Hardbody – Female Sports, Health and Fitness

We’re just days away from the first IFBB Pro Figure event of 2010 and Mendi Sakamoto is stoked to be part of it. I caught up with the blonde beauty as she heads into this weekend’s Phoenix Pro show. Take a minute to get to know a bit more about Mendi and how she balances her “Brady Bunch” life and competing.

HB: It’s been a year or so since we last saw you compete. What prompted you to take some time off?
I had a pretty painful shoulder injury that required some time off from hard training. Nothing too serious, just overuse. I kind of looked at the time off as a blessing in disguise, and we (my husband and I) were able to spend the year focusing on the kids and their many activities. It was also a great opportunity for us to take time off and travel to places like Sun Valley, the Bahamas, Napa Valley and Vegas. It is so nice to travel without having to bring your food or obsess about getting your workouts in!

HB: How many children do you have?
We are a Brady bunch…a blended family with 5 kids. I had 3 children and my husband had 2 when we married.

HB: What’s the key to balancing a family life and a competitive figure life?
You really have to be organized and manage your time well. Every night before I go to bed I write out a list of what I need to get done the next day and schedule everything. While getting ready for a show it becomes really important for me to make sure that I prioritize what’s important….my faith, my family and my training…the rest can wait.

HB: Why comeback at this show?
I am healthy and ready to compete again. As crazy as it sounds, I actually missed the discipline and the whole process that goes into preparing for a show. I plan to compete in a few shows this year and really wanted to get after it early in the season. It certainly didn’t hurt that it is in Phoenix and as a former baseball player, my husband is looking forward to watching a little Spring Training while we are down there.

HB: Have you trained differently since you last competed?
Much more of a functional workout program. I still hit the weights hard, but I have added track workouts a couple times a week… sprints, intervals, running stairs and plyometrics. My goal has been to balance out my physique and bring up my lower body.

HB: Looking back…is there anything you wish someone would have told you about when you first got started?
Use a professional tanning service like Jan Tana…It is one less thing that you have to worry about the day of the show and you know that they will do a great job.

HB: Any supplements you take that you’d recommend to other women?
Udo’s oil, Vitamin C, and Muscle Milk protein plus

HB: How do you maintain a balance with your husband while dieting?
Like many parents, a lot of my evenings are consumed with kids, sports and activities…but once a week Jeff and I block out an evening for date night. We really try to be intentional about spending time together and having fun…even when I am dieting. For example, last week on our date night we went out to the gun range…and had a blast (No pun intended)

NICE! Let me fire off a few things and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind.

Guys with mullets are___
deal-breakers

I’m really craving____
yellow cake with sprinkles

I can’t sleep without____
3 pillows and a ceiling fan

Gallon jugs are_____
Ummm…are we talking water or boobs?

HAHA!

Anyone you’d like to thank in closing?
My husband, Jeff, is an amazing partner and I wouldn’t be able to do all this without his support and understanding. Also, Mark Nichols with Sledge Athletics here in Portland has been a great resource to keep me focused and accountable.

Good luck Mendi! We’ll see ya in Phoenix.