20 Questions with Cover Model Lexi Berriman
1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Lexi Berriman?
My full name is Alexandria Diana Berriman born in Detroit, MI. I was raised on a farm in West Branch, MI where I believe I built most of "who" I am. I am a early riser, hard working, dedicated, strong, driven and highly motivated girl! I don't believe I'm better then anyone but humility is a trait I cherish.
2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?
My family is all over! My parents were in michigan still until my father just sadly passed a couple months ago, so we moved my mom to Texas with my sister. My oldest sister and the reason I got into fitness is still back home, but my brother is in California. Friends that I keep close to me are back home, a couple in Vegas, and a bunch in California. I am very lucky to have such an amazing supportive group of people in my town, across the country and social media!
3) How did you start competing in figure?
I got started in figure as a joke to my boss at 24 hour fitness. We were at an event and he said "Lexi u have a great physique to compete".. I jokingly told him he should train me for one! His words stuck with me "I only train winners" whoa! What pressure! So I started his plan, and I won my first show.
4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?
I must do my very best to come in lean enough without being stringy. I like hard but my body is always under immense stress due to my insane work schedule.
5) What is your idea of what judges want in a Figure competitor? Do you think judges are clear enough with competitors about how they want you on stage? It seems in Europe they are very clear unlike in the USA and now in Canada things are confusing.
I think the judges want "our personal best". I personally think that each judge can see and appreciate each physique individually, but if we're not at "our personal best" then it's not enough. Opinions can vary judge to judge, but we all know what we are getting into when we get on stage.
6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!
I know exactly what I need to work on. I need to tighten up my conditioning to bring in my legs a little more, and I need to build up my shoulders.
7) What is your typical training routine in the gym (per day, include sets and reps!) How much cardio do you do before a show?
I do a 5 day split one day off then repeat. Sets range from 4-6 sets for my first exercise reps high to warm up. Then mostly 3-4 sets 10-12 reps for all upper body exercises. Leg day I try to have one heavy day 3 sets 15-20reps and one light day 4-6 sets 20+ reps.
Cardio before my show starts with 45 min increments and then adjust as my body changes or doesn't change.
8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show)
Each show has changed as my body adapts to prep. So basic layout
Mon-Wed
1)eggs oats
2)chicken and broccoli
3)tuna, almonds
4)fish and sweet potato
5)fish and asparagus
Thurs I drop eggs for chicken
Friday I add in red meat and more oats
Saturday is all depending on how I look! Some shows I was bloated so I needed to flush, but my last 3 shows I was flat so I needed more food to fill out.
9) How do you go about dropping your water before the day of the show? How much water do you drink the day of the show. Please be specific.
I usually drop water day by day
Thurs 1gallon
Fri 1/2 gallon
Sat sip
But last show I found that I don't bloat if I keep water up til I get on stage.
10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you looked up to?
Motivation comes from within! I love to workout thanks to my sister! I always have and I ALWAYS will whether I compete for a long one or not. I also get motivated watching my fitness family, clients, friends and my coach. I do look up to Erin Stern like no other.
11) Please tell us an interesting experience you had at a show recently, be it a fun thing or something rather not so fun?
Yes! At the Orange County Muscle Classic in Aug last year... It was a last min decision to try and re qualify here. I ran into maybe 20 or more people that follow me on FB, Twitter, IG... And it was amazing! They all showed me so much love it was the best experience. I was lucky enough to win overall at this show, so it made my experience that much sweeter.
12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed?
I love that these competitions have help bring awareness to fitness and health. People love to compete! It gives us a chance to compete In what we love to do with our bodies.
I would love for awareness of positive attitudes to be acknowledged because there's nothing worse then a sour face for someone who thought they should win. We are in a subjective sport so we need to be prepared to go in 100%. The rest in in the judges hands.
13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?
Personal life has been challenging just because I have had to deal with the hardest thing in the world when I lost my dad just a short time ago. The one person I. The world I loved more then anything passed away. I've never gone through such a depression, but I made it with support of people that love me.
14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc...
I did change a lot! My body was on fire and Doing great after competing from May- Aug so by my last show I needed to keep water up and increase my carbs so I didn't lose muscle!
15) What do you think of bikini division?
I was told by a girl I have the perfect backside for bikini.... I laughed... I love the division because it creates a stage for girls that don't like as much muscle as figure and physique. I think it's perfect addition to NPC. I don't see it ever being for me only because I love size!
16) What are your favorite foods to eat right after you compete on a Saturday night?
I MUST have a steak after I get off stage! I love red meat and a good steak and sweet potato (with real butter and brown sugar and honey) is just what I want. I do love sweets though so I always end with dessert!
17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?
I was raised on the farm. I truly believe it's how I'm lucky enough to gain size easier then some. I was brought up bailing hay, throwing rock, shoveling horse stalls and pasture, and cutting down our fire wood. I still remember walking through the forest with trees on our shoulders all the way to the front yard where we chopped it all up to burn inside.
18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?
I was home schooled from 7th grade on so I didn't play sports. I adored the Karate kid and Bruce lee movies though,so I took up martial arts. I received my 2nd degree black belt at age 15 and have continued training on and off in many styles.
19) What is a typical day in the life of Lexi Berriman? From waking up to until going to bed?
Well, I am crazy busy always working so...
5am wake for clients at 24hour fitness by 6am until 9am.
9am am cardio
10am eat breakfast
11am train more clients
12pm go home and take a nap
3pm get up eat and go train and pm cardio
6pm eat again head to 2nd job at Caesers palace (eat rest of my meals in between tables)
2am leave work
230-3am Home- shower- sleep->repeat
I'm off Fri sat all day and Sunday day so I catch up on sleep these days!
20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do you specifically do in your job?
I am a master trainer at 24 hour fitness In Las Vegas, so I make my own schedule train, coach, diet planning and anything else they need from me.
I also am a server/ bartender at Caesers Palace in Las Vegas at a small cafe style place called Munchbar
I'm Lucky enough to also be a rep for Dymatize nutrition here in Las Vegas. I do sampling of our products for the Local nutrition stores here.
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