Name: Sarah Goodson
Birth Date: September 1982
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 150lbs on-season  165lbs off-season
From: Portland, Oregon  USA
 
 
CONTEST HISTORY
2009 NPC Seven Feathers - 1st Place in Figure E
2009 NPC Oregon Ironman - 3d Place in Figure E
 
 
RFOS Q&A  
 
How long have you been training?
I have been lifting weights since 1997, having started in the gym to improve my strength for varsity and competitive club athletics. My training for competition began in January 2009. Owing to a high-risk pregnancy, I was on hiatus from any physical activity for 16 months, until mid-2007.  
 
When I returned to the gym and began a new fitness program, it was with the initial intent of shedding my pregnancy weight. I had weighed about 260 pounds when my daughter was delivered by C-section in 2006; my waist then measured 57"! As a Type I diabetic, I also felt it important to regain control of my weight in order to be active with my daughter as well as to maintain tight control of my diabetes. I have always believed in self-challenge, and the next step was to train for competition. After competing in 2009 Oregon Ironman, the desire to succeed long term took root. And now — two years into an over 100-pound weight loss along with a total physical transformation — I am in love with the sport.
 

 
What would like to see done to help improve or promote the sport?
I consider myself the new kid on the block. I was not even aware there were divisions apart from Bodybuilding (such as Figure and Fitness) until I began training for my first contest. After being exposed to the sport through observing, training, and competing, I would like to see better promotion of successful athletes and their respective journeys. My own family still believes that the sport is too difficult to pursue, what with family and career obligations. Most who are inexperienced or uneducated about the sport do not understand the emotional, mental, and physical stress that occurs during contest prep — much less during the weeks following a competition — and so sometimes are not as supportive as we athletes would like or even need them to be. Were there more information at the personal and individual level, perhaps more people would take an interest in, and have a better understanding of, the sport in general. It seems there are very few competitions at the local level. At least, it seems that way in the Pacific Northwest. With a growing body of competitors and a deep passion for the sport across the competitor board, more contests at local venues with better media coverage should certainly help increase spectatorship and support.
 
 
What would you like to share about your last contest?
At the 2009 NPC Seven Feathers, I found myself among an amazing group of athletes. I enjoyed the competitor pool and felt satisfied with my class win, despite missing the overall title. Across the board, the athletes were classy; their physiques, dialed; and their dispositions, wonderful.  What a gathering of professionals, including promoters Ron and Susan Smith! Rumor has it this year's competition was the toughest in terms of the competitors on stage, the crowd was the largest in years, and the judges saw a large number of athletes with potential to do well at the national level. I am proud to have been a part of that.
 

 
Do you get negative comments from people with regard to your muscles?  
Yes, from those who don't understand the sport. I feel there is nothing more beautiful on a woman than muscle tone. It's a reflection of hard work and dedication, commitment to a thankless diet and countless hours moving iron, and time away from family. friends, and activities that are considered normal. Muscle is also a testament to a woman's overall fitness. I have been told I look too masculine ... that there is no way I could pull off a dress while looking feminine ...that it's intimidating to some of the men at my gym that I bench or leg press as much that I do (185lbs and 1154lbs, respectively) for reps ... and so on. I take all such comments as compliments instead of criticism — I'm proud of my body! Those close to me are complimentary of my physique. Besides, the opinions I value are those of the people who love and respect me. They understand my passion for training and now competing, and are supportive of my goals.  
 
 
Have you ever surprised yourself with you own strength? Like you forgot you were THAT strong???
During the two to three weeks pre-contest — when cutting carbs and water, doing about a hundred hours a week of cardio and weight training, and all while battling insomnia — my strength seems scant. My lifts in the gym dropped significantly in the last 14 days pre-contest. I took a week off from weight training following Seven Feathers, and began my off-season regimen last week. I was surprised that I could flat bench 135lbs without a spot as well as breeze through a warm-up set on leg press with 12 plates. I found myself laughing through most of my workouts at the time because I forgot what it felt like to lift heavy.
 

 
How have you used your physical strength outside the gym, when it has come in handy?
I am the token mover when family members and friends need help loading furniture on a truck or into new digs! Apparently, moving a mattress isn't that difficult. In all seriousness, I use my strength everyday: carrying my 3-year-old daughter around, bringing 10 grocery bags into the house at once, etc. I don't really consider myself a hulk, but I do find that my physical strength allows me to perform everyday activities without being fatigued. I also find that when I teach my group fitness classes, especially my body works class, being able to push through the hour-long workout without being fatigued helps motivate my students to blast through their own plateaus in the gym.
 
 
Any message for fans?
Thank you for all your support and well wishes! It means an awful lot to know there are people out there who believe in what we do, support us on and off stage, and who cheer and clap and hoot for us when we're in the middle of 20 minutes of call-outs.
 
 
What is the best way to contact you?
FitnessFemme@hotmail.com
 
 
Where can you be found on the web?
http://myspace.com/38131610
http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/SarahGoodson
 
 
What else you would like to share?
I am ISSA certified personal trainer and an AFPA certified group fitness instructor. I am currently working on my ISSA performance nutrition certification, and am returning to college to complete my BS in exercise science and nutrition. I teach body works and spin at LA Fitness as well as working with my contest trainer to provide off-site nutrition and fitness counseling services. If you live in the Portland, Oregon, area and are serious about getting or staying in shape, I am also available for private fitness training. For programs and rates, contact me here: fitnessfemme@hotmail.com
 
I would like to thank my trainer, Michael A. Enlow. A former Marine and all-around booty kicker, he was in my face 24/7 for 16 weeks of contest prep. No matter my attitude, my energy level, or my mental ability, he was there 100% and encouraged me to get it done. I owe much of my development to his training and contest diet, and also to his belief in me. Michael never let me believe that I would accomplish anything but a first place win.  
 
My daughter Ava (bless her little heart) deserves much thanks, too. She put up with Mommy's surliness in the three weeks prior to the contest. She accompanied me to many a late-night posing practice, to weekend training sessions, to all my scheduled group classes, and to diet consults with my trainer. Ava even exclaimed, "Mommy, your suit is pretty!" Aww shucks Baby Girl, Mama loves you!
 

 
Thanks as well to these talented photographers for the courtesy of using their pictures:
Gym bicep & cable curl - Michael Enlow
2-piece front - Dorothy Thurston
2-piece side & back - Jason Henry