Where and when were you born? -Ontario, Canada - January 30 What is your profession? -Internets Hottest Muscle Diva What kind of activities/sports did you do before you started lifting weights? -Track and field, volleyball, badminton, baseball, soccer, mostly in middle-high school days. After that I was a waitress and people always told me I had big arms from carrying the tray. It isn’t a sport but some days I was really running around the restaurant/bar How and when did you get involved into lifting weights? -I always wanted to go to the gym but didn’t know what I was doing once I got in the door. I was timid. I met a man at the restaurant I worked in, Greg. He took me to the gym on our first date. I have been ever since. He has been my trainer for 9 years. He still has to remind me how to do some exercisesJ I would be lost in the gym with out him. He knows my weak spots and when to push me. He has done my dieting and contest prep and also worked with Nadia Nardi for the 2004 competitive season. He helped bring her from a 9th placing at 2003 Canadians all the way to 2nd place this years Canadians. She showing up in her leanest conditioning in her career. Greg really knows how to dial in an athlete in those last important weeks of the prep. “Big G” was the one who got me interested in weights at the beginning. Was it a goal for you to compete in bodybuilding competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body? -I never really thought about bodybuilding professionally. I got an email from Denise Masino and she wanted to feature me in her magazine. She flew me out to Bahamas for a 10 day shoot and she told me that I should try competing. I was shocked that a woman at this level in the sport was telling me that I should compete. Never really gave it that much thought. I got back home and 2 months later I did my first show and won the whole thing! She was a big inspiration for me. I now want to compete until I make it to the top. You have to have dreams rightJ What was your first competition and how did you place? -My first competition was June 2003 in Ft St John, BC, The Northern Classic. I placed first in the heavyweights and won the overall as well. It was such a tremendous feeling being on stage for the very first time, showing off my muscles. I used to intimidate a lot of people with my muscle’s in my previous lines of work so now to be appreciated for it was something else!!! And which contest has been the biggest success for you yet? -The 2004 Canadian Nationals. It was a great show and I was so happy to have come in second in the heavyweight division. It was quite the accomplishment for me. Earlier this year I lost one of my breast implants just overnight, it was gone. So this was something to overcome that also set my training back. All in all I couldn’t be happier. I had some shoots set up for after the show and that is always a great time. Since competing, I have met some really wonderful people. Could you please add a history of all contests that you have entered so far? -Ft St John-Northern Classic- June 2003 first heavyweight and overall -BC Provincials-September 6 ,2003-first heavyweight and overall -Canadian Nationals September 21, 2003 -4th heavyweight -Canadian Nationals August 21, 2004 -2nd heavyweight -Canadian Nationals - September 3rd, 2005 - 1st middleweights and overall (earned my pro card) Please describe a typical day in the life of Autumn Raby. -I wake up to my 90lb dog pressed up against my pillow. She sleeps on the bed and takes up most of the room. I grab a coffee and get changed for the gym. My time at the gym varies depending on what body parts I am training that day. 1.5-2.5 hours a day maximum. I get home, have a shake and then get the dog and take her for a walk in the park/woods. She waits patiently at the door for her collar and leash to be put on as soon as I get home from the gym. We walk for a while and I suppose you could say this is my cardio. I get back home and have a shower. Lunch is around this time so I eat again. I eat a lot more when not on a diet. I have a website that keeps me very busy so off to the couch I go. This is where I do most of my work. I get on the computer and start going through emails, spam and do up my daily letter for the day. I keep a personal journal of my day, events, etc on the site. It gives my members a little of me on a personal level. I love corresponding with them and offering any advice I can give. I absolutely love what I do and am happy I can give some joy/pleasure to others out there. After my computer work is done I get my video orders ready to ship out the next morning. I seem to always be busy doing something. Between magazine/video shoots, film shooting, editing videos, spending tons of time on the computer, house work, yard work, and training, my days are pretty full for the most part. I am very fortunate to have a successful website and that gives me the opportunity to work from home. I love being home. I travelled around Canada for the past 5 years as a Feature Adult Entertainer. I won the Ms Nude BC crown in 1998 and had a great time on the road, travelling and doing my exotic Fire Shows. I think that has helped me when it comes to posing on stage. I have been retired from Adult Entertaining