Where and when were you born? I was born in Livonia, Michigan January 2, 1971 What is your profession? I currently work in restaurant management. I run a local Irish Pub Were you involved in sports or fitness prior to bodybuilding and how did you get started with weight training? I’ve always been active. I ran track in high school, was a chearleader, did gymnastics...etc. In my junior year I took a powerlifting class as an elective and that was it, I was hooked on weight training. Being short and stocky my whole life, I was able to add muscle very quickly. A security guard at my high school was a competitive bodybuilder. He said I had the genetics to do it, so I started training to do the NPC Jr Michigan in 1989 with his help. That show never panned out as I became pregnant with my son, Joshua. I went back to weight training in 1995 when Josh started school and it has been a constant evolution ever since. I did my first competition in 2002. The Natural Michigan, where I placed 2nd in the middleweight division. 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? Definately something that grew on me over time. Can you give me your competition history? 2002 The Natural Michigan 2nd place middleweight 2003 The NPC Michigan 2nd place middleweight 2003 Central States 3rd place middleweight 2006 The NPC Michigan 1st place middleweight, 2nd Masters 2007 The NPC Jr USA 1st place light heavyweight Which contest has been your biggest success; which has had the most meaning to you? So far Jr Usa has been my biggest accomplishment, but I still want the overall! Please tell me something about your training routine (ie: how many days per week / training split /cardio, etc.) Off season I train 5 days per wk with 2 days off then back on. Monday...Chest Tuesday...Bis and tris Wednesday...Quads and abs Thursday....shoulders, calves Friday...Back and Hams I will admit, I do very little cardio in the gym in the off season. I believe my body responds better to it when Im dieting if I don’t do it a lot. Maybe 3 days a wk for 20 min. I like to ride my bike, go for long walks with my dog...etc I am also a competitive powerlifter, so in the off season, I train hard and heavy and you can ask the average powerlifter how much cardio they do....you may get a chuckle out of them....lol What is your favorite exercise in the gym and which one you don’t like so much? I love training!! I don’t really have a favorite or not favorite part, although nothing looks better than a pair of pumped up shoulders!! Which body part is your best in your opinion? I think my best body part is my back. I have good genetics for this. My back is wide and has good muscle development. Must be all those pull-ups and deadlifts! I also have good calves. They are about 16 inches. If you don’t mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)? Bis.....14.5 in Chest...38 in Thighs..24.5 in Calves..16 in I currently hold the state record for the womens 148 weight class in the bench press with 242 pounds. My best squat is 375 and my best deadlift is 355. What do you enjoy about training for competition....what do you enjoy about the 'off season'? I enjoy watching the transformation of my body from off season to contest. I enjoy the challenge of the diet because most people cant do it, and its nice to actually see all the hard work you do in the gym as your bodyfat melts away. Off season, well.....what can I say? Im an italian girl....I love to EAT!! I do stay with-in about 10-15 pds of my contest weight. I don’t like to get too fat in the offseason. Please describe a typical day in the life of Tracey Toth. Wake up.....COFFEE! ...EAT, clean the house, walk the dog. I run a bar/restaurant so sometimes I work 10 am -5pm and sometimes I work 5 pm- 3am....so thats a lil tough sometimes. I usually train in the evening, come home, eat, shower and sit in front of my computer and return emails or surf....etc. Please tell me about what you do when you don’t work out ( hobbies, what do you do to relax?, etc.) Well, I love to get together with friends, go out for sushi, love Starbucks too! Go on vacations to tropical places and I may be a shopaholic....lol. I am very family orientated so I love spending time with my brothers and sister. ( I have 4 brothers and one sister and 12 neices and nephews) What do you enjoy most about the bodybuilding/fitness lifestyle? What I enjoy most is the personal challenge it gives me. More than anything, I am in competition with my self. I think if you can do this sport because you love it and not get caught up in the politics, you will always be successful. Bodybuilding is not the thing in my life that defines me as a person. It is my passion and I love it.. Tell me something interesting about yourself, something people may be surprised to hear. What are your competition goals or personal future goals? As far as competition, I will compete at the Jr Nationals in Chicago June 16th. Then I will take a much needed break and go to Hawaii to see my son graduate from bootcamp. At the end of July, I will head back to Detroit Barbell and begin powerlifting season. (Time to get bigger) Next yr I plan to compete at the NPC USAs and then on to Nationals. I also would like to break my current state record in the bench. I have done it already in the gym, but now I have to do it on the platform! I would like to squat over 400 and deadlift over 375. Wish me luck! Please note: Tracey does not do sessions or wrestling of any kind. Please don't ask!! |