Ann Gruber - Figure Angel Profile
NAME: Ann Gruber
COMPETITION DIVISION (BODYBUILDING, FITNESS, FIGURE, BIKINI) : Figure
FAV BODY PART TO TRAIN: Shoulders
FAV CHEAT MEAL: Anything with sugar – cheesecake, ice cream & peanut butter pie
FAV COMPETITION PREP MEAL: Oatmeal
WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE WORLD OF COMPETITION? : I have always been very competitive and involved in some sort of competitive sport. After I quit playing tennis in college, I started hitting the gym hard and loving every second of it. My dream was to compete but I knew, at the time, that I would never be able to stick to the diet because I was very quickly displaying signs of alcoholism, even at the young age of 19. Even as the drinking quickly caused my life to become unmanageable over the next 7 years, I continued to hit the gym, as it was my only reprieve from the havoc I was creating in my life. It gave me an hour or two a day to regain just an ounce of emotional stability and physical comfort. I finally got sober when I was 26 years old. It took me a few years to regain my confidence and self-esteem, as I had spent almost 10 years tearing it down. When I turned 31, having over 4 years of sobriety, I finally had built back enough confidence to start prepping my body for my first competition. I competed in my first 2 shows at 31 and fell in love with it the first time I stepped on stage. Entering the world of competition has been more than just picking up a new sport, rather it has symbolized a huge stepping stone in my recovery because it has allowed me to overcome my fears, and the confident and disciplined person that I truly am has been able to emerge. Figure competing put a spark back in my life that I was desperately seeking and the rewards that have come along with entering the world of competition have been beyond my wildest dreams.
WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING DURING A 12 WEEK PREP: Two mentalities – 1) Getting that Pro Card, and 2) Always, always bring your best.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT COMPETITION: The camaraderie with the other competitors.
IF YOU COULD SNAP YOUR FINGERS AND MAKE ONE BODY PART INSTANTLY PERFECT WHAT WOULD THAT BE?: My legs
WHEN YOUR STANDING ON STAGE, WAITING FOR THE FIRST CALL OUT TO BE CALLED, WHAT THOUGHTS ARE RUNNING THROUGH YOUR MIND?: “Confidence, Confidence, Confidence”….and don’t trip.