Publishers Note
2
COVER SHOT FITNESS
John Hawley, Publisher
Photographer/Videographer
John Hawley (904)333-3527
11604 Surfwood Ave, Jax. Fl 32246
Editor & Administrator: Nellie Hawley
January 14, 2015
In This Issue:
Charise Parker
Share with us a bit about your contest history and most memorable show experience.
I started competing in 2010 when I lived in California. This was just before Women’s Physique was introduced into the NPC. In California, I was able to crossover and compete in both Bodybuilding and Figure in all of my early shows. I loved both divisions for the unique aspects they each offered. When I moved to Florida, I started competing solely as a Figure athlete, since crossing over was no longer an option. In 2014, I decided to make to switch from Figure to Physique.
My most memorable show experience actually happened the day before the 2014 Southeastern show. Early that morning, I met my coach, Rick Blackwood, at his gym for check-ins. On the drive to Beach Bodies Health and Fitness in Indialantic (which is hands down the best gym I have ever trained at!), I was incredibly nervous for Coach to see me. I was holding quite a bit of water earlier in the week and I was afraid I might not be ready. However, once Coach started jumping up and down (literally) and high-fived me, I was ecstatic. I felt like I had won the show without even stepping on stage. That meant more to me than any trophy.
What prompted the switch from figure to physique?
What I loved most about competing in Women’s Bodybuilding was being able to flex and show off my hard-earned muscles on stage. I also loved being the “tough” chick at the gym, lifting the “big boy” weights. But I was drawn to Figure because I appreciated the beauty and glamour of the athletes in this division. I saw Physique as the perfect blending of musculature and beauty, so it was an easy decision for me. In addition, what Dana Linn Bailey achieved in blazing the trail for Women’s Physique athletes only further inspired me to switch to this Division. She is an amazing ambassador for this sport and I very much admire her hardcore work ethic in the gym (cont. pg. 6).
Cover Shot Fitness Magazine