Interview With Annette Perry

Critical Bench: Annette, introduce yourself to Critical Bench!

Hey everyone!! My name is Annette Perry and I am a National Bikini and Fitness Competitor. I began competing 4 years ago and it was love at first sight!! Fitness Completes me :)

Critical Bench: Annette, you have a workout system that is so intense and interesting which we can see from your videos. Please tell us about your workout in details.

I cannot take the credit for my workout schedule! I work with Cathy Savage Fitness and they provide me with my nutrition every month along with my training. Right now I am "in- season" so I have a pretty intense regimen. I have 7 days of cardio, 2 days of full body lifts and 2 days of a class I take called Strength Express. The class incorporates weights, sprinting, plyos, ladder drills and so much more. It helps to keep my training interesting and it helps me tremendously with my fitness routine!

Critical Bench: You do have one interesting routine! How did you come up with it?

I have worked with Cathy and her team of amazing coaches/ trainers for 3 years now. They provide me with everything!! I just follow what they tell me to do... and it works!!!

Critical Bench: Annette, can you tell us the big secret about getting the abs that you have?

Ohhhh the abs!! LOL. let me tell ya a little secret, but shhhhh don't tell anyone ;) !! The abs have EVERYTHING to do with the diet!!! I don't do anything special for them! As long as I follow my training routine and eat clean then the abs will follow!

Critical Bench: Let's hear your diet! What supplements do you take? Do you eat clean year round?

My diet consists of lots of protein including fish, chicken, egg whites and beef, starches which include sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and brown rice, and good fats including flax oil, udos oil, salmon... and lets not forget coconut oil. Sooooo good!! I love to drizzle it on my greens! I also eat tons of veggies and love my fruits! I do eat clean year-round as I never know when I am going to get a call for a photoshoot or an event. The only supplement that I take is protein powder- I love BSN's Lean Dessert Banana Cream- SO GOOD!

Critical Bench: Annette, so far in your fitness journey, do you have a funny and crazy moment that you'd like to share?

It is so hard to pick out just one!! I have made some friends of a lifetime in my fitness journey over the last 4 years. We train together, laugh together, cry together... and more than anything, we act like total and complete goofballs together!! If you ever see us backstage, we are dancing, singing (and let me tell you, I am the worst singer ever but it doesn't stop me) and laughing. We crank up the music in the dressing rooms, and from that point on it is a total party!

Critical Bench: Annette, that is awesome! You're lucky to be bonded like family! Tell us a moment in your life that really changed you!

The first fitness show that I attended changed my life. My journey through fitness has really taught me so much about myself. Never did I think in a million years that I could push my mind and my body past its limits. This sport has shown me that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.

Critical Bench: Then you went on to win the Fitness Atlantica> and then the Jay Cutler right after! What was it like winning fitness atlantic and then the Jay Cutler? Tell us about some of the shows you won, your reactions and how you celebrated!

The Fitness Atlantic is one of my favorite shows of the year. Each year I strive to do better than the last. This year I finally did it- I won fitness!!!!!! Wow! I still can't believe it! I am just so honored and blessed to be able to share the stage with some of the best fitness athletes in the world. These women are so talented and I learn so much from being around them. There was so much talent on the stage that day. I did not think I was going to take home the title to be honest, but in the end they called my name.... that was such a proud moment for me. I get chills thinking about it!

One week later I competed in the Jay Cutler in Boston. I had planned on competing in that show to get my routine on stage again so we could work out the kinks for Fitness Universe. Last minute I decided to compete in the new bikini division as well. I figured since I was there I may as well get on stage as much as I can!! That was such a fun day!! I ended up placing 2nd in fitness and winning the bikini division!!! I celebrated by going to an amazing italian restaurant- complete with pasta and wine!!! That was quite a celebration!!

Critical Bench: Did you expect to win all of those shows? Did it catch you by surprise that you won Fitness Atlantic and the Jay Cutler? Were you shocked?

This year and last year have been quite amazing for me. Never in a million years did I expect to win any of the shows that I signed up for. Like I said before, there are so many talented women that I compete with... to be grouped in with those women is just amazing to me. Each show that I have won has been a complete surprise and I am so honored and thankful for those experiences.

Critical Bench: You have it all going for you right now! What is next for you? What are your future goals?

Next on the list is Fitness Universe in Miami. I won my bikini class last year and placed 5th in fitness. I am going back this year to give it all I got! This is the last show of the season and i will start competing again in the fall. One of my goals is to win a World Title. I will not stop until I get there!

Critical Bench: I love the determination! How do you want to be remembered?

I can only hope that I can inspire people as other fitness athletes inspire me. I want people to remember me as the goofball that I am, but also as the determined, hardworking passionate athlete that I have become.

Critical Bench: What makes Annette happy? What are your pet peeves?

My friends and family make me so happy. When I am with them, I am the happiest girl in the world!!

Pet peeves.... hmmm this is a good one. I hate bad pick up lines! LOL

Critical Bench: That is kind of funny, you're way too much of a catch for a silly little pick up line! Anyways, Annette, away from competing what do you love to do?

I love to travel, hike, scuba dive.... and I like to sky dive!!

Critical Bench: Something many want to do and something few have the courage to do. What is a more amazing experience sky diving or scuba diving?

Sky diving is by far the most amazing experience of my life next to competing.

Critical Bench: You have a lot going for you, competing, great friends, extreme sports, and loving life. Right on! What do your friends mean to you that you have met in the fitness world?

There are no words to describe how I feel about these women. They truly have changed my life and I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for them. I love you girls!!!!

Critical Bench: When you do weird or interesting exercises in the gym, do you get lots of stares?

I love my plyos!!! I make sure to incorporate these into my routine.... People at the gym always look at me like I am a weirdo when I am jumping around! LOL

Critical Bench: hahaha, that is funny! What was your life like growing up?

My life was great growing up. I have a huge support system in my family. My mom put me in dance class when I was 3 and my parents have been to every show/ competition I have ever been in since. Anyone that comes to my shows knows my mother because she is front and center and sits with the photographers. She screams her head off for me and has been known to cry on occasion when I win a show!! My parents make me strong and have made me a better person. I am here where I am today because of their love and support

Critical Bench: I remember doing a short interview with you outside during Fitness Atlantic weekend and I remember one of them kissed you and were so happy for your success. You definitely have a great support system in place from friends and family. What was the best and worst advice that you were ever told?

Best advice: The only thing that can get in the way of your dreams is yourself. Dream big and make it happen!

Worst Advice: I can't think of anything specific, but i will tell you that when someone tells me I can't do something i will do everything in my power to prove them WRONG!

Critical Bench: What are your future goals?

My future goals are to win a world title with Fitness America, and to continue modeling and hopefully end up on the cover of Oxygen someday :)

Critical Bench: Well, we know that you have big things ahead. You have done amazing. We know you will keep amazing yourself and other people. Do you have a website or a blog where we can keep up with you?

Well thank you so much for the kind words and continued support!! You can check me out on facebook: facebook.com/annettemperry

:)

Critical Bench: Annette it has been great talking to you today. We wish you the best with everything! In closing who do you want to thank?

I want to thank Critical Bench and Ben Tatar for this interview, all of my fitness friends that inspire me everyday, my coaches who believe in me and help me to not only be a better athlete but a better person too, my boyfriend who puts up with me and who supports me in everything I do and of course my amazing family. Thank you all so much!