One on One with Canadian Fitness superstar Myriam Capes

1)First off, I want to say thank you Myriam for taking time out of your busy schedule to do this interview for us. Let's start off with some background information about yourself?

Well it's a pleasure for me David. Special Thanks to you and to Muscle Insider for giving me this opportunity.

2) What got you started into Fitness?

I started weight training at the age of seventeen after taking one year off from gymnastics. One day, a friend of mine told me that I should come with him to the gym because I was becoming a very inactive person! I had no idea what to do in a gym, so I started doing stretching and doing some gymnastics moves; that’s what I knew best! Right then and there a trainer came up to me and told me about Fitness competitions! I got back home and was very excited about this, and after talking with my parents, I started prepping for my first show the day after and I’ve never stopped since!

3) Were you interested in Fitness as a child or were you always an athlete and you turned to Fitness later in your teen years?

Like I said before, since I was a little gymnast from 4 to 16 years old, I  always have dreamed about the Olympics and when I discovered Fitness at the age of 17, I fell in love with that sport because through hard training and good living, it allows me to achieve my goal of being a world-class athlete.

4) What do you think the future of the fitness category in Canada will be?

Well I wish that the fitness category will still continue to grow as the years go by. One of my desire is to continue to inspire young girls or gymnasts, like I used to be, to start competing in Fitness.

5) What challenges have you had to overcome as a female getting in to the fitness industry, as a Canadian competing against Americans, and as a Pro Fitness athlete vs figure and bikini?

I think that one of the biggest challenges for me at the beginning was the language barrier and to actually be able to let people to know more about me and my personality in a different language than mine. I didn't speak really good English at the beginning but I always found a way to make myself understand. With time and lot of practise I feel much more comfortable today.

6) What is your current training split? How do you specifically train? Does it differ from Offseason to on season prep?

Monday: AM: Glutes-Hamstring – PM: 45min cardio escalator
Tuesday: AM: 45min cardio escalator & abs – PM: ROUTINE – Shoulders
Wednesday: AM: Quads- PM: 45min cardio escalator
Thursday: 45min cardio escalator & abs – PM: ROUTINE – Back
Friday: OFF
Saturday: AM: 45min cardio escalator- PM: ROUTINE
Sunday: AM: 45min cardio escalator & abs- PM: Chest & arms
For the ASF 2015 preparation's I have trained heavier than I used to so I can put back some muscle to my physic. Usually performing one body part per day in tri-set with some negative tempo. My off season workout doesn't really change from my prep one's but I'm definitely doing less cardio to give my body a break.

I also wanted to thank my choreographer Brigitte Korak! We have been working on a killer routine for the Arnold Classic!

7) What is your biggest accomplishment in the Fitness Industry?

My 2011 OLYMPIA 3nd place finishing

8) How do you balance life with training? I know when we last spoke you mentioned you work 3 jobs, How do you make it all work?

HAHA!!! I'm superwoman that's why I'm able to do all that.
Seriously, I don't work 3 jobs David but two and it's enough with the training and prep on top of it...
Well the only way to get it all worked out is to be really structured and organized so not to lose any time and be super productive. I'm used to functioning this way as I have been an athlete all my life and needed to manage 30 hours of gymnastics training with school and homework. I LOVE it this way; I feel alive!!! :)

9) The fans would like to know about your peek week leading up to Arnold's/Olympia? What methods do you use?

I have tried different ways to plan the last week attending to a show as I have work with different trainers in the past few years.
This time I'm working with my boyfriend Esteban Duval, Nathuropath, who I would love to thanks for all his time, support and amazing knowledge. I have seen my body transforming since the past Olympia and I couldn't have done this without him. It's going to be my best condition ever and I'm so grateful to have him by my side to share my dream with me.

This year we are using a different approach to peak week. I will be using a loading phase method as well as, a dehydration method. I can’t give away all my secrets, but when you see me on stage, you will see the best Myriam Capes to date!

10) Do you currently use any supplements? If so, what do you use and why?

-Multivitamine USANA HEALTH PACK
-Vitamin C 1000mg
-Fish Oil – 5ml per day
-Zinc
-Calcium-Magnesium
-Vitamin D   : 1000IU- 1 caps per day
-ALA : 200mg – 1 caps with each meal ( CARB DAY)
-Chrominum Picolinate : 100 mg- 1 caps per meal ( CARB DAY)
-Vanadyl Sulfate:25mg per meal ( CARB DAY)
-Alpha GPC 2caps morning-2 caps bedtime
-Garlic Concentrate- 1 caps per day
-GABBA 2-3g before bedtime
-BCAA 5g during each workout
-Isolat protein Perfect Whey Chocolate

11) If you had to give just one of your secrets to bodybuilding and life success, what is your best piece of advice/information for everyone?

ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, hold onto faith and always follow your dreams with your heart! When you love what you do and do what you love, this is when big things come your way!! It won't always be easy, but always keep your head up and look forward, and NEVER STOP BELIEVING!! ALL DREAMS CAN COME TRUE!!

12) Tell us about your plans for 2015?

2015 is going to be the biggest year of my career!!! I'm planning to be competing at 7 shows this year; Fitness International, Europa Orlando, Arnold Brazil, Toronto Super Pro Show, OLYMPIA, Arnold Europe and Phoenix or Finland.

13) What is your 1, 3 and 5 year plan in the sport? What do you want to accomplish?

1: Win as many shows as I can and without hesitation to win the OLYMPIA title and mark the history by becoming the 1st Canadian to accomplish that

3: Still winning the OLYMPIA and representing the sport worldwide by doing seminar, guess posing or appearances everywhere
Also, I will love to be a model for young kids to teach them a healthy live style and motivate them to follow their dream by believing in themselves.

5: Still a little bit too far away to say but I think that in 5 years from now I will maybe be at the end of my career or close to...
On top of being an icon for the sport, I would love to promote shows to keep the sport alive, especially in Montreal and in Canada.