June 1, 2007

Catching Up with Natalie Waples

Natalie Waples is a fitness model and figure competitor who has been featured quite often in SeriousAboutFitness.com and in the related sites such as GirlsofSAF.com. We have even released a second DVD, Building a Beautiful Body #1, that features her. However, with all this exposure, it’s rather ironic that we’ve never profiled or interviewed her for our "People" section so that readers could get to know a little more about her. So, last month, just as Natalie was preparing for her third competitive season, I met with her and this is what she had to say:

Doug Schneider: We’ve featured you on the SeriousAboutFitness.com cover four times, but we’ve never profiled you. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Natalie Waples: Absolutely. I grew up in a small town in Northern Ontario and moved to Ottawa to pursue my university education. After graduation, I was hired by the federal government and now live permanently in our nation’s capital.

In terms of health and fitness, nutrition and healthy eating are key factors that I was aware of an early age. I can remember, in high school, eating whole-wheat sandwiches with veggies for lunch, while my friends ate hot hamburgers and poutine. My parents always emphasized eating healthy foods and we were only allowed junk food on weekends.

Athleticism and love of sport are two things I have always embraced. In high school, I played baseball, volleyball, and basketball, and I also took part in track and field. When I entered university, I joined the varsity cheerleading team, which required mandatory weight training at the gym three times per week as part of our fitness regime. I fell in love with weight training and the rest is history.

DS: Health and fitness is obviously important to you, but it’s not a full-time job for you. What else do you do?

NW: An education has always been important to me, and my parents were very supportive in my academic aspirations and choices. In university, I studied human resources and marketing, so it was only natural that I wanted to work in one of these fields upon graduation. I am currently a Regional Human Resources Advisor for the federal government and absolutely love my job. Interacting with employees, managers and co-workers on a daily basis, providing human resources advice and guidance, while constantly learning and developing my career, has been wonderful and I look forward to a long career in this field.

DS: These days you compete in figure and fitness-modeling events, but you have a background competing in pageants in your teens. Can you explain?

NW: It’s true, my younger sister and I competed in pageants throughout our younger years, and we both competed nationally at the Miss Canada/Miss Teen Canada pageants. It was something "the girls" (i.e., my sister, my mother and myself) all did together and I wouldn’t trade our pageant times for the world. My employers back, in my high school days, were always very supportive of my endeavors, and sponsored me for my events – the costs of entry fees, dresses, outfits, and travel added up very quickly. The pageant experience has definitely given me the poise and confidence that I take with me up on the competitive figure stage today.

DS: You’re also a Miss Bikini Canada winner. When was that, and how was the experience?

NW: I won the Miss Bikini Canada in 2000. This win was a complete shocker as it was the first pageant I had done which employed the "swimsuit" round. I was very nervous. I remember seeing my dad in the crowd, with his smile beaming though his big, black beard while I was up there answering my impromptu questions. I was invited to compete in the Miss Bikini World that year on the island of Malta, but opted out as the competition fell upon my second week back at university.

DS: You started training specifically for figure competition a little less than two years ago – that’s when I started training you. We had three months to prepare for your first competition and at the time you told me that your goal was to "fit in." I also know that you were a little nervous. You ended up winning your first show, and then you won another two weeks later. I won’t ask if you were surprised about that since, obviously, you were. What advice would you give someone who is just starting out and going to compete in figure but is nervous like you were?

NW: It is only natural to be nervous. Without it, it would mean that this wasn’t important to you, and I’m sorry, but after 12 weeks of dieting and months/years of training, it has to be important. My best advice is to always ask other competitors your questions so that you can be fully prepared, surf the ‘net, and have an idea what the judges are looking for. Also, smile and have fun!

DS: You’ve won regional and provincial titles, and now this month you’re going for a national title at the CBBF National World Qualifier. Are you as nervous about this upcoming show as you were at your first shows, or have you gotten over it?

NW: Definitely still nervous. I placed third in this particular competition last year, so this year I am determined to go in better than ever. I love being on the stage, but I definitely get the jitters just before I walk on.

DS: If you find yourself still getting nervous onstage, are there any tricks you use to try to calm yourself down, or at least give the appearance that you’re calm?

NW: The rush of walking onstage seems to get rid of any backstage jitters. If I feel my cheeks twitching from nerves, I just try to relax and remind myself that the audience cannot see it (because they can’t). Also, I tell myself "I belong" and "I deserve this."

DS: You’re featured in our newest DVD called Building a Beautiful Body #1. It’s mainly targeted towards beginners starting to work out. However, it also contains candid footage from many of your competitions as well as tips and tricks about many things related to looking your best that I think many people will find interesting. When you saw the DVD for the first time, was it strange watching yourself?

NW: For sure. I am super critical as it is, so seeing myself up there on the screen was very weird, but I liked it. It was very neat watching my contest footage and backstage candids. I laughed out loud a lot.

DS: I’ve heard many people remark that you’re in perfect shape, but on the DVD you confess that there are aspects of your physique that you’re still not happy with. Can you explain what they are and why?

NW: Well, nobody’s perfect and I definitely have body parts that I think are less than stellar, but I work hard at making improvements. Right now I am focusing on slimming down my quads for contest time while maintaining my size and musculature in my shoulders and back. This can be trying, but I am determined!

DS: There’s a saying about being your own worst critic. Do you think that’s true of you?

NW: Yes. Some of the compliments I get really throw me because I don’t see what others see. I can be hard on myself, but I have a wonderful support system and use this to consistently improve.

DS: In terms of fitness-related role models, whom do you look up to?

NW: Jenny Hendershott

DS: Why?

NW: Jen is the best-known fitness competitor in the world, but she is also professional, courteous and friendly. I had the opportunity to be part of her fashion show at the Arnold Sports Festival this year, and she was absolutely amazing with everyone.

DS: Finally, this month is our SAF Model Search where new winners will be crowned and featured on our GirlsofSAF.com site. Currently, you are one of our most popular models. Do you have any advice to those women who are going to compete and might be nervous?

NW: Just get out there and have fun. Show the judges your own individual style and let your personality shine though.

DS: Thanks Natalie!

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