Name: Sofia Rodriguez
Competition Class: Bikini Class C
Where do you train?: Golds Gym Merrifield (But I do love to gym hop tooJ)
Weight On Season: 125-130 lb
Weight Off Season: 135-140 lb
What got you started in health and fitness?: Fitness and health is nothing new to me. Ever since I can remember, I have been passionate about fitness and health conscious in one way or another. In the past I’ve done soccer, track & field, competitive cheerleading in both high school and college and even tried long distance running. My educational background is in clinical exercise physiology and I have 6 years of personal training experience and have been a fitness supervisor as well. This is just a HUGE part of my life: I live and breathe fitness!
What prompted you to want to step on stage?: I am a competitor at heart. I love a challenge, the discipline involved in bodybuilding, and the ability to push yourself to achieve levels you never would have imagined. It goes beyond aesthetics for me. I step on stage to inspire other individuals to reach their goals and help them see that dreams do come true with hard work and perseverance.
Have you competed before the recent MM NPC VA Classic? If so, where and when?: Yes! I competed in the VA Max Muscle Classic last year here in Woodbridge (2013) in Bikini. That was my first competition and I placed 4thJ I also have competed on the national level in July, 2013 at Team Universe. This year I have done 2 local shows so far, Baltimore Gladiator Classic in March and of course the VA Max Muscle Classic recently in AprilJ
Are you going to compete again? Have you already decided on a show or shows?: Yes most definitely. I have two more shows planned for the rest of the year. VA Grand Prix in Norfolk in June and a national show, Team Universe in July. Then I will take an off season!
What’s your favorite body part to train? Least favorite?: Favorite is definitely shoulders. I am obsessed and usually do three days of delt workouts involving heavy weights, supersets, as well as cables and resistance bandsJ Second favorite is of course the “bootywerk,” Glute training (Hey I AM a bikini athlete!). Least favorite is probably chest.
Do you have a consistent playlist for when you’re working out?: I try to be up to date with songs but for the most part Pandora is my friend at the gym! Any song that gets me hype is a plus.
Favorite cheat meal?: All P’s: Pizza, Pancakes (the real ones), Peanut butter & Poptarts:)
Do you have a strong support network for your training and nutrition planning?: Although it may be tough at times, my family, friends, co-workers and other loved ones DO support my decision to be in competition prep and compete. They see how passionate I am about this sport and try to help out as much as possible. They put up with my “luggage” that takes up the whole fridge (6 pack bag), eating my own food, many emotions, and missing out on events because of my training schedule. For that I appreciate themJ Some of those close to me have even adopted healthy habits and changed their lifestyle themselves, which is very rewarding and makes competing all worth it in the end.
What do you do for a living? How does your training and nutrition work around that?: Currently, I am a cardiac technician at a cardiology office in northern Virginia and I also do personal training. Because I work full time plus a part time job, I HAVE to be very organized and efficient in my planning and prepping for my workouts and meals. This is the only way I can still compete. However, there are many days at my job where it is really busy so I have to be flexible and creative when it comes to my nutrition. It’s constantly a learning experience and definitely involves trial and error.
How can people find you? My email is: sofiarodriguez077@gmail.com. Also check out my various Social Media pages below!:
IG: @sofitifa
Twitter: @sofitfia
Facebook Athlete page: www.facebook.com/SofiaRodriguezBikiniAthlete
Youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpfWpZapD25Sp2kDu5c1FjQ/feed