Myriam Capes constantly surpasses her previously-held limits. This keeps the fitness star motivated to compete against the world's best fitness athletes year after year. The success she recently experienced and the positive reception she gets from her multitiude of fans are major contributing factors in her willingness to annually test her mettle against the IFBB elite.
Myriam is known for her outstanding shape and phenomenal conditioning. The 27-year old is always on the cusp of winning any pro event she enters. In her second professional show (the 2007 Santa Susanna Pro) she took the runner-up spot. In the process, she signaled that she is not competing merely to fill out the roster. Since then Myriam finished sixth and fourth place, respectively, in the '09 and '10 Fitness Olympia events.
Capes is coming off an impressive second-place finish at the 2011 Toronto Pro. With 2010 Olympia third-place finisher Trish Warren out of this year's line-up (she is 4 months pregnant and will not compete) it seems highly likely that Myriam will make the top three in 2011's biggest event. If she can show additional improvements while pulling off the exceptionally exciting routines she is renowned for, she might surprise a few and score an upset win.
Myriam Capes at the 2011 Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International & Figure International.
Q: What improvements have you made to your physique since competing in the 2010 Fitness Olympia?
Since competing in the 2010 Fitness Olympia I have worked hard to improve my overall proportions while maintaining a high level of femininity.
Q: What do you think it is about your look that gained you a respectable top six finish at the 2010 Olympia?
I think I gained a respectable 4th-place finish last year, not because of something specific about my look, but more because of the overall improvements that I have made over the past few years and all the experience I have gained. I always try to adjust and make changes in my physique based upon the feedback the judges give me.
Q: You have created an amazing physique and the routines in which you highlight it are always well-received. How do you continue to make steady improvements with each passing year?
(Laughs) I leave all that in the hands on my amazing and super-competent trainer: Mr. Robert Joubert. He knows exactly what he's doing with me and how he wants me to look onstage. I just follow every little thing he's telling me to do and I think it pays off pretty good.
Q: How often do you include cardio training in your regimen? And when do you cut it from your program pre-contest?
I'm only doing cardio to maintain a good cardiac rhythm and to improve my VO2 max (oxygen uptake ability), rather than to strip body fat. Right now I'm doing moderate cardio on a regular basis.
Myriam only does cardio to improve her
health rather than to cut fat.
Q: What do you like most about pro fitness competition? What keeps you motivated to compete year after year?
What I like the most, aside from being able to travel all around the world, is having the opportunity to meet interesting people at every show I enter and to represent my sport the best I can. The challenge of being able to constantly surpass my own limits is what keeps me motivated to compete year after year.
My goal is to become the best in the world and to make a living out of it too. I will do this by continuing to commit myself 100% to it by bringing something special to improve the sport and to maintain a positive image of it.
Q: How would you describe your current approach to training?
My training is now my lifestyle and my profession. I'm always working toward perfection and refining my physique by highlighting my feminine curves and muscular separation. I also work to maintain as much of my organic stamina and physical fitness as I do my physical appearance.
Q: Have you made any changes to your training over the past year? If so, what have these been and how have they helped you to improve your physique?
My trainer makes regular changes to my training by following the evolution and responses of my body in relation to my sporting requirements.
Q: Could you describe your current nutritional approach?
My diet is built according to my training program changes which are designed according to my needs of the moment and the responses I get from my training. Presently my diet structures in carbohydrates to give me the level of energy I need at the end of my preparation and protein to keep my muscle tone. My diet consists of all the main food groups: fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, starchy foods and legumes - all in specific quantities.
You know Myriam has to keep her energy levels
up with performances like this.
Q: How do you address post-training nutrition? What do you do following your workouts to begin the muscle re-building process?
Pre-Training Meal: (30 minutes before) bowl of rice with a soupspoon of honey.
Mid-Training: spoon of honey to maintain a high level of energy and to allow me to push my workout to the max.
Post-Training Meal: A fruit immediately afterward; one hour after my training I consume a portion of protein also.
Q: Which nutritional supplements (if any) do you take and why?
Multivitamin: to fill the deficiencies resulting from a restricted food supply.
Vitamin C: reinforces the immune system.
Germ Of Wheat: to soften my tendons and ligaments.
Calcium, Magnesium: for bone health.
B12: for motivation and mental well-being.
Omega 3: my essential fat contribution.
BCAAs: catalysts for protein.
Amino Acids: to feed my muscles to ensure a positive nitrogen balance.
Humanofar (Pro Circuit Nutrition): activates the hormonal system.
Immunocal (Immunotec): enhances the immune system and the level of glutathione.
Q: This year's Fitness Olympia will host the usual top-line competitors, you included. What do you think will give you an advantage over your competition?
With my physique being more mature and looking the best ever, combined with all of the stage experience I have acquired over the years, this gives me an advantage of being able to present myself as a top- line competitor. Also, the new scoring rules according to the routine round will definitely give me a huge advantage.
My routines always have been my strength and even moreso this year since I had the chance to rejoin forces with Mme Brigitte Korak, one of Canada's finest gymnastic coaches and choreographers. She's tough, but I like it. Over the last six months, she pushed me to achieve perfection in every step of this amazing new routine that I will be presenting at this year's Olympia. Can't wait to perform this masterpiece; the crowd will love it!
Q: As well as your routines what other strengths do you have as an IFBB pro competitor?
Well, my strengths are my routines, without any doubt, and my feminine silhouette which represents the perfect image of Fitness. I also have much respect for the sport and I always represent it with a positive approach to competing.
Myriam strength comes in her routines her feminine silhouette.
Q: What do you love most about competing at Olympia level?
The Olympia is for me the pinnacle of so many years of hard work, daily sacrifices, perseverance and I have outperformed myself every step of the way. It is, for me, an annual reward, being able take part in this major event for the last four years and to be able to offer a high quality show to my thousands of fans around the world.
Q: Where do think you will place in the 2011 Fitness Olympia?
Since the 2010 Olympia I have been working according to the feedback given by the judges after every competition in which I took part this year, to perfect and polish every little detail to rise to the highest step of the podium.
Q: What message would you like to give to your fans, those who will be coming to watch you compete at the 2011 Olympia?
A big thanks to all my fans for the trust and support you grant me year after year. By the way, do not miss my routine this year. I'm telling you, it's the best ever. Be ready for an amazing show. Kisses.
