Adela Garcia is in it to win it. Coming off of a long recovery after knee surgery, Adela is gearing up for her 3rd crystal trophy, and another title to add to her long list of many accomplishments in the IFBB. Adela not only has a show to win but has a new man to celebrate it with.
Adela is one of the most popular, experienced, and loyal competitors in the industry and can always make you laugh while being proud of who she is and where her life is headed. Sit back and watch this seasoned athlete rock the stage. It is great to have Chica Garcia back in Columbus on that Arnold stage.
Name: Adela Garcia
Age: 38
Height: 5'1"
Weight: Off-Season, 116; Contest, 110
Where Do You Live? Pflugerville, Texas (north of Austin, Texas)
What Gym Do You Train In? All of the Gold's Gyms in Austin.
What Is Your Website? www.adelafitness.com, www.offchallenge.com
[ Jen Hendershott ] You are getting ready for your 9th Fitness International. What makes this year different than past years?
[ Adela Garcia ]
- I love competing at the Fitness International and I was not able to compete for 2 years due to my injury. So, I am very excited to come back to the Arnold Stage. Plus, I really enjoy all that Mr. Lorimer and his staff do to make the athletes feel special.
It is always an honor to be part of such an amazing contest. I am performing the routine I did in 2008 when I injured my knee, so coming back to this contest is overcoming my fitness fears. I am also excited about competing with some of the new girls in the sport. It will be nice to get to know them.
[ JH ] What are your expectations for the 2010 Fitness International? You have won this show before and you are the new Ms. Fitness Olympia. What are your plans for next month in Columbus? Are you in it to win it or what?
[ AG ]
- I am expecting to walk away with the big crystal trophy and my 3rd win. So, yes, I am in it to win it. I love competing at the Fitness International and after getting injured I wanted to comeback and do this show again.
[ JH ] Who do you think is your biggest competition? Since I am not competing, and Tracey Greenwood is out, it seems the battle is on between you and Tanji Johnson who was runner up to you in Vegas. Do you agree with this and/or are you concerned?
[ AG ]
- I always focus on myself as my biggest competition because there is so much we have to deal with while preparing for a contest. I really do not have the energy to worry about anyone else, what they are doing, or how are they going to look at the show, etc.
I learned to be more aware of my goals and to focus on myself. I never underestimate any of the competitors but I am coming ready to take the number one spot and get close to Arnold.
[ JH ] You got engaged recently. What can you tell us about your new man and how did he win you over?
[ AG ]
- There are not many words that can accurately describe him. He is absolutely amazing, and he is the only one that can make me smile when I am upset. That happens a lot, especially when I am not with him.
I can't imagine myself without him and I don't like to think about that because it hurts me. He's the only one that I have given my whole heart to and the only one that I trust. He is my everything, and without him, I would be like a lost little puppy (which would be sad). I want to be with him forever. We want to get married in Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic. Trent is completely perfect for me.
[ JH ] What do you think is the hardest part about getting ready for a big show like this?
[ AG ]
- The hardest part is when you realize that you only have a small amount of people that really care about you being there. I must say, this show has been a little harder to get ready for because I only have a few people giving me the support and push that I need. I realize that it is very lonely when you are on top of your game. This drives me to get on that stage and be better than I was at my last show.
[ JH ] You suffered a bad knee injury. Tell us how you rehabilitated your knee and what exercises were best. We want details of your journey.
[ AG ]
- It was a bad time in my career and I honestly believed I was done. But, I do believe that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I did not want to stop competing because of an injury and I had to realize that time means healing.
I had to take it a day at a time. Trent was there for me. He truly showed me how much he loves me. He kept me motivated, helped me with my exercises, massaged my knee, cooked my food, and put up with my ups and downs during the recovery. Many people do not understand how hard it is for an athlete to deal with an injury. Patience and willingness is the key to overcome any situation in life.
I worked with Dr. Robert Meyer out of Austin on my physical therapy. I did therapy three times per week along with a lot of stretching. Trent and Dr. Meyer created a rehab program for me and Trent made sure I was on it 100%. We did a lot of stretching, one-legged exercises, rode the bike, walked on the treadmill, and worked on my range of motion. It was a long journey, but now I can look back and feel good about overcoming it.
[ JH ] What is your current training schedule like?