for over a year. My real passion is bodybuilding and now my focus is on that entirely. So after all the computer work is done it is usually time to eat again. I have dinner and then my day is over. I like relaxing on the couch, watching tv, sometimes napping before making it to the bedroom. I train pretty hard so I am pretty spent by early in the evening. My body tells me I have to shut down and you shut down. The life of a bodybuilder/internet diva. I wouldn’t have it any other way! Please tell me something about your daily training routine. -When it comes to training I am very intense. I push myself right to the edge. I train very heavy and that makes me feel strong inside and out. I am proud of myself when I can push a little extra week after week. There is a saying in my gym, “If you can see it, you can achieve it.” I can see it. How often do you train in a week? -I train 5 days on and 2 days off. What are the main differences when you train for a competition and in off-season? -When you are training for a competition you focus on getting lean and getting as much muscle definition as possible. You dry out as much as you can which for the most part makes you feel pretty crappy. You look amazing but at times you couldn’t feel worse. When you are in off-season your tend to be stronger and the goal is to pack on as much muscle as you feel is necessary for the next years competition. Either way I still train hard. I suppose that is the key. Give it all you have and that way you can’t be disappointed in your efforts or the outcome of the competition! If you don’t mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)? -best bench-205lbs -best sqat-275lbs -contest measurements-39-28-36 -bi’s-14 Ľ, legs 22inches weight 129lbs Which body part is your best in your opinion? -People tell me that I have a freaky looking back. I have to agree. What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don’t like so much? -My favorite exercise would be dumbbell curls. My least favorite would be abs so I never do them. Judging in Women’s Bodybuilding has always been criticised in one or the other way. Please tell me your honest thoughts about today’s judging in Women’s Bodybuilding. -All I can say is this is an individual sport. If you go there knowing that you have done the best in YOUR eyes than that is the main thing. You should be proud of getting on that stage no matter what your placing. I couldn’t tell you what goes through the judges minds. So far I have not had any complaints. It must be a hard job and everyone can’t win. You know you have to have muscle and be well conditioned. That is all I want when I go into the competition. The rest is really out of my hands. I am sure the people judge the way they see fit. Please tell me about what else you are doing when you don’t work out (profession, hobbies, etc.) -President Autumn Multi Media Inc. which is an On line e-commerce site www.autumnsparadise.com is my fan club. -personal training -internet consultation for contests/diet -modelling/video work/ b-movies -magazine model-Muscle Elegance Magazine -real estate -photography What are your future plans for 2004/2005? -I am off season until February 2005 so that means a lot of hard training over the winter. I will start my dieting again in February. I will be going to the Bahamas in April to shoot another movie and some modelling work with Muscle Elegance Magazine. I come home to start on my prep for the Canadian Nationals. I will continue doing my fan site as that keeps me very busy and I love doing it!!! I hope to do more location shoots this year, possibly after the Canadians. I have a ton of fans to keep me busy but always love new ones. If you have any questions or comments please drop me a line at [email protected] or fan mail is always welcome. Please send to: Autumn Raby PO Box 192 Trail, BC V1R 2B6 Canada I am always looking for models to shoot with. If you are a Canadian “fitness-muscle diva” or just looking to expand your portfolio and earn some extra money please drop me a line. I am always scouting for Denise Masino and her “Muscle Elegance Magazine” so if you have a question, just ask. I would also like to say "thank you" to all you Andy's Muscle Goddess Fans! Your emails and support in my bodybuilding career really mean a lot to me. It is really nice to have so many fans;) News: I am so thrilled that I won the Overall at the Canadian Nationals and I am now an IFBB Pro!!! This win has opened up a few doors for me and I am excited about my new adventures in bodybuilding. I would like to thank all of my fans and I really appreciate your support over the years. As for my Pro debut...maybe at the Arnold Classic in 2006??? It would be awesome to see some of you fans there. I will be sure to keep you all posted!!! *My STORE is now open www.autumns-store.com :) *New column found at www.seriousaboutmuscle.com updates in "Ask Autumn..." *2005 Nationals contest photos available at www.hardfitness.com and www.ftvideo.com *Contest coverage also at www.northernphysique.com ...article about me coming there soon :) *NEW!.... www.teamautumn.com mainstream bodybuilding site. My supplements/clothing will be available at my store here as well. The clothing line is outstanding....lots on the go..... :) |