FITNESS VETERANS RETURN TO THE STAGE
Meteraud, Rollolazo return to fitness
By: Isaac Hinds
Two women to keep an eye this weekend are Shannon Meteraud and Nicole Rollolazo. The two women have been absent from the pro fitness stage in recent years but set to make a comeback at the 2008 Houston Pro Fitness show. Find out what the two have been up to in their time away from the fitness stage and what their goals are for this weekend.
Shannon Meteraud
Currently Lives: Charleston, SC
Born: "A long time ago" in Charleston, SC
Occupation: Mom, Personal Trainer, IFBB Pro Athlete
When was your last fitness competition? "Too long ago to remember. I think it was 2004 Olympia."
What made you want to return to the fitness stage? " I'm an IDIOT! I thought about it a lot the past year. I discussed it with my husband, Tres, and my managers, JM and Debbie Manion and they all supported me. I guess since they thought I could do it again it boosted my confidence. After Chesney, my 2nd daughter started getting older, I started paying more attention to the routines and knew I could still do them. I wanted my oldest daughter, Braylee, to see that I could do "that stuff" and be proud of me. I love to compete and push my body and mind to the limits it takes to do well. Figure fullfills some of the drive but it only shows your hard work when you display your physique. Fitness shows all the hard work you put into your physique plus your athleticism. "
What have you been doing with your time away from the stage? "I have still been very active on the Figure stage. I did 6 shows in 2007 winning the Europa, and already one Figure show this year. "
Who's the one to watch in the fitness scene today? "I think the top 5 are still the same: Adela, Kim, Jen, Tracey, and Julie Palmer. But there are a few making the mix interesting like Tangi and Julie Lohre. It always is interesting to see where they all place. "
Where do you realistically see yourself placing in the Houston Pro show? "If I don't die while practicing my routine before the whole prep is over I'll be happy! But honestly, every show I prepare for, I train to win. Right now I'm just enjoying the journey of returning to the Fitness stage. I just want to do the best I can and prove that this old mom can hang!"
-------------------
Nicole Rollolazo
Currently Lives: Los Angeles, CA
Born: Seattle, WA 7/27/74
Occupation: Personal Trainer/ Photographer
When was your last fitness competition? "The Emerald Cup Pro 2005."
What made you want to return to the fitness stage? "I actually have several reasons for returning to the stage. My main reason for returning to the stage was that I missed performing so much. My biggest passion is to entertain people by performing my routines and making them smile!
" I also recently got engaged and plan on having babies in a few years and figured this would probably be the best time to get back on stage before the little rug rats destroy my abs!
Finally, I felt that fitness competitors have kind of become a dying breed and I wanted to help inspire and motivate more women to compete in our sport."
What have you been doing with your time away from the stage? "I have been doing some guest performances so that helped feed my craving for performing a bit but mainly I have been running my personal training business in Los Angeles and doing some fashion photography on the side. Most importantly as I mentioned earlier, I got engaged in Hawaii in April to my hunky fiance' Shawn Phillips! (Not EAS Shawn Phillips!)"
Who's the one to watch in the fitness scene today? ME! Hopefully I'll be able to move up in the ranks this year or at least die trying! Also my good friend Tanji Johnson has the total package.. great physique, great routine, and is a wonderful advocate for the sport of fitness!"
Where do you realistically see yourself placing in the Houston Pro show? Wow that is a horrible question! l actually just looked at the competitors list and since I've been out of it for three years I only recognized a handful of names. It's too hard to compare myself to competitors that I don't know, but I will definitely be shooting for top 5!"