NPC bikini competitor and published model Grissel
Interview with NPC bikini competitor and published model Grissel Martinez aka @Griss_Martinez
Q:Where were you born and raised, and where do you call home now a days?
A:I was born in Mexico City, my parents moved to the states when I was 9 years old in search of a better life for my brother and I. I was raised in San Diego, CA but at the end of my Jr. year in high school my parents decided to move to Utah, my home town now. The move to Utah was devastating for me because I was very involved in sports, clubs and I was ready to have a great senior year with my childhood friends. But I had to get over it and move forward. It wasn't long before I made new friends and long lasting accomplishments. I was named captain of the volleyball team. Why it meant so much to me? Well, because as a new students and SENIOR it was likely that I wouldn't even make a team tryout, they usually have seniority. But the coach saw my talents and my teammates loved my determination, competitive side and my ability to pull together the team to motivate to keep winning.
Q:When was the first time you first knew you wanted to become a NPC competitor?
A:After my son was born I knew I was ready to compete and lose my baby fat.
Q:What does a typical week long workout routine look like for you?
A:I usually do cardio in the mornings before my son wakes up and then lift in the evenings.
Q:Can you give us your off season and pre contest diets?
A:Off season diets...well I don't consider eating healthy a diet when I am off season. I tend to eat clean but I still have whatever I crave whenever I crave it, I don't limit myself to anything my body wants but of course I do it in moderation. As a mother is it hard to stay away from all the goodies the 2 year old wants :).
During comp season... now, here is the killer! Lol, the hardest part about competing is not the training it’s the fish, fish, chicken, chicken, fish did I mention fish?? But the results are amazing.
Here is a simple idea of what I eat during competition, but it changes depending on how my body looks week by week:
• 4 egg whites and oatmeal
• Tilapia, brown rice and asparagus
• Tuna and rice cakes
• Apples and almonds
• Chicken and asparagus
Q:You're also a published model. Where have you been featured
A: “Got Milk?” (promotional model – Sundance Film Festival)
Verizon (promotional model)
Icon – Weider Fitness Equipment (model)
N.O.T.B. (website and MMA clothing model)
Hawk Opinion (Hottie of the Month)
Babes of MMA
I was published in a Newspaper el Metro in Mexico City
Weider XT SPOT CTA workout video Model
MMA.Interviews.tv expo model
Miss Bikini Model finalist for www.DEPORTES.UNIVISION.com
Top 6 Bikini Rock Star Finalist/ Arnold Classic 2012
Top News on MSN Latino and Telemundo sports website
Cover of "SPORTS CENTRAL" EL UNIVERSAL.COM.MX
Posing Model for Fancaster.com during the Arnold Expo 2012
Sponsored Athlete by Rockwell Watches
Featured Model on Muscular Development Latino Magazine 2012
RippedNFit
CNN
Golds gym workout equipment
Reebok treadmill model
Q:How did you begin blogging for the Huffington Post?
A:After being featured on CNN as an international fitness mode, single mom, battered women, and full time business woman, my manager called me and said the Huffington Post wanted to share my story on their page and would love for me to blog about fitness and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and not letting anything get in the way.
Q:What's the hardest part about being a single mom? What's the greatest part?
A:This is a tough answer... I think its the simple fact that every time my son does something amazing I can't turn to anyone to share it with. I'm alone! But it is also very hard to educate him and discipline him on my own because all I want to do is spoil him! But, I do know how important it is to have a safe middle, RESPECT is what I call it.
The greatest part about being a mom, is that my son (as I am getting tears in my eyes), was the best thing that could have happened to me. I was in a very abusive marriage, my self esteem was to the ground and I had no faith in myself. I had my families support but it wasn't enough, until Gabriel (my son) came into my life. He is what makes me strong and everything I do is with him in my mind and heart. I want him to grow up to be a great MAN and know the importance of working and accomplishing your dreams no matter how many times you fall or who doesn't believe in you.
Q:Whom do you credit as being your greatest inspiration?
A:My parents no doubt. I know a lot of people say this but honestly my family has lived a hard life... I remember living in a one bedroom, not a one bedroom apartment, but an actual bedroom for about 3 months because we had no money. My dad had 2 full times jobs and would do anything for my brother and I to have whatever we needed, even if that meant, he had to crazy glue the sole of his shoes over and over again. :( Yes I do remember this as a 5 year old little girl. That’s not even 1% of what we lived but he is now a great, successful business man... we have ran businesses since I was 15 years old...he calls me his “right hand”. My mother has been by this man for 29 years... ups and downs, and she is such an amazing women. I have no words to explain how much both my parents have inspired me to be who I am today!
Q:Someone wants to become a NPC competitor like yourself, what piece of advice would you give her?
A:Set realistic goals, start small but end big! Don't ever let negative people make you doubt yourself, there is a reason why they aren't doing it, the sport is not easy thats why not everyone does it! DON’T STOP TILL YOU REACH YOUR GOAL, even if it takes a little longer than you expected!
Q:Do you have any website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest or blog links for the people to get in contact with you or just learn more about you?
A:www.facebook.com/modelgrisselmartinez
@griss_martinez
Instagram grissm
www.cuaimateam.com for the spanish speakers
Interview done by Elliot Rivera for HealtHaven LLC
