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INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH
COLETTE NELSON
Rx: What is your full name?
Colette Nelson; soon to be Colette Palumbo.
Rx: Where were you born?
Southfield, MI. I was raised in Royal Oak, MI and went to Kimball High School
Rx : How old are you?
30, but I still feel like I am 19 years old. I was born April 5, which makes me an Aries.
Rx : Where do you live?
Long Island, New York
I lived in New York City for 7 years before moving to Long Island.
Rx: How did you get started in bodybuilding? Who was the biggest influence on you getting into the sport of bodybuilding?
I always loved the human body. I started dancing when I was six years old and always admired my Dance Teacher, Susan Panek Simon. She was actually very muscular. When I was twelve, my aunt Kathy bought me a subscription to Muscle & Fitness Magazine. I remember being in awe of Lenda Murray, Corey Everson, Rachel McLeish, and Sharon Bruneau. I loved the way their bodies looked. I couldn’t imagine ever achieving such perfection. I started teaching aerobics at 17 years old and thought that was the way to achieve a muscular body. It wasn’t until I was 19 years old and under the direction of REAL bodybuilders at the Powerhouse Gym in Lansing, MI that I learned how to lift REAL weights.
One of my first encounters and inspirations was Judy Moshowsky. She was a female bodybuilder who worked at the front desk at Powerhouse Gym and was actively competing at that time. I couldn’t believe the discipline and dedication. You couldn’t help but admire her. I was hooked on the feeling of being strong. I was never sure where this obsession was going to take me; however, I knew that I loved training. Although, I didn’t give up teaching aerobics, I made my WEIGHT TRAINING priority.
Rx : Who is your favorite women bodybuilder?
Andrulla Blanchette, Lenda Murry, Cory Everson, and when she was a bodybuilder, Sharon Bruneau
Rx : How would you best describe yourself to the bodybuilding fans that do not really know you yet?
I am very approachable. I think that everyone has a special gift that needs to be shared. So, don’t be afraid to say, Hello. I am always in a good mood and just want everyone to be happy. If I can play a small role in helping people feel better about themselves, than it was a good day.
Rx : What are you feelings about the current state of affairs in women’s bodybuilding? What would you do to help change those trends? Any solutions?
Female Bodybuilding is caught in the middle of a crisis. With the introduction of the Figure division, it forces the bodybuilders to be even more extreme.
In 2000, the NPC and IFBB announced that they were no longer going to reward MUSCULARITY. They said that they were now looking for very feminine women (with muscle). At first it seemed as though they were rewarding this type of “watered down” look, but the direction might be shifting. According to FLEX, MUSCLE & FITNESS and MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT, women bodybuilding has little marketability. You rarely see photo spreads of female bodybuilders. All you see is Figure, Fitness girls, and bikini models with over-sized implants. Furthermore, the only display of female muscle can be seen in the pages of MUSCLE ELEGANCE, which is all nude and doesn’t exactly do anything for legitimizing the sport of female bodybuilding? It seems that the only way to make money as a female bodybuilder is through posing nude, performing muscle worship sessions, domination, or prostitution. It really shouldn’t have to be this way. There should be more opportunities for female bodybuilders to showcase their physiques. It is a shame because there are a lot of women that have beautiful muscular physiques and faces that would do well as cover girls on any muscle magazine. The women should really pay special attention to their femininity. No amount of muscle is worth sacrificing femininity. Also, when competing, it is important to pay attention to hair, make-up, complexion, and overall presentation. Hopefully, more magazine editors will take chances and do more training, diet, and photo spreads on female bodybuilders.
Rx : What are some of your best lifts?
110# DB Triceps Dumbbell extension
100# DB incline chest press
265# squat all the way to the floor
315# bent over dumbbell row
75# alternating DB curls
135# straight bar curls
Rx : What gyms do you train at?
I have always been about variety. Due to my love for teaching, I currently teach classes at Bellmore Gold’s Gym , Bellmore, NY. Farmingdale/Levittown Synergy , Bellmore Powerhouse , and Amityville Dolphin Fitness .
Rx : What nutritional supplements do you take on a regular basis?
