Colette Nelson
Colettey@Msn.com
www.ColetteNelson.com
Birthdate: April 5, 1974
Born and raised in: Royal Oak, Michigan
Now live in: New York City
Height: 5'5''
Weight: Contest: 152# Off-season- 175#
biceps-- 15.5" contest 17" off -season
quads-- 23"
calves-- 15"
Bench: 305#
Squats: 315#, all the way down
School Background: B.S. in Dietetics, MS Clinical Nutrition, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator
Athletic Background/Achievements: "Semi-professional dancer in high-school and college, Track MVP in high-school (hurdles and high-jump)"
Lifting Background: "I started lifting when I was a freshman in college (approximately 19 years old). I have always been fascinated with muscle. I started teaching aerobics when I was 17 to get into better shape for dancing. When I went to Michigan State University, I met a bodybuilder who introduced me to the world of weight training and I have been hooked ever since."
Future Goals: "I would first love to finally turn PRO. It has been a long, but very satisfying journey thus far. I have competed in 5 national shows in 2 years and placed no lower than 3rd place in any of them. Once I gain professional status, I just hope to be true to myself and find my nitch in the pro-circuit."
On her motivation to lift: "I love being strong. I love the way it makes me feel. It gives me a sense of inner harmony. I am at peace. For me, training and the gym are my stress relief. I want to continue to strive to be the best I can be. Seeing improvements each year motivates me to train harder and see where I can take my body."
Her thoughts on physically elite women breaking stereotypes: "I think women, men, cats, dogs, etc. etc. should be able to do whatever it is they want. I don't think there should be any rules. I always hate it when people try and say that women should train differently. WHY? We all have the same muscles, right? I am not a feminist and I don't get into that fanaticism; I just believe in self-expression. If lifting weights and being muscular makes you happy, then do it and commit to your passion. Don't let anyone take that away from you."
On people's reactions to her lifting weights: "I get a lot of positive feedback from both men and women. I have a unique look for a female BB. People do not seem to be as threatened by me muscles. Don't get me wrong; I get a lot of cat calls and people speak their mind, but, I get more positive feedback than negative."
On whether she was always strong: "No, actually I was a dancer. I never played any sports. I was usually the last one picked on every team sport in gym. I have worked hard to achieve this body. I was strong when I started weight training b/c of the years of dance and aerobics."
On the impact lifting has had on her life: "I can't imagine not lifting weights. I love it and it is a part of who I am, something for me to identify with. I am going to be over 70 years old and still lifting weights. I think the competition aspect can be very difficult and often times a blow to your ego. It also forces you to do extreme things to your body in order to win. I think you need to be standing firmly on the ground and be true to yourself before you start to compete in the bodybuilding circuit."
On doing her part to win the battle of the sexes: "When I train with guys, even some bodybuilders, I hold my own. I am usually stronger than your typical male gym-goer. I only train with men and for the most part I can hang with even some of the toughest male BB.
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