Monday
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 6:30 AM: Eat grapefruit with thermos
- 7:00-8:00 AM: Cardio
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Stretch
- 8:30-9:00 AM: Eat 2 oz flank steak, 3 egg whites, 3 T. cream of rice, 1 T. glutamine
- 11:00-11:30 AM: Eat 3 oz tuna, 10 almonds, 10 banana pepper rings
- 1:00-1:15 PM: Eat 2 plain rice cakes
- 2:00-2:30 PM: Eat 4-6 oz chicken, 10 asparagus spears
- 2:30-4:30 PM: Routine practice
- 4:30-5:00 PM: Eat 1 c. diced cucumber and celery, 3 oz tuna, thermo
- 5:30-6:30 PM: Legs/Shoulders
- 6:30-7:00 PM: Cardio
- 7:00-7:30 PM: Eat 2 T. cream of rice, 30 grams of protein, 1 T. glutamine
- 9:45-10:00 PM: Eat a large salad with tuna, chicken, or steak added in 4 oz portions with extra veggies and balsamic vinegar as dressing
- 10:00 PM: Get ready for bed
- 10:30 PM: Lights out
Tuesday
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 6:30 AM: Eat grapefruit with thermos
- 7:00-8:00 AM: Cardio
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Stretch
- 8:30-9:00 AM: Eat 2 oz flank steak, 3 egg whites, 3 T. cream of rice, 1 T. glutamine
- 11:00-11:30 AM: Eat 3 oz tuna, 10 almonds, 10 banana pepper rings
- 1:00-1:15 PM: Eat 2 plain rice cakes
- 3:00-3:30 PM: Eat 4-6 oz chicken, 10 asparagus spears
- 5:00-5:30 PM: Eat 1 c. diced cucumber and celery, 3 oz tuna, thermo
- 6:00-7:00 PM: Cardio
- 7:00-7:30 PM: Eat 2 T. cream of rice, 30 grams of protein, 1 T. glutamine
- 9:45-10:00 PM: Eat a large salad with tuna, chicken, or steak added in 4 oz portions with extra veggies and balsamic vinegar as dressing
- 10:00 PM: Get ready for bed
- 10:30 PM: Lights out
Wednesday
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 6:30 AM: Eat grapefruit with thermos
- 7:00-8:00 AM: Cardio
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Stretch
- 8:30-9:00 AM: Eat 2 oz flank steak, 3 egg whites, 3 T. cream of rice, 1 T. glutamine
- 11:00-11:30 AM: Eat 3 oz tuna, 10 almonds, 10 banana pepper rings
- 1:00-1:15 PM: Eat 2 plain rice cakes
- 2:00-2:30 PM: Eat 4-6 oz chicken, 10 asparagus spears
- 2:30-4:30 PM: Routine practice
- 4:30-5:00 PM: Eat 1 c. diced cucumber and celery, 3 oz tuna, thermo
- 5:30-6:30 PM: Back/Biceps
- 6:30-7:00 PM: Cardio
- 7:00-7:30 PM: Eat 2 T. cream of rice, 30 grams of protein, 1 T. glutamine
- 9:45-10:00 PM: Eat a large salad with tuna, chicken, or steak added in 4 oz portions with extra veggies and balsamic vinegar as dressing
- 10:00 PM: Get ready for bed
- 10:30 PM: Lights out
Thursday
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 6:30 AM: Eat grapefruit with thermos
- 7:00-8:00 AM: Cardio
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Stretch
- 8:30-9:00 AM: Eat 2 oz flank steak, 3 egg whites, 3 T. cream of rice, 1 T. glutamine
- 11:00-11:30 AM: Eat 3 oz tuna, 10 almonds, 10 banana pepper rings
- 1:00-1:15 PM: Eat 2 plain rice cakes
- 2:00-2:30 PM: Eat 4-6 oz chicken, 10 asparagus spears
- 2:30-4:30 PM: Routine practice
- 4:30-5:00 PM: Eat 1 c. diced cucumber and celery, 3 oz tuna, thermo
- 5:30-6:30 PM: Cardio
- 7:00-7:30 PM: Eat 2 T. cream of rice, 30 grams of protein, 1 T. glutamine
- 9:45-10:00 PM: Eat a large salad with tuna, chicken, or steak added in 4 oz portions with extra veggies and balsamic vinegar as dressing
- 10:00 PM: Get ready for Bed
- 10:30 PM: Lights out
Friday
- 6:00 AM: Wake up
- 6:30 AM: Eat grapefruit with thermos
- 7:00-8:00 AM: Cardio
- 8:00-8:30 AM: Stretch
- 8:30-9:00 AM: Eat 2 oz flank steak, 3 egg whites, 3 T. cream of rice, 1 T. glutamine
- 11:00-11:30 AM: Eat 3 oz tuna, 10 almonds, 10 banana pepper rings
- 1:00-1:15 PM: Eat 2 plain rice cakes
- 3:00-3:30 PM: Eat 4-6 oz chicken, 10 asparagus spears
- 5:00-5:30 PM: Eat 1 c. diced cucumber and celery, 3 oz tuna, thermo
- 6:00-7:00 PM: Chest/Triceps
- 7:00-7:30 PM: Cardio
- 7:30-8:00 PM: Eat 2 T. cream of rice, 30 grams of protein, 1 T. glutamine
- 9:45-10:00 PM: Eat a large salad with tuna, chicken, or steak added in 4 oz portions with extra veggies and balsamic vinegar as dressing
- 10:00 PM: Get ready for bed
- 10:30 PM: Lights out
I train clients and also do a lot of work on my online business so my schedule is a bit crazy.