I love Juice Plus+, Calcium 1200 mg , Vitamin C 500 mg, and when I remember, Creatine.
Rx: What were some of the contests you have done. Have you won any titles yet?
I have competed every year since the year 2000.
2000 NPC Nationals- 6 th place MW
2001 NPC USA- 1 st place HW
2001 NPC North American- 1 st Place HW
2001 NPC Nationals- 3 rd place HW
2002 NPC USA- 1 st place HW
2003 NPC USA – 2 nd Place HW
2003 NPC Nationals- out of the top 15
Rx : What is the next NPC contest you are competing in?
I am preparing for the 2004 NPC Team Universe and IFBB North American
Rx : What is your ultimate goal as a female bodybuilder?
At one point in my life, I wanted to turn professional and compete on the Olympia stage. Now, I want to help the women to make money and present themselves better on stage. I have recently gotten into web site development. I currently do my own site,
I have loved getting away from the gym environment all day and being creative. I love helping the women set up their own website, displaying their ideas, and motivating them to sell themselves in a positive light (via their website member’s gallery). I also enjoy choreographing posing routines. Right now, I charge $300 per routine. I also help with mandatory poses and 60-second routines. With a new direction in my career, I still would like to turn pro; however, it is not my primary focus anymore. I have learned to be more balanced. I love to compete, and hopefully one day, I will get there.
Rx : You main criticism in the past has been your legs? What are your plans to improve your symmetry?
I started bodybuilding when I was 19. I foolishly only trained upper body while in College; I figured I got plenty of legwork via my aerobics classes. Boy, was I wrong. This was the perfect way to make my legs skinnier. When I moved to NYC in 1996, I finally started training legs. No wonder there is such a discrepancy between my upper and lower body. Also, if you look at my hip structure, I have NO hips. I have a very narrow pelvis. Structurely, I don’t have the genetics for HUGE legs. I have made improvements with Orthodics and different foot stances when I squat. I lightened my weights and work on full range of movement. I finally am able to FEEL my legs. I think it is just going to take time. I also need to be careful about doing too many aerobics and spinning classes.
Rx : What kind of a diet do you follow during the off-season? And pre-contest?
Diet Off-season:
I don’ t like to eat a lot of carbs-- either off-season or per contest.
In the off-season, I have carbs earlier in the day, while the evening meal is typically a protein and vegetable.
I just eat; I don’t worry about how much. I just make sure that I eat my 6 meals a day and every meal always has a protein source. My problem is that I am always hungry. I have never had a problem with eating. I don’t think I have ever missed a meal in my life.
Contest Diet:
High protein, Low carb, moderate fat, diet.
Rx : Do you think that you can successfully compete in the IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding division?
Actually, I am not sure that I am willing to take my body to the level necessary to be a HIGHLY competitive IFBB pro. I do think that I could stand on stage at the OLYMPIA, but, those women are amazing. I just want to say that I was on the OLYMPIA stage. That would be winning in my eyes. It isn’t about being Ms. Olympia- it is about the journey.
Rx: Aside from bodybuilding, do you have a real job?
I am a web designer, registered dietitian, and Certified Diabetes Educator.
You can see some of my websites on www.citygirldesigns.com or my website www.colettenelson.com. If you are interested in having me design a website for you- please contact me via email, colettey@msn.com
Rx: Do you have a website or an email address for people to contact you?
www.colettenelson.com this is my website and via the SHOP you can purchase a website profile.
colettey@msn.com
Rx: Would you like to “plug” anything?
Currently- if you are looking for a web designer, or someone to update your current site, please, contact me.
I also am available for posing instruction and choreography.
If you are interested in a nutrition consultation or if you have TYPE 1 diabetes and need help integrating your insulin/food regime into your bodybuilding life-style, please contact me. I am a certified diabetes educator and this is my specialty.
Rx : Colette, I’m going to say a name. Respond with whatever comes to mind:
Rachel McLish? An Icon!
Cory Everson? One of the all time best female bodybuilders
Arnold Schwarzenegger? The Terminator
Lenda Murray? AMAZING, she just keeps getting better!
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