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Issue #61

Contents

Editorial
by Juan Carlos Lope
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20 Questions with Cover Model and NPC Figure Patty Zariello

Kim's Kounseling Korner
by Kimberly Martin

Video Interview with IFBB Pro Figure Silvana Salvati

Pictorials
Patty Zariello, Kari Williams, Megan Avalon, Clenet Vaughn and Jenny Lynn

Interview with Cristiana Casoni Pro Figure
by Anne Pietila

Video Interview with IFBB Figure Pro Irina Veselova and Robert Samborsky Part 5

Elite Fitness Newsletter
by Greg Hasberry

Video Interview with IFBB Figure Pro Irina Veselova and Robert Samborsky Part 6

 

20 Questions with Cover Model and NPC Figure Patty Zariello

Patty Zariello

1) Please introduce yourself? What makes you special? Who is Patty Zariello?

Most importantly I’m a wife and mother of three. They are the force behind everything I do. I enjoy living a healthy lifestyle and setting a good example for my children. As a certified nutrition coach and personal trainer I also love to help other people achieve their fitness goals.



2) Please tell us a bit about your family, friends and surroundings?

I am so blessed to have the most amazing and supportive family and friends. I thank God every day for them. I’ve been married for 16 years and we have two sons ages 14 and 12 and a daughter who is 8. I’m fortunate that my parents live close by and are a huge part of my life. I have two sisters and one brother who I adore with all my heart. I consider myself lucky to have great friends both new and old, especially my close group of friends that I grew up with that are so unbelievably special to me. Last by not least we have a 5 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rudy.

3) How did you start competing in figure?

I was inspired by Monica Brant and after having met her at one of her FEM Camps I decided to give it a try.

4) What is your personal policy (not what the judges want) about conditioning and muscularity when coming into a show? Soft or hard?

Well, I believe that everybody has a certain body type that fits them best. I know that I look and feel best when I’m very conditioned with a more athletic look, but I don’t necessarily think one is better than the other. Some competitors pull off a softer look beautifully and others can pull of a harder look just as well.

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.

Ha! I’m still trying to figure that one out myself. It seems as though sometimes they’re looking for one look and sometimes another. It’s definitely subjective but I kind of like that….makes you work hard at being the best version of “yourself” and just presenting it proudly on stage.

6) For the next shows what do you think you need to work on physique-wise/conditioning-wise? If anything!

I’m always working on something. Always a “work in progress”! Right now I’d like to continue working on rounding out my shoulders and adding width to my back to help make my waist look smaller.

Patty Zariello

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?

Typically I do a 4 day split working one or two body parts per day. Sets and reps vary depending on what my coach wants me to work on. Cardio varies too depending on how lean I am. Usually I’m doing at least 45 min twice a day six days a week as I a get close to show time.

8) What is your pre-contest diet? (per day, 1 week before the show) 

I am so lucky to work with the best nutritionist, Kim Oddo (www.bodybyo.com) who takes all the thinking out of it for me! I really can’t give my exact program out since that’s what I pay him for but it is definitely different for every show.

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 don’t usually have to manipulate my water too much before a show but again I leave that up to Kim and he directs me depending on how I look.

10) What motivates you to train/diet and compete? Are there any competitors you looked up to?

Monica Brant continues to be an inspiration to me. I’m also motivated just by the challenge of it all. It’s fun to watch your body change and to see how far you can take it.

11) Please tell us an interesting experience you had at a show recently, be it a fun thing or something rather not so fun?

So far all the shows have been fun but I can’t think of any out of the ordinary experiences I’ve had. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

12) What is your personal opinion about the figure, fitness, bodybuilding industry we are in? Anything you would like to see changed?  

I’m still so new to all of this so I haven’t seen anything so far that I’d want to see changed.

Patty Zariello

13) What has been your hardest challenge to overcome either in your personal life or competing career?

Definitely for me it would be the challenge of balancing it all. My priority is my family and sometimes I feel guilty when I can’t spend as much time with them as I’d like to because I have to run back to the gym to get that last cardio session in or something. Preparing for competition involves a lot of “me” time that I’m not used to.  My husband and kids have been so supportive of me though, and without that I could never compete.

14) Did you make any changes to your contest prep for your last show? Water intake, carbing up, etc... 

Again, my contest prep is always changing based on what my coach recommends after he sees me and evaluates my progress from week to week. Every prep has been different so far.

15) What do you think of working a booth at a large show? What are some tips you could give other girls that have never done it before?

I love working the booth at shows! I’m really a “people person” and I love meeting and talking to new people wherever I go so it’s the perfect environment for me. I’m proud to represent a company that’s committed to fitness and health and I do my best to show that in a professional manner. I would tell girls that have never done it to just enjoy it, have fun, smile, and be nice. It goes a long way!

16) With bikini becoming a larger attraction do you see yourself ever going into it or staying in figure? What do you think of bikini division?

I think the bikini division is great and I admire the beauty and hard work of every competitor. However right now I don’t see myself going in that direction. I just think my physique is meant for figure and I really enjoy competing in the Figure Division.

17) Please tell us about how you were raised and did you have any interesting experiences while growing up?

I was raised in a very close loving, Italian-Catholic family with two sisters and one brother. We lived in the suburbs of NYC. Family time was important to my parents and Sundays were usually spent at my grandparent’s house all together (usually eating lots of pasta and bread!). My grandparents came to this country and both became successful entrepreneurs and leaders in their community. We were taught by example the value of hard work and integrity as well as the importance of God and family. I try to instill these values in my own children now.  I come from an athletic family and enjoyed playing all different sports but cheerleading was my favorite activity.

18) Do you have an athletic background? Gymnastics, soccer, volleyball or what?

Growing up I did participate in a lot of different sports including softball, soccer, gymnastics and cheerleading through high school.

Patty Zariello

19) What is a typical day in the life of Patty Zariello? From waking up to until going to bed?

One thing I have learned to be as a mom is “flexible”. My day is definitely not the same everyday. It could go something like this….I get up and get my morning cardio in at 6am, come home to get my kids off to school and eat breakfast (if I didn’t eat before cardio) and then it’s back to the gym for my weight training. I usually have all my meals prepared ahead of time and if I know I’m going to be out for a while I pack them into a cooler and put them in the car so I have them when I need it. After the gym it depends what I have going on…sometimes I come home and work around the house or return emails and phone calls, or sometimes I go shopping or whatever appointments I may have. At 2:30 I pick my kids up and it’s homework, play dates, sports and dinner. If I’m on double cardio I head back to the gym after dinner or workout at home. Then it’s time to get the kids to bed so I can relax and spend some time with with my husband.

20) What is your current occupation? Please tell us more about it, what do you specifically do in your job?

I left my corporate marketing position after my 3rd child was born and decided to be a stay at home mom.  Now that they are older I’ve become certified in Personal Training and Nutrition Coaching. I really love helping other people achieve their goals with a healthy diet and exercise program.

 

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