This month, The Muscular Asian Woman is proud to celebrate its one-year anniversary by interviewing Mona Liza Reyes, who likes to be called, simply enough: "MO."  Born in Subic Bay, Philippines, she grew up in San Jose, California, where she lives today.  Standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall (158 cm), MO says cheerfully that she is "31 years young."  

MAW: Welcome, MO! How did you get started in fitness?  What got you into it?
MO: I lived a very inactive lifestyle that consisted of partying and frequent alcohol consumption. In 2002, I completed my first marathon. In 2003, I attended my very first bodybuilding show and was inspired by the figure competitors-- especially the 'masters' class. Around that same time, I picked up a copy of Oxygen magazine with Elaine Goodlad on the cover.  It was a combination of the two that motivated me to do my very first figure show that summer in 2003.

MAW: What motivated you to do that first marathon? 
MO: This is going to sound terrible, but it's the God honest truth: the first marathon I chose to run was in Honolulu in December 2002. The main reason why I chose to do it was because if I raised a certain amount of funds for a certain non-profit (the San Francisco AIDS Foundation), my airfare and hotel expenses would be covered.  It was a six month training program, so by month number three, it wasn’t about the trip to Hawaii anymore-- it was about remaining committed to finish something I started.  I never would've thought I'd have the desire to complete 26.2 miles on foot, but the moment I crossed that finish line, my life and my perception of it changed forever. Two years following that moment, I ran three more marathons then seriously pursued competing in the sport of figure. 

MAW: Who are your role models? Why? 
MO: In this sport of figure, I really look up to Elaine Goodlad. She was the pro figure that intrigued me because she is stunningly beautiful, muscular and very down to earth. I have never been 'star struck,' but I was for the first time when I saw her at the NPC California Figure Pro show in 2004. I was standing next to her and was too shy to say, "hi."  Two months later, I did a photo shoot with her husband, Terry Goodlad. They were very hospitable and allowed me to stay at their house overnight.  She did my make-up and shared with me her stories and struggles.  She has an uncanny sense of humor, keeps it real and is very humble.  Till this day, I do see her at shows and we act as if we're friends from years back. At last year's USA, she honored me by rockin' a GO TEAM MO tank top. Definitely a highlight to my competition weekend!

MAW: How long have you been training?
MO: I started training in mid-2002. It truly became 'serious' after I went to my first bodybuilding competition in Spring 2003. I honestly didn’t think that competing in this sport would become a passion, but here I am, five years later, getting ready for my 15th show [laughing].

MAW: How did you place in your first competition? 
MO: My first show was with the World Natural Bodybuilding Association. There were 13 girls and at that time, there were no height classes with that organization. I ended up placing seventh, which, for my very first show, I was very pleased with.

MAW: Which class do you compete in?
MO: Short Class: 5 feet 2 inches and under [<158 cm]. I prefer to call it the 'vertically challenged' class. ☺

MAW: Are you preparing for a contest now? Which one? 
MO: YES! I have my eyes set on two-- in late June will be the Junior California, and another national show, the USA’s in Las Vegas this July.

MAW: What do you do when you are not at the gym?
MO: Every Spring, I am a volunteer coach for an awesome non-profit organization called Girls on the Run.  It's a 12 week program targeting girls between 8 and 11 years old, talking about issues that face them today.  Peer pressure, positive body images, and nutrition are some of the topics we cover in an environment where I also prepare them to run their first 5k race (3.1 miles).  As my career, I work in Marketing and Franchise Development with a company called Blendz, a concept serving ‘healthier fast food.'  I am also part of JamCoreTraining, founded by IFBB Pro Jamo Nezzar. As the face for women's fitness, I post workout training techniques that you can download onto your iPod. It's like having a personal trainer you can take with you to the gym.

MAW: I know a lot of women who would love to have you as a trainer, so the podcast sounds like a great idea.  What keeps you motivated to do all of this? 

MO: Several things keep me motivated.  Old pictures of what I looked like before I adopted this as a lifestyle. I am truly overwhelmed of the amount of support I have received from friends, family and 'fans.' Words of encouragement and positive energy are always more than enough to lift my spirits when I have 'one of those days.' Believe me, I'm just a regular girl and there are times when I'm just tapped out of energy and am emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted.  Having other Asians express their pride that I am a representation of them is truly a motivational factor, as it is an honor to be considered as role model. But, the ultimate driving force is being surrounded by friends who are also in this industry who share that desire to make our mark in this sport. IFBB pro Ray Arde has been a great source of inspiration these past couple of years. He helped prepare me for my last season in 2007.

MAW: What is your favourite body part to train?
MO: My favorite body part train would be my shoulders. I always admired round and defined shoulders. I never had them my first couple of years competing and now they're becoming developed.  Exercising abs has always been a fun for me, although I don't train them often. I think because the way I train them varies so much is a lot of the reason why I do enjoy training them.

MAW: Which body part do you like training the least?
MO: It's a cross between back and legs.  Back, because it's the least developed part on me, not to mention, in terms of strength, it's also my weakest. Legs, because they're a blessing and a curse. Naturally, my legs are muscular and very dominant. Bringing them down means cardio, cardio and, did I mention, cardio? 

