Introducing Team 3DMJ's 2011 Sponsored Athlete - Cheryl Glattacker
3DMJ: Please tell us about who you are as an individual and as a natural bodybuilder. Cheryl Glattacker: First and foremost I am married to an amazing man, Grant. I met him when I was 18. I’m now 35 and we’ll be celebrating our 10th Wedding Anniversary on the same weekend as my next competition. We have one dog, Hunter, a standard dachshund. We own and operate a trucking company that does heavy equipment long haul transportation in 48 states and all of Canada. I do the bookkeeping and payroll. Before that, I spent ten years as a legal assistant in a criminal defense law firm. I am also a CanFit Certified Personal Trainer and work part-time at Marked Improvement Personal Fitness Training. My husband and I love to travel and quite often you will find me planning our next destination. I was born and raised in Alberta and I have one sister, who has blessed me with two nephews. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and baking. I love trying new recipes and am always looking for ways to make food tasty, clean and healthy. I’ve been lifting weights for approximately ten years. The first seven were spent aimlessly wandering around the gym always doing my favorite moves and never having a plan or a goal. That changed when I met my trainer, Mark Campbell, three years ago. Having a routine and learning proper form and the importance of muscle balance made all the difference in my 5’1” frame. I was hooked. Natural bodybuilding came easily to me. There was never another option for me. I don’t believe in chemically altering what your DNA has given you to work with. I don’t drink, or consume artificial sweeteners or chemically altered, processed foods. Everyone has choices in what to put in their bodies, it doesn’t define who you are, but it will surely affect the outcome of your health and wellness in the long term. Bodybuilding is about longevity and health. I feel it is unnecessary to take banned substances that will enhance your body and risk your life. I love my muscles and I love that I still look feminine. Why mess with what you were blessed with? 3DMJ: How did you get started in natural bodybuilding? Cheryl Glattacker: I was under the nutritional guidance of WNBF Pro Lael Sauter, due to a little bit of an addiction to peanut M&M’s. This was at the time when I had decided to finally get back on stage and compete. I knew I wanted to do bodybuilding and it had to be natural. I went from offseason dieting with him to on-season contest prep and never looked back. 3DMJ: Who or what has been your major influence in the sport of natural bodybuilding? Cheryl Glattacker: Lael Sauter has definitely been a major influence for me in the sport of natural bodybuilding. I admire his hard work and dedication to the sport as well as his involvement as a judge for the INBF in Canada. Lael and I worked out at the same gym for a few months and only ever spoke casually to each other in passing every morning. One day at Chapters I picked up a magazine that I normally don’t read and in it was a two page article about the newest WNBF Pro Bodybuilder, Lael Sauter. The next day I felt compelled to talk to him and let him know I read the article and was interested in the fact that he had achieved his physique naturally. He’s always been so humble about his achievements as a natural bodybuilder. I’ve learned a lot from him and to this day continue to learn from him. He coached me for my first competition as a bodybuilder and I’m his first pro card athlete. 3DMJ: What are some of your highlights thus far in your natural bodybuilding career? Cheryl Glattacker: I love the people and friendships I’ve made during the short period that I’ve been involved in natural bodybuilding. Everyone is positive and loving in this sport. Right before I got on stage in October I was so nervous and a seasoned competitor sensed my nervousness, he took my hands and held them while he gave me a pep talk. Just as he finished and I was holding back tears, it was my turn to get on stage. I walked onto that stage brimming with confidence, energy and positivity and to this day I’m so grateful for that pep talk. It was his 61st show! He knew what he was talking about. 3DMJ: List your contest history. Cheryl Glattacker: 2008 Brian and Donna Logue Provincial Championships Alberta. Placed 3rd in Figure Short. 2010 INBF Stampede Casino Classic, 1st Lightweight Women’s Bodybuilding, Best Poser, Overall Women’s Bodybuilding Winner, WNBF Pro Card.
Cheryl Glattacker: I am focused and intense. I’ve been with my personal trainer, Mark Campbell, for three years. In that time I’ve had many different workout routines, switching it up frequently so my body never has a chance to get used to the workout. I give it 100% all the time. I will never sacrifice my perfect form in order to get out the last few reps. If I can’t get it done without proper form than I feel it’s not worth doing. I know my strengths and weaknesses and Mark is able to push me past those weaknesses without getting me frazzled or upset at myself. 3DMJ: What are your goals in the sport of natural bodybuilding? Cheryl Glattacker: I want to inspire other women, and maybe a few men…to be natural! I am nonjudgmental about what people choose to put in their bodies, but whenever given the opportunity I am always letting people know that I am a Natural Bodybuilder. In fact, just this week I was speaking to a woman in the change room at my gym and she was commenting on my arms and asked what I took in order to build the muscle I have. I expressed to her that I am a natural bodybuilder and explained to her what it meant. Ten minutes later she was hugging me and thanking me for the knowledge she was taking away. I want many more opportunities like that one and I hope to one day see her in a natural competition. 3DMJ: What would you change or do to improve the sport of natural bodybuilding? Cheryl Glattacker: I feel there needs to be more publicity out there that natural is an option! That’s why I am so honored and happy to have this opportunity with 3D Muscle Journey. 3DMJ: What did you feel like after hearing the news you were selected as Team 3DMJ’S sponsored athlete for the 2011 contest season? Cheryl Glattacker: It took a little while to actually sink in. When I received the phone call from Eric I happened to be getting groceries in Maui while on vacation and I didn’t hear the phone ring. After I listened to the voicemail message I phoned Eric back and his first words were that they had chosen me. I remained calm and when I got off the phone I said to my husband that I had to scratch off goal number two from my 2011 goals that I had made two days prior. My self confidence level skyrocketed after realizing that this opportunity is huge and will make my pro debut that much easier and stress free. For those of you wondering what goal number one was, you will have to wait and see! 3DMJ: What do you feel Team 3DMJ brings to the table when it comes to contest preparation? Cheryl Glattacker: Experience, support, guidance, energy, expertise, positivity, dedication, desire and discipline. What a great team to help guide me into my first pro show.
Cheryl Glattacker: I put my heart and soul into everything I do. I’m dedicated to the sport of natural bodybuilding. I have the desire and the discipline to be the best athlete I can be naturally. Every journey to the stage is different, it’s about self discovery and growing strong mentally as well as physically, but the dedication, desire and discipline remains the same. 3DMJ: We are very excited to be following along with you during your journey, what can we expect in the weeks ahead as you move forward with Team 3DMJ during your journey to the stage? Cheryl Glattacker: In the next few weeks you will see my physique start to change and my posing will improve. I will follow exactly what your team tells me to do. I know I am in good hands and I trust that my pro debut will be amazing. I’m dedicated to making this a successful journey for both team 3DMJ as well as myself. 3DMJ: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years as a natural bodybuilder? Cheryl Glattacker: I hadn’t really thought about this before to be honest with you. I always think about the journey to my next show. I’ll still be competing….but in the Masters! Five years comes along fast. This is a question that I’m going to have to revisit. Stay tuned for more coverage in the future as Cheryl prepares for her big pro debut! |
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