Interview with Stacy Wright

A fan favorite as well as a FitGems favorite, Stacy Wright seemed prime to become a pro fitness superstar during her days in the NPC. A few years ago, she became an IFBB Fitness Pro and has since become one of the top names in the sport with her routine and crowd-pleasing physique. She has recently been away from the stage for a bit, because she gave birth to her first child, Mason! While she is definitely enjoying motherhood, we expect to see Mrs. Wright step back on stage sooner than later. Stacy was gracious enough to do this interview for FitGems. (All photos were provided by Stacy herself.)

FitGems Nation: First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Stacy Wright: Hello! Thank you for the interview! I’m Stacy Wright. I’m 28 years old from Charleston, WV. I’m an IFBB Professional Fitness Competitor. I also work full time as a registered nurse and personal trainer. I have the greatest husband ever and next month we’ll be celebrating our 8 year anniversary! We are very excited about our new addition to our family, Mason. He was born in March and we couldn’t be happier!

FitGems: How did you get involved in the fitness industry in the first place?
Stacy: It all started with cheerleading in high school. We started training in the football gym and I was hooked! I had seen the girls in the muscle magazines and had always wanted to look like them. Once I started on that path, there was no looking back.

FitGems: What do you enjoy most about competing?
Stacy: The part I like most about competing is the journey of constantly challenging myself to do better and step up my game! Each show I try to bring in a better physique and routine. It’s an ongoing journey and I enjoy every step along the way!

FitGems: Which do you feel is your greatest strength when training: cardio or weight-training?
Stacy: Weight training by far. I love pushing my body, perfecting my form, seeing the change and shape of my muscles! It’s very empowering!

FitGems: Recently you had your first child. CONGRATS! How does it feel to be a mommy?
Stacy: It is the absolute best feeling in the world! Words cannot even begin to describe it! Mason is the best baby ever and is learning and growing every day! He’s truly amazing and definitely a miracle.

FitGems: How has your training been affected from when you competed without baby to post-pregnancy? Stacy: The main thing is that I can’t just get up and go to the gym. I either have to make sure the nursery is open so I can take him with me, or I have to coordinate schedules with my husband so he can keep him while I workout. So with that it just simply means we have to be much more organized. =) It was also a challenge in getting my fitness strength moves back. As my abdominal muscles were very stretched out, I didn’t realize how much core strength I’d lost. I had to relearn things like the pike and straddle hold from scratch. Thankfully there’s muscle memory and I have worked very hard and carefully to get those moves back without injuring myself.

Stacy, Andrew Wright, and the newest addition to the Wright family: Mason!

FitGems: Who (living or dead) do you look up to for inspiration, whether they are part of the fitness industry or not?
Stacy: I will say that Adela is an awesome inspiration and mentor to us fitness girls! She’s always there and makes time in her busy schedule to help us out in any way she can. A special Thank You to her for that!

FitGems:  If you weren’t part of the fitness industry, what would you be doing now?
Stacy: If I wasn’t a part of the competitive fitness industry, I would still be working out and living the lifestyle. It’s simply a part of me.

FitGems: What (if anything) would you change about the fitness industry?
Stacy: In the perfect world, it would be much cheaper to compete. =) That’s something that can’t be changed though, as we all need to make a living.

FitGems: What advice do you have for anyone wanting to get fit, especially mothers?
Stacy: Make the time to take care of yourself and set an example to your little ones of how to live a healthy lifestyle in an unhealthy world. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of anyone else. Just get organized, plan ahead, and make it happen!

FitGems: After competition, what do you plan to do to give back to the industry?
Stacy: I would love to continue judging shows and possibly have my own show here in West Virginia someday. I also plan to continue helping others prep for shows and being a mentor to those in the industry, as well as those just trying to improve their health and body.

FitGems: Any closing words for your fans and supporters?
Stacy: If you can dream it, you can do it! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

FitGems: How can fans contact you if they want to keep up with your career? (Facebook fan page, Twitter, email, website, blog, other social media outlet, etc.)
Stacy: Absolutely! I love hearing from fans and fellow competitors! Feel free to contact me through any of these outlets. I have multiple ways to follow me or contact me. You can check out my website, facebook, and twitter pages at the links below.
www.StacyWright.net https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Wright-IFBB-Fitness-Pro/139081829444854 https://twitter.com/StacyDawnWright

Once again, we thank Stacy for taking the time to interview with us. We wish her all the success in the world on returning to the stage soon and on motherhood!

