Linda Cusmano

The spotlight introduces Linda "Angel" Cusmano. This 5'3 120lbs fitness competitor is a contest prep coach in British Columbia who provides services from seminars, workshops, to online consultations. In "99"  Angel earned her pro card at the Ms. Fitness CNBF Western Naturals, she has been competiting since 1996.

What word of advice would you give to any inspiring competitor?

Go for it.  Set a date a year ahead, plan out your year for training, diet, skills etc and go for it.  You can’t learn more than when you actually do it, even just as a learning experience to better your game for a show you really want to win. I am always offering help and advice so I always suggest anyone email me with specific questions and usually diet and training history will help me direct them, especially photos!!

Why Compete?

I saw a contest on TV and said, “I can do that’ and had recently been working out with weights in recovery of anorexia and had put muscle on very easily of course but beyond the initial gains I kept gaining nicely and more than average so I really knew I could attain this goal and went for it.

Describe the first time ever you stepped on stage.

I was white, had no idea about pro tan, arms and legs straight, had no idea about posing.  No toothy smile, just a shy closed mouth, unsure smile and looking at the gals beside me for an idea of what to do!

 What was your most memorable moment while competing?

Winning my first pro card in Fitness!

 After a contest the first thing you want to eat is?

The first thing i want is Pepsi!! 

The one thing you  hate and love about competiting?

I Hate  the politics involved with the sport. The thing i most love is winning, one of the best feelings you can ever experience.

 What does your training routine look like?

This is always changing but I like super sets, 6 day split and tri sets have given me my best results so far with cardio moderate but almost daily. I like to do old lifts like deadlift, squats, dips, pullups, tricep dips, chins and the flag……these are always in my routine somewhere.  I mix circuits and interval training for active rest weeks.

What would you like to say to those women out there who avoid weight training like the plague in fear they may get too bulky.

Don’t!  I say, if you really want a hot bod, lift weights, how much you lift, the sets and reps will dictate nice soft shape and tone or hard muscle which overall the latter is much harder to get naturally so lifting weights will not just get you big – I wish!

What's your approach to dieting?

 Vegetarian, high protein, good fats and I like to say off season you eat clean all week and do as you please on weekends. Although not everyone can get away with that to an extreme but then for those individuals maybe a cheat meal once per week or on the weekend.

What does it take to develop an aesthetically pleasing physique such as yours?

1-2 hours 5-6 times per week of cardio and weights.  A well planned out workout and lifestyle of clean eating for the most part.

 What would you say is your favorite bodypart to train?

 Abs, cuz they are strong and thick!  I can do some impressive exercises with my abs!

 What does the future have in store for Angel?

 I am working toward my last pro card for figure and fitness and entering a non tested circuit rather than the natural circuit which is what I have been competing in for years and have attained my goals and pro cards in that area now. My next show is in 6 months locally to tier up toward my pro card simultaneously in figure and fitness.

What are your favorite Movies or songs?

I love action, Steven Seagal, Van Damme, love martial arts movies, even the B ones. My favorite songs would have to be hip hop, I love "dirty riding" right now...

 What was one of the goofiest things you have ever done?

Two step my way out of a blank spot in a routine until I figured out where I was in my routine and able to catch up and catch onto it again…

If you won the lottery, you would…

Do so many things!  Make my spouse retire!  Buy land and rescue many animals, fight the pitbull banning, start up a magazine maybe a gym???

 Nah, who wants to work, I would do the rescue work and help save animals, pitbulls especially and rescue race breeds like horses, greyhound…fight pitbull fighting and stop pitbull abuse, fight illegal breeding…just shit disturb anyone who is corrupt with animals!!!

 What is the most wildest thing you have ever done?

 Compete!  Nothing compares!

For more information regarding Angel or services offered by Linda for contest prep, training, diet, or online services.  Please visit her online sites at lindacusmano.com, fitnessteambc.com, and bodyrushpersonaltraining.com