet, getting to know your body. And be prepared, carry food with you ALWAYS!!!.
LOL Yeah, the key is being prepared. Always bring your food with you. The better you can do that and stick to it, the better you will be for your contest. So, what is your training split like off-season?
I lift heavier weight, less reps and more rest in the off-season. Oh yeah, less cardio..yea!!!!
BAM! I wish more figure competitors would adopt that mindset and move away from the light weight and high rep training off-season. It takes HEAVY weight and low reps to build muscle. What is your training life when you are prepping for a contest?
Focused, Focused, Focused
So, are you saying you are focused when prepping for a show? π Yep, it HAS to come first. Now, do you track your personal best lifts?
No never do, I lift for the feel, not a number.
What do you do for cardio?
Stair master, Treadmill HIITs/or walk incline, sprints and new to the list is Crossfit.
I can vary. Most of the time I track and log my training because I life to lift heavy and progress my strength. Do you have any future competition plans?
Yes I’m am looking do my first masters pro show, and then move on to Gaspari Nutrition open pro show.
I remember when Rich Gaspari was a mainstream competitor. That just goes to show you how long I’ve been at all this. LOL Do you use supplements? If so, what are your favorite supplements?
Yes of course. I use protein powder, -glutamine, BCAA’s, digestive enzymes, pro biotic, CLA for fat loss, a multi-vitamin for health, l-carnitine, creatine, fish oil, green tea, yohimbine and caffeine.
GREAT supplement stack to build muscle and lose fat! Now, does your family support your fitness endeavors?
Yes, my kids are great and my husband is my rock.
Having family support makes ALL the difference. What hobbies do you have outside of fitness?
Snow boarding, reading, decorating, and yard sales. I love to find great bargains.
I’ve never been snow boarding! Then again, we don’t get much snow here. π What advice would you give someone who wanted to get in such outstanding shape as you are in?
For starters follow this 12 week prep, secondly read a lot, Google is my best friend, lastly but, most important β¦. Know Your Body!!!
Have you heard of DuckDuckGo search engine? I’ve been using it for a while and like the findings. How has competing in figure changed your life?
Knowing that I can do anything when I put my mind to itβ¦no excuses.
No argument there, girl! So, do you have any long-term goals in the fitness industry?
Would love to be sponsored.
You can check with your gym to see if they can sponsor your prep months and you can try the same thing for tanning. Some gyms will sponsor your supplements if you mention the gyms name as part of your introduction when the MC announces you. If you could give one piece of advice to another figure competitor, what would it be?
Be Ready. Believe in yourself. weather you think you can or weather you think you can’t, you’re right” Surround yourself with positive people that may have similar goals.
Well.. .I guess that just about says it all. One last thing Ms. Figure Pro with the 6 trophies… Do you have a website of facebook page you would like to share?
Facebook me~ Heidi Levasseur IFPA Figure Pro.
One More Thing…
Do YOU Want to Enter a Competition, too or Just Have the Body of a Competitor? Stop sitting on the sideline… Get the Competition Blueprint Amy Used to Make her STUNNING Transformation.
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Karen Sessions NSCA-CPT