Since 1994, Jeannie Paparone has been one of the most inspirational female bodybuilders, wowing fans and judges alike. As she prepares for 2 professional shows within 2 weeks, including the Arnold Classic in March, she has a lot to balance in her life. As a mom, personal trainer, and top bodybuilding competitor, how does Jeannie juggle training and nutrition while finding time for herself?
Find the answers right here! Learn about Jeannie's daily routine, her preparations for the upcoming contests, plus her current stats and workout schedule. Don't miss as Ms. Paparone reveals some of her favorite things about life, inside and outside of the gym!
[ Q ] Hello Jeannie, Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to share a bit about yourself with FBBFan.com readers!
My Pleasure.
[ Q ] Would you please tell us a little bit about yourself? How old are you? Where are you from? Current Residence? Relationship Status? Family Life?
I'm 41 years old and born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but am currently residing in Las Vegas for 14 years. I am a single mom to a 12 year old son named Louis.
Click Image To Enlarge. I'm 41 Years Old And Born And
Raised In Chicago, Illinois.
[ Q ] What is your current profession?
I am a personal trainer.
[ Q ] How did you get involved in the sport of Women's Bodybuilding?
How I got started was that I was extremely underweight in high school. I was an all-state gymnast in Chicago and bodybuilding has saved my life.
[ Q ] What do you enjoy about being a bodybuilder?
I love having the challenge to transform my body and to have the discipline to diet and train for a certain amount of weeks.
Since I have competed all my life in gymnastics I love performing on stage and showing off all the hard work that I have obtained.
Click Image To Enlarge. I Love Having The Challenge To Transform My Body And To
Have The Discipline To Diet And Train For A Certain Amount Of Weeks.
[ Q ] How do your friends, family and the general public react to your physique?
My friends love my physique and they are very supportive of my bodybuilding. My son loves it, but at times he doesn't like when people stare at me.
The general public either loves it or they hate it. I am very secure with my body, and the people that give me dirty looks or stare are jealous or insecure with their own lives. To each its own I say!
[ Q ] What is your long-term goal in the sport of bodybuilding?
My long term goal is to continue to compete and to do some more Olympia shows. I will continue to compete until I am ready to retire, but not just yet!
Click Image To Enlarge. I Will Continue To Compete Until I
Am Ready To Retire, But Not Just Yet.
[ Q ] You've competed in the Ms. Olympia competition, what does it mean to you to be on that stage?
To be on the Ms. Olympia stage was a life long dream of mine. To actually accomplish that was a dream come true!
[ Q ] Would you please share your competition history with us?
- 1994: NPC Prairieland Classic - Lightweight, 1st place and Overall
- 1994: NPC Tri-States - Lightweight, 1st place and Overall
- 1995: NPC World Gym Classic - lightweight, 2nd Place
- 1995: NPC Nevada State - Lightweight, 1st place and Overall
- 1995: NPC Nationals - 7th place
- 2000: NPC Las Vegas Classic - Middleweight, 1st place and Overall
- 2000: NPC USA Nationals - Middleweight, 8th place
- 2001: NPC USA Nationals - Middleweight, 2nd place
- 2002: NPC Nationals - Middleweight, 1st place (obtained my Pro Card)
- 2003: IFBB Night of Champions - 3rd place
- 2003: IFBB Jan Tana - 6th place
- 2004: IFBB Night of Champions - 10th place
- 2004: IFBB GNC Show of Strength - 6th place
- 2005: IFBB New York Pro - 2nd place
- 2005: IFBB Charlotte Pro - 2nd place
- 2006: IFBB Europa Super Show - 5th place
- 2008: IFBB New York Pro - 2nd place
- 2008: IFBB Olympia - 9th place
- 2009: IFBB New York Pro - 6th place
[ Q ] When are you planning to compete next?
My next show is the Phoenix Pro on February 20th.
Click Image To Enlarge. My Next Show Is The Phoenix
Pro On February 20th.
[ Q ] You have been invited to compete at the 2010 Arnold Classic Ms. International, congratulations! How do you maintain your physique so it is ready to step on-stage and compete only two weeks after the Arizona Pro? Is this difficult?
Thank you very much! I am very excited for the invite! It's not going to be difficult at all after the Arizona show.
Since it is so close I will just get back on the diet when I get back home and I will only be home a week and a half then leave that next Wednesday. So I will just maintain my physique until I leave.
