INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH

Julie: I'm 35 years old. I'm Canadian and live in Montreal. I'm single, no children.

Julie: I am a teacher who works with students with learning disabilities and handicaps. I love my job and I feel very valued helping these students to better succeed in their academic learning.

Julie: As a teenager, I discovered the pleasure of lifting weights and pushing my limits. Over the years, coaches and friends at the gym were asking if I was competing because I was becoming increasingly muscular, but I replied in the negative. People were asking why I was not competing because I had the genetics to do so. Until the day I met my first coach Gregory Ulysse who has shared his passion for bodybuilding, it made me want to get into this new challenge .

Julie: Of course a physique like mine is often perceived negatively. Many prejudices are present in bodybuilding and I believe there are even more in female bodybuilding since there are not many female bodybuilders, especially in Quebec. Whether at the gym, grocery, stores or other public places, people often look down on me, especially in summer when I wear tank tops or short sleeves. When my back is turned, I often hear whisper regarding my physical appearance. I used to be disturbed by such inappropriate comments. Now I have learned to ignore them and become indifferent to comments that can be hurtful. I learned to close my eyes and convince myself that I practice bodybuilding for me and other people's opinions with regard to my choices should not affect my passion for this sport.

My family is now very supportive to my training and preparation for competitions. But this has not always been the case. Initially, they did not understand why I chose this sport and why so many daily sacrifices to get ready for the day of the show. My mother used to ask why I wanted to suffer so much for this discipline. When she realized it was a passion and these little sacrifices helped me to grow and develop, she supported me.

My friends are big fans. They help me get through difficult times and to refocus on diet and preparation. I am very fortunate to have people who support me and I can count on in difficult times.

Julie: I love seeing my body change. It's motivating to see the impact of nutrition and intensive training on our body and see how the daily efforts allow you to obtain the desired physical appearance.

Also, I like the discipline required by bodybuilding. I like routines, therefore, bodybuilding suits me very well.

I like the day of the competition when it's time to step on stage and show the result of our efforts. I like the adrenaline and sense of accomplishment and freedom.

Julie: I would like to get my pro card within 5 years. I want to show an image that female bodybuilding can be feminine, sexy and intelligent. It is not just "looks" that makes a woman feminine, but also the attitude and personality.

People should learn to know the female bodybuilder before judging by their own personal standards and try to understand her passion for a sport unconventional for women.

Julie: The best time was my first competition. I remember the adrenaline rush when stepping on stage and the relief and sense of well-being of stepping out. I had never experienced such intense emotions in such a short lapse of time. I remember the feeling of personal accomplishment of arriving at the end even if I was not in my best condition.

I've also appreciated that my family was present to witness all this. They have seen my preparation and that it has not always been easy for me.

Julie: I am looking forward to the July 2010 Provincial Championship (Montreal, Quebec) and to the Canadians in August 2010 (Saskatoon). With my new trainer Leo, I think I'll be in excellent condition for these contests.

Julie: I measure 5'5 ". I weigh 180 pounds in off-season and 165 pounds in contest shape.

Julie: My upper body is my best feature. I think my best body part is my shoulders. I love to train them, they are the first to bulk and the first to cut.

Julie: I train 5 days a week, one muscle group a week; I train usually in the 10-12 rep range, and working to failure, except for my legs that I train with lower weight but high reps when I get ready for a competition.

Usually, in off-season, I do not get too heavy, always eat healthy, do cardio and try to stay in a semi-competition shape because of the modelling business that I have and I work with high intensity. The main differences between training off- season and training for a competition is when I get in cutting shape I change the diet , train my legs with higher reps and also perform more cardio, any type.

Julie: I like to do concentric curls for biceps, to feel the pump in it!

Julie: I love the weekly meetings with my coach Leo Di Fruscia and seeing the progression of my condition. I pose for him to see changes from week to week. These meetings are very motivating as we discuss strategies to improve my condition. I like to understand and explore my body in order to improved and bring it to the best possible condition for competition.

When the show approaches, it becomes time to practice the poses. I love this time because it means that the show is approaching and it is time to show the result of such hard work. Furthermore, this means that soon I can find a more pleasant and "normal" life style. I also love doing various photo shoots.

Julie: Off-season, I get up around 6:30am. I have lunch at home and go to work from 8:00 to 3: 30. After work, I go to the gym for about 1 hour of weight training and 30 minutes of cardio. I come home around 6:30pm. In the evening, I like to relax, watching TV and do some work for school.

During contest preparation, my days are much longer and strenuous. I get up at 4:20 to go to the gym before work (to do my weight training and cardio on an empty stomach). Then I have breakfast and I get ready at the gym for my day at school. After my workday, I go to the gym for a second training (weights and cardio). I arrived home at 6: 30pm. I'm exhausted at this time. So, I eat my dinner and prepare my gym bag, my school stuff and all my meals for the next day. I go to sleep around 9:30 pm.

Julie: Bodybuilding is so demanding, I prefer to have quiet hobbies to recharge my batteries. So I spend time in good company with my family and friends. I like watching movies and television. In off-season, I like to go to a nice restaurant, eat a great meal with some wine and port! ;)

Julie: I'm listening mostly to hip-hop and house music when I train.

Julie: I am passionate in life and in everything I do. On a daily basis, I try to surpass myself. To live what I want to live without worrying about what people think because we have only one life to live and we must pursue it as we want to. Moreover, I am a good person who loves giving to people. I like to experience new challenges and explore different interests.

Julie: My first advice would be not to worry about what people think and think about why she wants to get into bodybuilding. It is not always easy to be happy when practicing a discipline as demanding as bodybuilding when someone is doing it for the wrong reasons (to please someone, to impress people). It becomes very difficult to go forward because the motivation comes from others instead of from oneself. She must get involved for the good reasons. These good reasons must be hers and for improving her well-being; to feel better about herself, to develop a healthy lifestyles, raise confidence and to perform a new challenge.

Julie: Male: Kai Greene, Ronnie Coleman, Phil Heath and Victor Martinez.

Female: Heather Armbrust, Yaxeni Oriquen, Debi Laszewski and Cathy LeFrancois.

Julie: My website: www.juliebourassa.com. I'm looking for new sponsors, please contact me by email at juliebourassa1@hotmail.com.

Julie: I want to thank Mark from FBBFan for the visibility that he has given to me and everything that he has done for me and the female bodybuilding community.

I am also very thankful to my trainer, to my fans, friends and family. I appreciate your support and emails. It keeps me going to do what I love the most and that is bodybuilding!