MAW: I am of the opinion that calf development tends to be penalized, with judges favouring a more tapered leg.  You mentioned that you have to "bring your legs down."  How do you feel this is judged in competition, and how do you think it is trending?
MO: Growing up, my calves were the body part I was most self-conscious about because they were naturally so over-developed. I guess you could say I eventually grew into them. In elementary school, the mean kids didn't call me 'man legs' for nothing [laughing]!

When I said I have to 'bring my legs down,' I referred more to the size of my quads.  I am very petite in my upper body, so having a more dominant lower body makes me look less symmetrical.  It really is more of an 'illusion' of what kind of package you present on stage.  I don't have a tiny waist, so I have to work harder to create width in my shoulders and back to create an 'x-factor' to match my legs. I have been able to achieve that these past 2 seasons and have put on a decent amount of size in my upper body to look more proportioned with my lower body. Overall, the judges are looking for symmetry, rather than size or extreme leanness. This year, I plan to come in my best conditioning yet!

Mo in 2004		Mo in 2007

MAW: On the same vein, it is sometimes hard to tell what judges are looking for, and I know competitors had some troubles after rule changes.  Is it getting easier to tell what the judges look for in a figure competition?
MO: It's definitely hard to understand what the judges are looking for. I think all figure athletes participate in this sport knowing that there really isn't a clear definition of what the judges will be rewarding. It seems to change every year. It truly is a very subjective sport.  In all honesty, I don't really initiate feedback from the judges after a show, because if I train according to what he/she has told me to do, there may be a chance that what that judge is looking for may not be the same as what another judge is looking for.  Bottom line-- I just continue to improve and be the best I can be. It's important for me to feel comfortable in my own skin and the only way I know how to do that is to be true to me. I guess that sounds kind of cheesy, but that’s what I've been doing since I started competing in 2003 and it hasn't failed me yet. We'll see what 2008 holds, and I have faith it will be many wonderful things-- regardless of my overall placing. 

MAW: What does a typical meal look like when you are getting ready for a contest?
MO: White fish, chicken breasts, egg whites, oatmeal, sweet potato, asparagus, broccoli. Baked, broiled, grilled, or 'nuked'-- definitely nothing special. When it's contest time, it's as basic as K.I.S.S: keeping it simple, silly-- because I'm known to try to be creative with my food, which doesn't necessarily mean it's the most beneficial.

MAW:  What did you mean by being "creative with your food?"
MO: When eating my egg whites as my first meal of the day, I have to throw onions in there (for flavor), red peppers, and broccoli or asparagus. I need to see bright colors in my food to trick myself into thinking it's so much greater than what it truly is. When I said 'creative,' I really meant visually creative. ☺

MAW:  Do you find the dieting to be difficult?
MO: YES! To me, dieting is more difficult than training and doing cardio. Before discovering my love to compete in figure, I had (and still have) an appetite to out-eat even the hungriest of men! Being raised in the Filipino culture, I grew up with food that is deep-fried, loaded with sodium, and super fattening. Making the transition from 'normal eating' habits to one that is meticulously portioned for the sole purpose of fuel for the body was a hard one to make.

MAW: Egg whites with onion and vegetables sounds good to me!  I imagine it gets repetitive, though.  So, what is your favorite CHEAT FOOD?
MO: I can’t name one: PIZZA AND ICE CREAM!

MAW: What are your future goals?
MO: I've created a 'fan-base' with GO TEAM MO and would love make that brand to evolve into something bigger. Whether it’s working with getting kids healthier or training adults, I see GO TEAM MO as being a brand that the average person can relate to. Like I mention on my website, TEAM MO isn't just about me, it's about wanting to be:

We'll have to see what the future holds, but regardless of where it takes me, one thing for sure, long after I have retired from competing, I will definitely be involved in the fitness industry. Who knows…maybe I can be the next Kiana Tom and instead of Flex Appeal it will be Be Mo’ Betta!

MAW: What would you say to other women who are interested in bodybuilding and fitness?
MO: DO IT! Don't be scared of getting 'bulky'-- lifting weights is great for you! If the thought crosses your mind and it's something you're curious to try, ain't nothin’ to it but to do it! It takes discipline, determination, faith and a whole lot of heart. But your reason for doing it has to be for you!

MAW: Is there anything else you would like to say?
MO: I want to say thank you to everyone for the growing support I have received through the years. To my trainer, Matt Allen, for helping me prepare for this upcoming season. Built Tuff Gym for sponsoring my training.  My loving family, who never really understood this sport, but have been my number one fans from the beginning-- I love you Mom, Dad, Levi and Lola!  My unofficial publicist, 'Chelle-- thank you for finding me and opening my eyes to the potential that is about to be realized.  Last but not least, to my fiancé, Ronald, for sticking by my side and supporting me in this hobby I am so passionate about, 143RVP!  And finally, I wouldn't be a great self-promoter if I didn't mention my websites, check out: www.GoTeamMo.com, www.JamCoreTraining.com, and www.MyFitTribe.com.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

MAW: Also, many thanks to you, MO.  To say that you give an energetic interview is an understatement!  Please keep us updated about your many endeavours.

More soon,


Mona Liza Reyes links:
…Go Team Mo Website
…at JamCore Training
…at MyFitTribe.com
…profile at Blendz.com
…interview with Maria Kang at Fitness Cure

Related items:
Mona Liza Reyes LIVE on the radio