[ Q ] Will you change-up your posing routine, suit or do anything different between these two shows?
I have ordered new suits for the shows. It will be the same since they cost a lot of money! My routine will be the same for both shows.
Click Image To Enlarge. My Routine Will Be
The Same For Both Shows.
[ Q ] What is your current height, weight during off-season and contest?
My height is 5'4" and my weight in the off season is 150 lbs, and contest is about 140 lbs.
[ Q ] What do you consider your best feature?
My best feature I think is my shoulders, and back.
[ Q ] Would you please tell us a little about your workout schedule? Contest and during the Off-Season? Does it vary much?
My workout schedule is 6 days a week with one day off. It is the same when I get ready for a show, or I will work out everyday.
I listen to my body. If I need the day off I will, otherwise I just keep on going! In the off season I do 1/2 hour cardio, and getting ready for a show it's an hour every day.
Click Image To Enlarge. I Listen To My Body.
[ Q ] Do you have a favorite exercise?
My favorite exercise is actually preacher curls.
[ Q ] Are you preparing any differently for the 2010 Phoenix Pro as opposed to previous competitions you've entered?
My training and nutrition is pretty much the same. I figured if its not broken don't fix it!
[ Q ] Do you have a coach or anyone who is helping you prepare for the Phoenix Pro?
I do everything myself. My friend is my second pair of eyes, so she will tell me if everything is in check!
[ Q ] Would you take us through your last week of prep prior to each of these shows?
My training and diet will be the same. I just do some light weights to get the blood pumping. The diet will be the same as well, I don't do anything drastic.
[ Q ] Do you "carb deplete" or "Carb manipulate"?
I do not do any carb depletion at all.
[ Q ] What is a day-in-the-life of Jeannie Paparone like?
My day starts off waking up at 4:30 a.m. and getting ready for my first client at 6:30 a.m. Depending on how many clients I have I usually work until 10:30 a.m., then I will workout and do my cardio. I come home, eat my meals and have to go back to work for some more clients at night.
If I don't have any clients in the afternoon, I pick up my son from school. Then I have homework with him until I have to go back to work.
Getting home at 7:30 p.m., I also have a baking business. I make oatmeal protein bars and I sell to clients and anyone that has been referred to me. So I will bake at night.
After baking, I will eat, prepare dinner for my son and myself and get ready for bed and ready for the next day. Usually in bed around 10:00 p.m.
[ Q ] What are your hobbies and interests outside of the bodybuilding world?
Beside my baking, I love to go to the movies, and if not dieting, a nice dinner. My main interest is my son and spending time with him.
[ Q ] What's currently on your iPod?
I have everything on my iPod. A little rock, alternative, and a lot of dance music. I need good music to get through my cardio!
[ Q ] What are your "Top 5" favorite movies? Favorite actor and/or actress?
My favorite movie of all time is Pretty Woman. Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr. (Love him), The Rundown, Walking Tall, and the newest one I just saw was The Blind Side.
My favorite actors are Robert Downey Jr., Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), and Matthew McConaughey. Favorite actress is Sandra Bullock and Julia Roberts.
[ Q ] Who are your role models? And/or who do you look up to in your life?
My biggest role model was my mother, and she also is the one I looked up to (God Bless her). My mother was an inspiration and such a strong woman!
[ Q ] What advice do you have for women who would like to get involved in the sport of bodybuilding?
The advice I give for women who would like to do bodybuilding is be ready for what is ahead of you. Do a show for yourself, and don't get discouraged when you didn't place the way you want.
As long as you do your homework and have done your best, that is all that matters, because it is hard work and a lot of dedication.
[ Q ] Who are your favorite bodybuilders?
My favorite female bodybuilders are Rachel McLish, Cory Everson and Lenda Murray. My favorite male bodybuilder are Mike Matarazzo and Jay Cutler.
[ Q ] How can people contact you? Do you have a website?
I can be contacted at jeanniesfit4life@aol.com. I am currently working on a new website. I am also on Facebook and MySpace.
[ Q ] Thank you Jeannie, for taking the time to speak with us and share a little bit about yourself with FBBFan.com readers, is there anything else that you would like FBBFan.com readers to know?
It is my pleasure, and thank you very much for the opportunity to tell the readers a little bit about me, and to watch for me in 2010 competing on-stage!
Special thanks to Jeannie for taking the time to speak with FBBFan.com. All photos courtesy of Jeannie Paparone.