• Chris Gurunlian
  I always wanted to compete. After stepping on stage for the very first time, I fell in love with the sport and I have been competing ever since.
• Alex Liska
  Do it for fun.You train super hard all year round so you deserve to showcase your hard work on stage and feel proud! Don't do a show expecting to place high cause you never know what the judges are looking for, so just try your best and have a great ti

Melissa is a personal trainer as well as figure competitor. Melissa is currently preping for the OPA Provincials in London, Ontario June 17th which HypeMuscle is proud to be sponsoring.

Melissa resides in Toronto, Ontario where she is kept busy with her personal training business,  radio programs and photoshoots.

You may recognize Melissa from the 06 Arnold classic where she was signing autographs at the John Stutz Photo booth.

 Describe the first time you ever set foot on the competitive stage.

 My first show  I was shaking a “latino butt shake” on my back pose. It is soooo hard to squeeze every muscle simultaneously for a long time. Especially when in your in heels, onstage in front of an audience, and smiling when you’re dehydrated!! Yup my body looked slammin but I was shaking so much the judges probably couldn’t focus on my number LOL. I always get a little nervous before stepping on stage, that’s what I love about it!! The day I lose that feeling is the day I’ll retire these heels.

Why do you compete?

I compete because I love training!! I love building my body and making progressive improvements year to year. I’m an extremely competitive individual!! Competing allows you to showcase the hours spent on a daily basis training and sets a timeline to keep you focused.

What was your most memorable moment while competing?

 Oh Gosh!! There are sooo many great, and well not so great moments. Having your number called for the first round call outs is awesome!!

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

Check out a couple shows to determine which one you should train for. Different federations look for different physiques, select the one that best suits your body’s potential. Invest in a coach that you trust and who is on the same page with what you want to get out of the process.

What would you say to all those females that avoid weight training in fear they may get too "bulky".

 Find a good trainer who will educate you on developing a balanced program of weight training, cardio, and nutrition. Weight training is the best way to get tighter, smaller and healthier. If you simply cut calories and hammer cardio, sure you will lose weight, but chances are you will look flaccid and your bodyfat percentage, energy and health wont be as improved as it would be with weight training.

Speaking of diet what is your approach to diet?

I try and “keep it clean” most of the time. For show prep about sixteen weeks out, I cut out simple sugars, most dairy and consume about 210g protein and carbs per day. As I get closer to contest day the carbs cut down, I really don’t go low carb until the last two weeks. Five Weeks out all fruit and dairy is out and I’m all chicken, fish, steak, yams, brown rice, and oats. Only one shake in the am and the rest of my meals derived from real food sources.

 What does your training routine look like?

The key to training is to not get into a long “set routine”. I’ve made the greatest gains by keeping it fresh and really staying in tune with my body, going on how I feel and look. Currently my routine is:

Monday: Chest, triceps, and abs
Tuesday: Back, Biceps, and rear delts
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: Shoulders and abs
Friday: Arms, Abs
Saturday: Legs
Sunday: Off

Cardio: Everyday

 What type of cardio do you advocate H.I.T. style or L.I?

Both depending on how much cardio i attend to perform.

 What is your favorite bodypart to train?

 This one is always a hard question, right now, I’d say shoulders. I love the look of pumped shoulders.

 what does it take to develop an aesthetically pleasing physique?

Desire. You need to have the desire to constantly improved.

What would you say is your favorite cheat food?

Module dates ice cream at Rich, Dense, Soft Sweets!!! Or licorice allsorts…lol this list may never end!!

What would you say is one of the goofiest things you have ever done?

 I think i do alot of silly things...

What do you enjoy doing in your off time?

I love traveling, reading, shopping, cooking, photography, I love doing it all!!

If you won the lottery you would...

Have a lot of options LOL

 Whats something you cant get enough of right now?

Yolanda Adam's song "Gonna be Nice", its steady on repeat in my car.

 Anything else you would like to add?

 I'd like to take this oppportunity and invite everyone to check out my site at melissatucker.com, and a big thanks to HypeMuscle for doing this interview.