LEIGH PENMAN – RX MUSCLE
I FINALLY FOUND MY WAY…
“So many people tried to help me on my way,
So little time and there’s so much to say,
There’s no explainin’ all the things that I’ve been through…
But I finally found my way to you.” – KISS
There can be no better way to begin this final part in the Sheila Bleck story than by quoting these lyrics from one of her favorite bands, Kiss. And there can be no better way to continue this interview than by looking once again at the unique and straight forward essence of her character…
????
Y’know Sheila, I find it admirable that you claim to be a “hard ass” when it comes to being ?authentic in your life and simply being you. Given that…how would you describe yourself if?you were to give an honest evaluation?
??“Oh this isn’t easy to answer… When I said ‘I am a hard ass’ it’s directed at how I have designed my life, to meet my needs and NOT someone else’s needs. My home is quiet…unless I am blaring my rock tunes. If you’re not a rocker, you won’t like it here… and I will not change my ways for you on that!?“My home has no distractions, no alcohol or narcotic? drugs and no smoking either in my home or around me. Also no junk food is allowed in my home. That is what I mean when I say I am a hard ass when it comes to me being me…
There is a major reason why I am so determined in my ways. Basically, in life, I have been there, done that, seen it or lived it and as a woman today what I have is simple. It is pleasing and no matter what happens everything is going to be all right…
because it is all good. My home is my sanctuary. I am a Libra so I always seek balance and beauty in my life.”??
What do you think the greatest misconception people have when it comes?to you is?
??“I don’t think there is one and that’s part of the issue. Here let me explain…I am a very readable person. If I look unapproachable it is because at that moment in time I may very well be. If you find that I am quiet?then yes I am deep in thought. If I am working out? Then leave me alone, I know you are there. I just need to focus on what I am doing. If it seems I am in a rush then once again yes… I am in a hurry please don’t stop me!!?I am not a total ass! It is just that every day I am on a schedule. ?But here is the thing, that I really can’t stand (and something that has followed me throughout my life) people who approach me and say… ‘You know you seem so interesting and I feel drawn to you’ and then they feel the need to ask me a dozen questions that I have heard so many times. Now if I allow this to happen it literally robs me of so much time…time that I can never get back. I feel that all this time is taken from me and what makes it worse is that I did not share the same feelings that they felt they needed to share with me.”
You seem to give so much of your time to the sport, what do you like to do to relax?
??“This question is hard for me to answer because I see that I don’t really do anything that is considered ‘relaxing’ when I am not prepping, I am still busting ass. Basically I just keep going until I am tired and burned out… that’s kind of relaxing!?I used to be able to hide out at my mom’s back in Oregon…but living in Florida these past few years, I have no family here. I guess if I had a lover I would be able to answer this question a whole lot easier, as I would like to spend my time outside of work and the gym in a cocoon with them. But for now, regardless of prep, I enjoy my night runs…I also like going to YBOR City to watch movies.”
??For your last show you worked with John Romano. How did that association come?about and what changes did he make to your diet and workouts??
“Well, as it happens, it is quite an interesting story….?I met this man face to face at the 2009 Arnold Classic. Quite a moment for me as I never?dreamed I would ever meet this man. I was a silent fan of his work and a huge fan of Shelly Beattie. ?I often thought of him as the year went by and then we met again at the 2009 Nationals… which was when we decided to do our leg workout for RX Muscle. After that workout, I was on a total high. A high I had longed for… he made me feel like I could climb mountains. It was on that day I knew he would be very good for my contest prep.?I mentioned to Joel Goldberg about my interest in him being my prep coach for my pro career. I was far too insecure and feared rejection if I asked him myself so Joel stepped in and consulted with Mr. Romano on this subject. By that night I was on the phone with ‘coach’ John Romano. He and I obviously ran off with the idea from there.”??As far as my diet was concerned I went fully on the keto diet. My actual food intake increased and my training was increased…and by this I mean I was doing 2-3 hours of cardio.” ???
You are known for your posing on stage. Personally I think artistically you have a lot?in common with Diana Dennis. Who would you say had the most influence on your posing routines???“
I was in fact influenced by the pictures in the bodybuilding magazines. You can learn so many things from?a photograph. For example, in my opinion, Lee Labrada is one of the most artistic posers in the history of bodybuilding as far as I am concerned. Not far behind him are Frank Zane, Frances Benaffato and Shawn Ray.?Each of these men knew how to transition from ground up and fall into each pose so eloquently. I also have a few years of modern dance training behind me so I already have the agility, balance, transition skills and knowledge of stage presentation. So, given that, I would simply take a pose from each photograph, stretch into it, learn how to transition into it and then apply it to music. My choreography is really just a journey of self creation.”
???You also do choreography for other athletes. How difficult is it coming up with fresh new and exciting routines for other people as well as yourself??
“When it comes to creating new routines for myself it can be really difficult if I have ‘writers block’. Something has to touch me in such a way that it electrifies my soul and makes me want to move…and when that happens I begin creating. It seems there are only so many poses so many moves one can do before it’s all redundant…?However, I recently worked with Melody Spetko for her show in Canada. She needed a routine, so I listened to her music twice and then choreographed the whole thing in two minutes flat. I feel that the finished product, when she interpreted it, came over as articulate, feminine and strong.?
In actual fact, when an athlete approaches me to do their posing routine I may very well turn down the offer if the music they choose does not have any impact on me. I am only good with certain sounds. However, if everything works out I look closely at the athlete’s posing style and ask them which poses they would most like to include in their routine. From there I just make it more articulate, teach them how to do transitions, match everything to the music…and it’s done!”
Now that you have qualified for the Olympia what is your game plan in the time you have before the show??
“Not much changes; you just keep riding your wave. For me this time is particularly hard on me mentally. I have consulted with many people and, having said that, I would like to personally say thank you to my coach (John Romano) Joel Goldberg, Mazin Ali, Steve Weinberger and Dave Palumbo.
Competition is not easy folks. It can be a mental minefield. If you allow yourself too much ‘quiet time’ your mind will venture into areas it has no business going and create all kinds of stress and fear within you. So at this point in time it is just me keeping it together mentally and, in the words of my coach…
‘Stick to the plan and just focus, focus, focus. I am here and your image every day is in front of my brain.’
?Finally, as far as life in general is concerned if you could be the architect of your future, how would you design that future? Where would you be, what would you be doing and who would you be with?
???“Oh wow, this question is WAY too complicated for me. I do know that I want my life to be more peaceful. I love Florida and practically refuse to leave!
My twin sister and I often talk about opening a ‘wellness home’, a healing and mystical place with cool cottage rooms and whiskey barrels filled with sweet-pea flowers (which my mother turned me onto) and herbs. Sherry and I have a lot that we would like to do and we are plucking away to bring us closer to our goal every year. I believe we will have it in the next three years.
I would also like to have my mother be a part of this as it would bring our family closer together. As for the others….well I am sure my friends today will still be around and I see a whole lot of smiles in the future!”
So there you have it…the Sheila Bleck story. And let me tell you one thing…at this point in time Sheila is focused, on target and ready to rock the Olympia. Let the show begin!
LEIGH PENMAN – RX MUSCLE
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