[ JH ] Is your nutrition laid out differently for this show or are you doing the same thing that has worked for you in the past?
[ AG ]
- Mike Davies emails my diets to me. We work together in this area. I go by how I feel and how I look, so I add or take away foods that do not work for me. I have been doing this for so long that I know how my body works. I lay out my nutrition in my schedule as well.
[ JH ] How is your training different when you are not training for a show like this? How is your lifestyle different? How is your eating different?
[ AG ]
- I do take a break when I am not training for a show. I like to eat clean food but I also give my body a break and splurge a lot. I like spending time with Trent's family and I go to visit my family in Puerto Rico as well. I have learned to have a balance in life. Family is very important and we must spend as much time as we can with family because we are not getting younger. I can't imagine myself without my family.
[ JH ] Who do you most admire in the sport?
[ AG ]Susie Curry
- and myself.
[ JH ] Who do you most admire in life?
[ AG ]
- My mother.
[ JH ] To whom or what do you contribute all of your success?
[ AG ]
- My success comes from strength, courage and determination. I also believe it comes from the people that have been by my side all these years supporting me and believing in me.
[ JH ] Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
[ AG ]
- I am going to be married to Trent and we are going to have our own studio. I see myself involved in the NPC and IFBB because I want to give back to the sport that got me where I am today.
I must say that I am a lucky and blessed girl. I look at everything I have and just thank God for all of his blessings. This sport has been good to me and I want to give back. I never dreamed of getting so far in this sport and I want to help others achieve the same goals.
[ JH ] When you win the Fitness International, will you walk away from the sport on top and start other ventures, or will you do the 2010 Olympia and go for the 5th win?
[ AG ]
- I am competing at the Fitness Olympia and will decide what I am doing after that. I love competing and I will know when it is time for me to sit back and let someone else step up. So, I will be at the Fitness Olympia to win numero cinco.
[ JH ] Who would you like to thank?
[ AG ]
- I would like to thank my baby, Trent Calavan, and my family, for all their love and support. Thank you to my managers, J.M. and Debbie Manion. I would also like to thank my sponsor, GNC, Jagware for my suits, Jan Tana for my color, Mike Davies for my nutrition, Maggie and Sylvia for my routine outfits, Dr. Robert Meyer, and Eleina and J. Zubire for my make up.
Thank you for this awesome interview Jenny. I will miss you in Columbus. You are a great ambassador of the sport. I would also like to thank all of my friends and fans for the continued support.
Please listen to Muscle Girls Inc, on www.rxmuscle.com, where Jenny Lynn and I are the host. Stay tuned for my new website www.offchallenge.com, where you'll find lots of information on training and nutrition, a member area and forum.
Be blessed and follow your dreams.
Fitness Quick Facts:
[ JH ] What is the favorite routine you have done over the years?
[ AG ]
- The Mask.
[ JH ] Which win has been the greatest victory for you?
[ AG ]The 2009 Fitness Olympia
- .
[ AG ]
- I like them both equally.
[ JH ] What bugs you about the sport of fitness?
[ AG ]
- The lack of competitors willing to try fitness.
General Quick Facts:
[ JH ] What is your favorite fattening thing to eat?
[ AG ]
- Cheesecake, hamburger and fries.
[ JH ] What is something you cannot live without?
[ AG ]
- Running shoes.
[ AG ]
- Lateral raises and cardio.
[ JH ] If you could go anywhere in the world that you have not been where would it be?
[ AG ]
- Italy.