Youngest IFBB Fitness Pro in History Ariel Khadr
By Eddie Cervantes, Muscle-4Life-Nutrition.com
CEO - Muscle 4 Life Nutrition LLC
Specialist In Performance Nutrition
Editor's Note:
Special thanks to Ariel for taking the time to
speak with Muscle-4Life-Nutrition.com. All photos courtesy of Ariel Khadr
I had the pleasure of meeting this exceptional athlete Ariel Khadr. Besides being an outstanding competitor in Gymnastics and Taekwondo, she is the world's youngest IFBB Fitness Pro in history.
Eddie: Hello Ariel, Tell us all about yourself and how you got started in fitness and the bodybuilding world?
Ariel: I've been exposed to a healthy household my entire life. My parents are bodybuilders and were always eating healthy and in the gym. I would say this is where my passion for the sport of fitness came from. When I was five years old I remember going to my first bodybuilding show. From then on, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would some day step onstage. I've been a gymnast since I'm 3 years old, and I had one coach, Nicole Avellina, former Ms. Fitness USA, who got me started in Junior fitness in 2004. My success and love for the sport of fitness grew from there.
Eddie: Your parents set a good example for you. Can you share your stats with us?
Ariel: Chest: 34in, Waist: 25in, Hips: 34in
Eddie: Where do you reside and train at?
Ariel: I reside on Long Island, New York and train at Infinity Fitness in Farmingdale, New York.
Eddie: How did it feel to earn your IFBB Pro card and to be the youngest female to do so?
Ariel: It was the most amazing feeling! I almost wanted to cry on stage! It's not easy getting ready for competition and it felt like all my hard work paid off.
Eddie: That is awesome Ariel, you should be proud! How old were when you earned your IFBB Pro card?
Ariel: I was 17 years old when I earned my IFBB Pro card. Although, my birthday was only 10 days prior to the competition.
Eddie: I am sure you had no birthday cake lol. What is your competitive history?
Ariel:
2009 NPC Team Universe/Fitness Nationals Class A, IFBB PRO status
-2009 NPC Teen Nationals Overall Fitness and Figure Champion
-2009 NPC Atlantic States Overall Fitness Champion
-2008 Empire States Overall Figure Champion (Youngest figure competitor in NPC history)
-2004 Miss Jr. Fitness International
-2004 Miss Jr. Fitness America.
Eddie: What is your training philosophy?
Ariel: My training philosophy is BE CONSISTENT and like what you are doing. You can never achieve what you want if you don't enjoy it.
Eddie: Yes, consistency is the key. Can you give us a rundown of what your current training workout look like?
Ariel: Right now, I'll do a bunch of different things. Such as, a bit of super sets, mainstream bodybuilding workouts, and cardio. I'm also currently doing gymnastics about 5 days a week for about 3 hours.
Eddie: Here is the million dollar question, when it comes to your physique, what is your strongest attribute and what part is a constant challenge.
Ariel: I would say my strong attribute is my shape. Right now, I am just doing minor adjustments. I've been working on building my hamstrings and rear delts, while slimming down my obliques to give myself an illusion of a smaller waist.
Eddie: Could you share with us your philosophy on nutrition.
Ariel: I believe that diet is almost everything when it comes to pursuing your goals. I'm always on top of my diet, and only allow myself a "cheat meal" once a week. It might sound crazy for a teen to have the ability to always eat clean. But, my parents are both bodybuilders and they eat the same foods I do.
Eddie: What discipline you have, especially for a teenager. Your discipline is the reason you are the youngest IFBB Pro! What was the hardest thing you had to deal with when it came to your diet?
Ariel: The hardest thing I had to deal with when it came to my diet was cutting out my cheat meal!!
Eddie: lol..I bet! How important are supplements in your bodybuilding program and which supplements do you use year round?
Ariel: I believe supplements are very important. Right now, I use Omega 3's, BCAA's, whey protein powder, and multi-vitamins.
Eddie: Great choice of supplements. What advice would you give to someone who has tried a number of weight loss programs with no success?
Ariel: Most likely, they're is something they need to change in their nutrition. Like I said, I believe nutrition is almost everything.
Eddie: Where and when is your next competition?
Ariel: I would love to compete at the 2010 New York Pro Fitness Championships!
Eddie: What other sports are you interested in?
Ariel: Well, I'm a level 10 gymnast and a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Eddie: You truly are a well rounded athlete. What did your family and friends think of your decision to become a IFBB Figure Pro competitor?
Ariel: My family and friends were very supportive in my decision. I sometimes think they believed in me more than I did!
Eddie: That helps so much to have the strong support of your family. Can you tell us about your family?
Ariel: My family is very sports oriented. My parents are both bodybuilders and were athletic growing up. I have three very close first cousins, who all excel in different sports. One cousin did gymnastics with me and is a nationally ranked level 10 gymnast, the other is a golfer, and the youngest is a top 10 nationally ranked diver and former nationally ranked gymnast.
Eddie: Very talented family. If one of our readers was interested in becoming a bodybuilding figure competitor and already lives a healthy lifestyle, what would your advice be to her?
Ariel: I would advise getting good nutritional advice first, talk to other competitors, and get a good trainer. Someone who will push you to be the best you can be!
Eddie: If you could thank one person for helping you reach your fitness goals, who would it be?
Ariel: If I could thank one person for helping me reach my fitness goals, it would be my mother. She is not only my best friend, but my workout partner, personal chef at times, and motivator.
Eddie: That is great! With a Mother like that success is only in your future. Who has been the most memorable person you have enjoyed working with?
Ariel: Jenn Hendershott would have to be the most memorable personal I've enjoyed working with. She is extremely motivational and without her I wouldn't have had my "sweet 16" themed fitness routine. I owe a lot of credit to her for that!!
Eddie: I have seen that fitness routine on youtube it was awesome! Would you like to give a shout out to anyone?
Ariel: I would love to give a shout out to IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Colette Nelson. Without her help with my diet, I could not have done it! Also Muscle-4Life-Nutrition.com is great! Thank you so much for this interview. It's an honor! I wish you the best and added success!
Eddie: Thank you Ariel the feeling is mutual. What are your big plans for the future?
Ariel: My long term fitness goals would be to do the best I can in the IFBB. I've always dreamed of being on the Olympia stage. Hopefully, that will dream will someday come true!
Eddie: I am sure you will be on the Olympia stage sooner then you think. Anything else you would like to add?
Ariel: I hope I can motivate other teenagers and kids to keep a healthy lifestyle. Weight issues are a huge problem in this country. We can start to change this by starting with the younger generation.
Eddie: God Bless you for that, child obesity is no joke in this country. The youth of America needs a great role model like you Ariel, to learn good eating and exercising habits from. Thank you Ariel, for taking the time to be Muscle-4Life-Nutrition.com's Featured Athlete. We wish you all the success in the world.
Posted Comments:
Ariel is someone who we will see and hear a lot from in this coming decade. As President and Michelle Obama begin their national initiative to get youngsters to get fit and eat right I would suggest she get in touch with the White House to become a national level figure in this movement. It will get her the kind of positive exposure that will bring spokesmodel deals and covers on fitness magazines. She is just gorgeous.
Careyann
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