First of all, thank you very much Jody for joining the KagedMuscle team. I’m sure our fans will enjoy having you on the forums, reading about you and learning from you. So, to start with can you please tell us what got you interested in bodybuilding?

I started training 15 years ago at a small women’s only gym after work, this was the first time I had ever picked up a set of dumbbells. I became close friends with one of the instructors there who had also begun to compete; she took me to my first British body building show.
I was totally inspired to improve my body. I continued to train throughout the years enjoying the sense of achievement training gave me.

In 2007 I competed in my first body building show and although extremely nervous and naïve I knew I had found a passion for the sport. The result was the icing on the cake and the commitment and dedication and mental preparation was hard but made the achievement all the more worthwhile.

I knew then I had a lot of hard work ahead and spent the next years training hard, making gains and changing my body.

Bodybuilding is now a life style choice for me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I competed in my first show in 2007 and then took a year out to put on more muscle, improve my posing and developing body parts that needed improving. I improved my physique and competed in three more shows in 2009. I am now preparing for the 2010 shows, again always working hard to improve and setting myself new goals. My current goals are to keep improving in all areas of figure competing, from my posing to changing my body shape and to expand my knowledge of diet and nutrition.

That’s a great past history you have and an inspiring one at that. Since then, what have you achieved in the way of success on the stage?

My competitions to date are,
NAC British trained figure 2007 1st place.
NAC British overall figure 2007 1st place.
NABBA England trained figure 2009 2nd place.
NABBA Universe trained figure 2009 6th place.
NABBA UK trained figure 2009 1st place.
I hold the current title of Miss UK trained figure.

Right ok, so you are an extremely competitive athlete on the circuit. Can you please outline your training regime for us?

I cycle my training between heavy and light, usually 12 weeks of basic heavy compound movements and then 8 weeks of light high intensity, although pre-comp I stick with heavy weights, but incorporate drop sets and exaggerated squeezing techniques to help bring out the muscle separation. Cardio is 3 x 30minute sessions first thing in a morning before breakfast off season. Pre-contest this increases to 6 days a week 50minutes pre-breakfast, and if I require more than this, then I’ll split it over 2 sessions pre-breakfast and immediately after training.
Monday:        Shoulders
Tuesday:        Biceps/calf’s/abs
Wednesday:  Quads
Thursday:      Off
Friday:           Back/ triceps
Saturday:       Glutes/Hamstrings
Sunday:          Off
I build muscle easily on chest so at present do not train this body part to keep my physique balanced.  

That’s a great point to outline that there are many training splits that do work. It’s also interesting to see that you don’t train your chest, not many bodybuilders would ever do that ;). What have you found after years of training works best for you?

I’ve tried many different training routines and splits in the past and a variety of diets, but my main philosophy is that consistent diet and hard training is the key to success in any sport. During the off season I am now prioritizing weaker body parts to ensure I improve the overall balance of my physique. Keeping to a good diet during the off season ensuring I don’t put too much body fat on is also key to ensure when competition prep comes around it doesn’t have to be any more demanding than necessary.

Again, a great point well made. There is no point in gaining lots of weight in the off season if it’s fat, it all has to come back off and could cause you problems retaining your muscle mass. Are there any exercises or training styles you particularly like or dislike.

My favorite body parts to train are quads and glutes, some people may have a body part they dislike training, but I enjoy all aspects of my training including all body parts. I enjoy training heavy, but have to limit this as a trained figure girl. This is so that I present on stage a shape that conforms to the trained figure competitor criteria.

Sure, most have their favorites and least favorites. The key is to give each group the same intensity as one another I’m sure you will agree. What would your key advice be to other females looking to get into bodybuilding in regard to training?

Be consistent with diet and training, as long as you are mentally strong the physical side will come!

Couldn’t have said it any better myself. Share with us your best lifts!

Squat 120kg x 10 reps
Incline Bench 80kg x 10 reps
Military Press 80kg x 8 reps
Dumbbell Curls 20kg x 10reps
Leg Press 340kg x 10reps

WOW, you’re strong! In relation to your nutrition plan, what has worked best for you and why do you think is?

Organization and pre planning and consistency are key, there is careful weighing of food, monitoring of body weight and then carb intake is adjusted accordingly as is cardio. Off season protein remains high, cheats limited to once a week and all food is from a quality source.However, 2 weeks prior to competition diet beginning protein is reduced, although calorie intake remains the same this allows my body to respond favorably to the ensuing pre comp diet. Then pre comp, as carbs are reduced essential fats are increased. My diet allows me to build and maintain muscle both on and off season.

Do you focus on high protein consumption?

I maintain a high protein diet throughout the year, my protein consumption coming from clean sources and a good balance of fish, chicken, turkey, fillet steak, whey protein and a quality protein blend.

Of course, high protein is vital to retain your muscle mass as well as help you recover and grow! How does your diet differ throughout the year?

The basis and theories behind my diet doesn’t change depending if I’m off season or pre contest. I choose to eat healthily all year round, and see this as a healthy life style choice that I maintain. I am able to adjust quantities of each food group to reach my target weight if needed.

What foods do you swear by and which foods do you steer clear of?

My diet is made up of a healthy balance of complex carbs, healthy fats and quality sources of protein. This does not change throughout the year although quantities are manipulated depending on the goal. I do not include any cheat foods in my diet pre comp; although off season I have a treat meal on a weekend. The treat will be a food I do not generally allow myself to eat.

Do you ‘cheat’ much on your diet?

I do not cheat on my diet, to be the best in your chosen sport you have to be 100 percent committed and consistent with your approach.

Great Advice there! What kind of nutrition plan would you advise for a beginner?

I wouldn’t over complicate it and get them to stick to the basics, and generally this would be a carb/protein/fat ration of 40/40/20, although obviously this would depend on the individual and their own personal starting point of body composition and goals.

With nutrition covered talk us through your choice of supplements?

I’m sponsored by Extreme Nutrition and mainly use their products which are of the highest quality. I use Extreme Whey, Extreme Pro 6 and Extreme Glutamine; other supplements I take are a variety of multiminerals and multivitamins, Udo’s Oil (essential fatty acids). Pre comp I also include BCAA’s three times daily.

Which supplements do you feel our KagedMuscle readers absolutely require in order to maximize their gains?

Extreme Whey and Extreme Pro 6
There is no substitute for a good quality diet, but I believe to get the necessary nutritional requirement needed to maximize gains, supplementing a healthy diet with a good quality protein powder, such as Extreme Pro 6 will help achieve a positive nitrogen balance for maximizing muscle growth.

Yes!!!

If so, why is this?

I think advice from someone who is classed as an experienced athlete will support an individual in reaching their personal goals. Knowledge is a powerful tool in achievement and it is important within the bodybuilding world to share this knowledge with others. It is rewarding both for the giver of the advice and the receiver. I have learnt what I know now from other successful athletes and I continue to learn and expand my knowledge of diet, nutrition and training. I think it is a great idea for members to be able to have tailor made plans written by experts and I am sure this will support them in maximizing their potential.

Finally, let the KagedMuscle fans know what part you will play with the site

I am looking forward to being a part of KagedMuscle and I am available to answer questions, post on the forum and provide members with interesting articles. Also after my contest preparation has finished I will be able to prioritize more time to supporting members with tailor made plans. First of all, thank you very much Jody for joining the KagedMuscle team. I’m sure our fans will enjoy having you on the forums, reading about you and learning from you.

Again, Jody thanks ever so much for coming on here to talk to us. KagedMuscle is very happy to have you on board and we look forward to hearing from you on a regular basis.