Sharing a TenSpot with...Stacy Wright (Interviewed by dallas3)

For those that know me, you might know dallas3, one of my best friends in this industry. For those unaware, he has closed his site Iron Bizz and will be incorporating a good deal of the site material to the main FitGems site. In addition, he did two interviews which I will post on the blog (with his full permission). The first interview from dallas3 is of IFBB Fitness Pro and 2011 FitGems Sponsored Athlete Stacy Wright! In addition to being sponsored by FitGems, she is also sponsored by Labrada and ABSolute Fitness. (NOTE: This interview was done prior to her stepping on stage for the first time at the New York Pro Fitness)

Stacy's Pro Debut in New York
Photo credit: Bodybuilding.com

DALLAS3: What made you want to make a career out of fitness?
STACY WRIGHT: While I would love to say this is my career, it is not. It doesn’t pay my bills in that aspect. I’m actually a full time registered nurse and independent personal trainer.
As for competing…I love to perform and I love to compete. The combination of muscle and balanced symmetry along with the fitness routine just fits ‘me’! I love everything about it!

DALLAS3: Best advice you’ve received in the industry?
STACY: Be patient and work to improve “YOU” each and every time you step on stage. Worry about the things you have control over, like your diet and training. Never about things you have no control over, like your placing in a show.

DALLAS3: Advice for women wanting to make a career in the industry?
STACY: It’s more than what you do on stage. It’s about networking, being a positive role model. Never sell yourself short of who you truly are. Then when you DO have a career in the fitness industry, it’s something you can truly be proud of!

DALLAS3:What would you like to do in the industry that you haven’t done yet?
STACY: Step on that pro stage! I need to make a name for myself within the IFBB. The goal is not necessarily to win #1. I know that’s not realistic. My goal is to be one they say- WOW! Now she is something. And remember my name when they leave.

DALLAS3: Best way you’ve found in getting sponsorship, booth work, in print ads, photo shoots, etc?
STACY: Be yourself and network. This is a pretty small industry so it’s easy to get in contact with people. It’s all about working your way up the ladder!

DALLAS3: Go out and seek potential sponsors or build yourself up first then go ask?
STACY: A little bit of both. You have to have something to offer, so building yourself up a bit gives you the confidence and knowledge to seek those sponsors. Do your research always before you jump the gun.

DALLAS3: Which do you like better, modeling or competing?
STACY: Competing! Although I do love getting some pretty photos in the process. If modeling would take off, I would be open to that option along with my competitions.


DALLAS3: Anyone you model your career after?
STACY: I’ve taken advice from many people and parts of their careers, but I have to be me and do what I think is best in representing myself. I’ve learned the hard way on a few things, and we all live and learn. I now am okay with not being the best or the most well known.. as long as I am staying true to myself!

DALLAS3: Best way you’ve saved on costs?
STACY: Sponsorships. Hand-me-downs. Wearing the same suits to shows throughout each year. Consignment stores. Choreographing my own routine and doing my own training and diet with my husband. There are many ways to go about saving in such an expensive sport.

DALLAS3:Finish the sentence….In 5 years I want to….
STACY: qualify for and compete at the Olympia. =) That was an easy one.

For more on Stacy and her sponsors, check out the following links: 

StacyWright.net
Labrada.com
TameeMarie.webs.com
DJMyRoutine.com
Endimanche Designs : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Endimanche-Designs/102781786449481

Pledge for Pushups (Stacy Wright's Fundraiser)

Stacy's going to be "pleding for pushups" to raise money for the 2011 season!
Photo credit: Muscular Development

To help raise money for the 2011 competition season (her first as an pro fitness competitor), IFBB Pro Stacy Wright has created her own fundraiser, by pledging for pushups! She's challenging herself to see how many pushups she can do, and you out there can pledge any amount per pledge. 10 cents per pushup, 10 dollars per pushup, 50 dollars per pushup...whatever you can pledge will do. This is definitely one way to put the FUN in FUNdraising.

My hats off to Stacy for coming up with a unique way to not only get money to compete, but to establish herself as someone who's willing to go the extra mile to make a name for herself and stand out. 

To get involved please email Stacy at Stacy@StacyWright.net with your pledges! She will be post the final pushup video on her website blog. When that happens, we'll let you all know when that will take place.

Good luck to you, Stacy!