Max Muscle Interview with IFBB Pro Janet Lynn West

By staciakelly

April 4, 2013

Please welcome IFBB Pro Janet Lynn West to our virtual stage! You’ll be seeing her soon enough at the Max Muscle VA Classic in a few weeks too. Janet will be participating in the awards presentation as the presenter for Figure and Bikini Overall among others.

1. What got you started in the fitness realm?
I always loved working out; and, like many, I used to focus mostly on cardio in my early years and randomly worked on the machines at the gym. But, my workout never seemed structured or organized in any particular manner. In 2006, six years after having my third child at 39yrs of age, (yes, when you do the math it comes out that I am now 52) I needed to step up my program if I wanted to have my body back. During this time, I decided to get accredited as a personal trainer and make fitness my new career. I met a trainer who asked me if I ever considered competing. He gave me a list of contacts, local coaches, photographers, league information and a nudge in the right direction. That was the beginning of my incredible journey into the NPC which lead me to earning my pro-card in Figure in 2011.

2. What do you love most about competing?
I love being on stage for that 15-20 seconds of time when I am making my personal presentation. It’s like running through the finish line after a marathon. As athletes we train hard and keep to a regimented menu for several months to make it to the stage and present our best physique in 15-20 seconds. It’s a mental challenge to get there and it is even more challenging to go up against the best and stay mentally focused to ensure the posing, the smile the physique is at its best. Being an active competitor, also serves well to keep me on track throughout the year. I never get a chance to be too “comfortable” with my physique without knowing I have a photoshoot or a video production, or a contest just around the corner. Competing is about personal progress and that is a never ending challenge.

3. What is the hardest thing about competing?
I can’t say that I don’t also struggle with eating properly and giving up some of my cravings and loves for certain bad foods. Living without chocolate for example and sometimes foregoing birthday cake on your special day does beg the question; Why? Also, don’t enjoy cardio. The first step is the hardest as they say. This is true for me with respect to cardio. Planning vacations can be a challenge. Looking at show schedules and deciding when it’s ok to take a week off to enjoy a vacation and relax a bit on the eating. But if you want to win and do well, there need to be full commitment.

4. What is your favorite meal during the season?

I love any meal that is with oats made into a pancake. An applesauce protein pancake, or a yam pancake are two of my favorites.

5. Your favorite cheat meal?
There is nothing that replaces a cheat meal to me than a perfectly six or seven layered chocolate cake. It can be flourless or a thick dense piece of fudge and chocolate cake, but it must be rich and decadent. If my cheat does not meet my expectations, I take one bite and push it aside. Nothing is more disappointing than a cheat that isn’t satisfying!

6. What do you tell others when they ask about WHY you compete?
Not really asked this question other than in the interviews I give at shows or with various media outlets. If someone came up to me on the street and asked me that today, I guess I would say: “I don’t know, but, competing is part of my life and livelihood. I cannot imagine a day without some aspect of it in my life. It is part of my identity and I am proud to be called a Competitor.”

7. Who is your inspiration? Or who motivates you to keep going every day?
My family motivates me. I want to be healthy and fit for many more years to come so that I can enjoy my years when my children have their children. I love life and want to be around for quite some time with them.

8. What can you tell others to keep them going?
Never give up. Continue down the journey until you achieve success AND THEN KEEP GOING. Don’t second guess yourself, just keep going. Good things come to those that work hard and don’t spend energy with negative thoughts. Be kind to others along the way and enjoy the experience. Earn it, don’t look for ways to force things and sacrifice your integrity.

9. Do you have a favorite playlist for your training sessions?
Other than for cardio I do not use music too much in my daily workouts. I believe that it is important to focus, listen to your body and concentrate at the task at hand. I have the luxury of having my own studio so, I do not need music to block out others in my space.
10. Train w/a partner or trainer? Why or why not?
I train alone, unless I am fortunate enough to be with my Fitness Factory leader Mike Davies in Ohio. I am a trainer and I take what I know and what I have learned from the best and apply it to my own training.

11. Anything else you’d like to share with the competitors/vendors or spectators?
I am a contest preparation coach as well as a competitor and trainer. I am always looking to help others improve and find a way to release their passion in the world of competing. Check out my Team Granite FaceBook page for more information. And remember, visualize yourself winning, believe in yourself and it will be so. Go forward, and be persistent yet patient. It is work, and it takes time. Enjoy the journey. Do this by making friends along the way and sticking to your moral and ethically beliefs. Do it the right way, or don’t do it at all.

Please look for me on the Pro Bikini Stage in Detroit Michigan on May 11, 2013 and then later that month at the Toronto SuperShow!

Deo adjuvante, non timendum
Many thanks to my colleague Corry Matthews for putting on this event, and I am looking forward to seeing all of you!