FitGems Nation: Thank you for wanting to be interviewed by us, Christy! Let's start off with telling us a little bit about yourself (name/occupation/how long you've been in the fitness industry, etc.)
Christy Resendes: Thank you so much for taking the time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication that all of these women have put into their physiques. Hi, I am Christy Resendes, I am a personal trainer/coach with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. I am a proud mother of three beautiful children. I started back when I did my first body building competition at the age of 15. You do the math for that! haha
FGN: How did you get involved in the fitness industry in the first place?
CR: My mother was a huge influence and great inspiration that lead me into the fitness industry. The year before I had competed in my 1st show my mother had competed and won so I decided that I would win that same show the following year, and I did.
FGN: What do you enjoy most about the fitness industry (competing, modeling, etc.)?
CR: I love it all! I am so grateful to have met so many amazing people and to have had as many opportunities and experiences as I have and I hope that it only gets better!
FGN: Which do you feel is your greatest strength while training: cardio or weight-training?
CR: In my opinion, they're both extremely important for two completely different reasons. However, my greatest strength is probably cardio considering how much of it I do and the results it gives me in the last couple weeks before getting on stage. On the other hand, I enjoy weightlifting so much more.
FGN: What is the hardest thing you have had to deal with when it comes to the fitness industry?
CR: Not eating whatever I want! Lol
I guess it would be trying to give the judges what they want, because sometimes this can vary.
FGN: Many people call you a muscle control expert, with the way you able to control your biceps, pecs/chest, and especially your quads. What made you discover that you had talent like that with your physique?
CR: I didn’t know this
Well, when I train I really concentrate on flexing and contracting the muscles that I am using, which has helped me to be able to control them.
FGN: Besides your muscle control, many consider you pound-for-pound one of the strongest women in the fitness world? What are some of your strongest feats?
CR: Really?! I didn't know that either, I am very flattered. The most I have curled for one arm would be 60 pounds, bench is 195 pounds for 2 reps, dead lifted was 405 for 2 reps no straps raw, and I’ve squatted 405 pounds for reps raw. I think that I am strong natural athlete, but probably not the strongest.
FGN: Over the last few years, you have competed in many arm wrestling events. What made you decide to go into professional arm wrestling, and what has been your greatest achievement thus far?
CR: I didn’t really decide to, it kind of just happened; I was doing really well and just kept competing in different competitions. WAL (World Armwrestling League) last year was probably one of my best experiences; I was able to win the lefty middle weight national title.
FGN: When you are not competing in arm wrestling events, do you still do physique shows? If so, what division and federation do you compete in?
CR: I did an NPC show in Vermont about 6wks ago and placed 2nd in physique open and over 35. I am hoping to compete at the national level this year.
FGN: With the rise of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Periscope, Instagram, etc,), how important do you feel it is for people in the fitness industry to participate in it?
CR: Personally, I think it's very important for athletes to participate and share our work on multiple social media platforms, to inspirer and be inspired. It's refreshing to hear someone's story of how they've transformed because of you and your story, and it makes you want to keep pursuing dreams and goals.
FGN: Who (living or dead) do you look up to for inspiration, whether they are part of the fitness industry or not?
CR: My children, they always keep me pushing. They are my world!
FGN: I know everyone wants to be the first "them" (as it should be), but is there any competitor (past or present) that you look at and say, "Okay...that's the look I'm aiming for"?
CR: I admired Linda Murray, but my body structure is much different symmetrically.
FGN: If you weren’t part of the fitness industry, what would you be doing now?
CR: In the past had a great interest in cultural anthropology, child psychology, and I have also contemplated teaching.
FGN: What (if anything) would you change about the fitness industry as a whole (NOT just about the division you compete in)?
CR: To be honest I feel that change in some areas would be nice, but that’s just from a competitors view. From a business standpoint the same “change” could ruin the organization. Everything changes with time; it’s our ability to adapt that keeps us in the game.
FGN: After your competition days are completed, how do you plan on give back to the fitness industry?
CR: Personally I don’t think I will ever truly stop, it’s a part of me. But I try to give back every day with coaching competitors, personal training, nutrition advice, posing pointers, keeping people motivated and in turn they give me inspiration and passion.
FGN: Bottom line, what is YOUR ultimate goal in the fitness industry, the one thing you feel that you HAVE to do before you call it a career?
CR: It’s been my dream for a very long time to obtain my IFBB pro card as a natural athlete. I want to inspire people and show them that it is possible to be natural and get to the top.
FGN: Any closing words for your fans and supporters?
CR: I am sooooo flipping Blessed!!!! You all humble me and keep me going. Thank you all for believing in me and pushing me to the next level on the journey. I am very grateful.
FGN: Again, thank you so much for doing this interview with us! For those that want to keep up on your future competitions and other plans, how can fans contact you? (Facebook fan page, Twitter, Instagram, email, website, blog, other social media outlets, etc.) Also, if there's anything you want to plug in, you are more than welcome to do so.
CR: Thank you soo much for this opportunity!!
Email: christysch@hotmail.com
https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChristyResendes/posts
https://www.instagram.com/christyresendes/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/christyresendes/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEAcD-nUQi2-eadHBP2TRAA
https://www.flickr.com/photos/christyresendes/
https://www.pinterest.com/christyresendes/
https://www.tumblr.com/search/christy%20resendes
Like we said before, this woman is a Jack-of-All-Trades. Best of luck to Christy in future events!
