Briana Tindall

Briana Tindall Briana Tindall earned her Pro Card at the 2006 North American Championships by winning the Overall Figure Competition and placing 1st in Class B of the Figure Competition. Briana, a Worthington, Ohio native is trained by by the Fitness Factory's Mike Davies, and recently took the 13th place in the 2008 Figure International. Her physique continues to make steady improvement, and her strong allure on stage makes her potential success unquestionable. In this interview she describes her personal path toward self discovery and personal fulfillment. Author: Jonathan.L - Owner Models Observer April 2008
	* Briana, how are you? Briana Tindall: Hi! I am doing well, busy, but grateful for that! How are you?! * What was it like growing up in Worthington, Ohio? Briana Tindall: I guess it is like growing up anywhere, my whole life is here, amazing friends and family and opportunity! I feel privileged to have grown up in such a great area. * You've captured the overall crown at the IFBB North American Championships. What did you feel there? Briana Tindall: That was a SHOCK to me! I had NO idea it was even a possibility, it was a HUGE surprise and blessing, my hard work had been recognized and rewarded! * Why do you like to compete? Briana Tindall: I like to compete for several reasons! One, because it is a challenge for me to be so disciplined! I love challenges that cause me to grow and be a better person and this CERTAINLY does! I'm sure you have heard of my struggles with eating, this has caused me to be more aware of and learn more about my body. I know how to feed it, train it and rest it to get the full potential out of it all the time and isn’t that how we get the most out of life?! It allows me to continue to be an athlete out of school, I love competition! Hands down this is the hardest I have EVER had to work and the most I’ve ever dedicate myself and it when you are able to apply yourself like that it really makes you feel like you can do anything! It's been instrumental in changing my life and created an amazing career!	IFBB Pro figure competitor Briana Tindall. Photo by Amir Marandi - www.marandiproductions.com. View here photos of Briana in contest shape.
	* What did you conclude from the recent Arnold Classic? What body parts are your strongest, and what do you need to hone? Briana Tindall: Wow, good question... I don't really know…just keep working hard, be better than my best and hopefully be invited back next year to try again! I believe my quads and back are my two stronger body parts, shoulders usually but they weren’t quite there the way they normally are? I am critical of everything so I think that I could improve my overall physique and continue to mature as a competitor in general, however, it is no secret that my hamstrings and glutes could stand the most improvement! * How do you choose which figure competition to participate in? Briana Tindall: Typically it is a joint decision between Mike and I. Mike Davies is my trainer, I look to him for a lot of guidance in this sport since I am still fairly new and learning A LOT! * Prior to becoming a figure competitor, you've suffered from weight problems. Would you like to share your amazing story of struggle and recovery? Was it easy to rise up and seize your inner powers? Briana Tindall: No, it definitely hasn’t been easy battle and truth be told there are still times when old habits will tempt me and inner powers have proven to fail time and time again! Which is why my victory has come from a spiritual strength when I came to know the Lord, when people speak of a savior, He truly has saved me from an addiction that could’ve potentially ruined my life and for a short period did! I believe that competition and meeting my coach are all gifts that have been used to help me achieve my victory and they still continue to do so, but I can hardly accept the credit myself!
	* So, how did you meet Mike Davies? How did he contribute to your development as a figure competitor? Briana Tindall: I met mike through his ex-wife at the gym where I was working. Mike is the reason I have been such a successful competitor! All I did was take Mike my genetics and a desire to compete and he did the rest! I am privileged to have him as a coach. * How many days a week do you train and for how long? What strategy/program do you utilize as a competition nears? Briana Tindall: I train 6-7 days a week and depending on where I am in the season 2-3 times/day. I lift 5 days/wk for 45mins on 1 body part at a time. Cardio is 6-7 days anywhere from 30-60mins/session, the closer I get to competition it will increase in time, intensity and frequency. It all depends on how I look, typically my body responds to higher intensity for extended periods of time.	Recommended Figure competition dvds, Figure posing dvd
	* Which type of creatine do you prefer? Why? Briana Tindall: I do not use creatine! * Do you have trouble sticking to your diet during social situations? Briana Tindall: That has been a work in progress and a learned behavior! Not anymore, but I use to! I am a very social person with VERY social friends, so if I want to maintain some sort of social life I have had to learn! * What do you think about this fitness poll and the voters' comments? Briana Tindall: I like the humor in the answer amputation, you cant ignore the obvious! However DIET is the correct answer, you can exercise all you want but until you change your diet, you will be fighting weight loss for a long time, its about 90% the battle and I know from experience with myself and clients! * As a personal trainer, how do you run an initial meeting with a new client? And, how do you help your clients achieve faster results? Briana Tindall: I usually will start with asking what a clients expectations are for a trainer and for themselves. Then I will tell them what my expectations are for them and myself! I like to make sure that people understand that it’s not going to be easy and/or effortless or a temporary change until they reach their goal. But a lifestyle change forever to reach and maintain their goals AND it can be fun and VERY rewarding if you stick to the program! There is no faster or better way, it is good old fashion hard work and healthy eating habits, anything or person that tells you different isn’t being honest! * Why do bodybuilders, fitness and figure competitors make their skin look darker during competition? Do you like the tan? Briana Tindall: Oddly enough, I don’t know the absolute answer for that, I have always assumed it is to level the playing field and bring uniformity to the field of competitors and everyone looks better tan right? HAHA! I should know that being a pro! And that is the WORST part of the entire show for me, I HATE IT!!!! * Please tell me about your hobbies and what they mean to you. Briana Tindall: My hobby is my career! My passion is what I do, exercise, nutrition and a fulfilling life through that! My faith is a part of everything I do, so that is my main hobby I guess if you want to call it that…or my reason for doing all of it! I read a lot about exercise, nutrition and self improvement and I LOVE spending quality time with my friends and parents, since it seems to be so far and few between that I am able to! * Who is your ideal man? Briana Tindall: My best friend! * What is your favorite movie? Which genre of movies do you like the most? Briana Tindall: I don't know that I have a favorite movie? I prefer comedies, romance or something with depth…but really never have a chance to stop and watch! * What are your goals in the fitness world? Briana Tindall: Do you have an hour?! I would LOVE to use this opportunity to create a business that focuses on working with all people, but an emphasis on women who need to learn how to take better care of themselves. I don’t think that people understand that life begins with YOU and if you aren’t taking the best care of you, then you are going to miss out on the best life has for you…its true, I have learned from personal experience. And life can throw you some curves and the better shape you are in physically and mentally the better you deal with those curves! I am not talking about being in Figure/fitness shape either, just the BEST shape you can achieve! I want to incorporate physical, mental and spiritual health into one, this isn’t a new concept I know, however it is different from everyone it is introduced from because we all come from different experiences and there is enough room and need for all of us! Briana can be reached at: bbbri14@yahoo.com .