New Pro Profile: IFBB Figure Pro Simone Maybin

I. Name:  Simone Maybin

II. Contest Weight: 124 lb/Height 5’5 3/4”

IV: Recent Contest: IFBB Wings of Strength Tampa Pro

See Images of Simone: Click here

1. NPC CONTEST HISTORY:

2. Your Story:

Aside from earning my pro card, the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life is get accepted to and graduate from the US Air Force Academy.  Physically and mentally you cannot prepare for an environment like a military academy. I think most of my Academy experiences would be best saved for a book one day. However, there ARE two major events that stand out, which have changed the way I look at human life: 1. When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and 2. When I began competing as a figure athlete. I began to experience joint pain and swelling throughout my body during my junior year at the Academy. At first it was not too bad, but I found it strange that it was ALL of my joints and the symptoms waxed and waned during the day. Eventually, I had difficulty turning door knobs, wearing shoes, and even writing and typing at times. I became scared. There were so many requirements at the Academy that my disease would soon be found out and I just knew I would be medical disenrolled. Luckily, I happened to be in a high leadership position at the time, where my duties excused me from many military formations. Also, as an intercollegiate athlete I was permitted to skip one semester of taking our mandatory fitness tests. I also had very understanding coaches that allowed my status to protect me from the “bigger processes.” Thank God. I began seeing a rheumatologist routinely, where I was officially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and started on the full arsenal of medications. I had little relief. Being the aspiring doctor I was, I begun reading everything I could find to learn more about my autoimmune disease. “No known causes. No known cures.” I became depressed and cried – a lot. The thought of my life being over at 22-years-old was so overwhelming.

Finally, in all my research I had learned there was one medication I was taking that could cause rheumatoid arthritis. None of my doctors had ever been concerned about this prescription. Of course, I immediately discontinued the medication and my symptoms subsided. Yes! Well, kind of…autoimmune diseases are never cured as I mentioned earlier. Patients go into indefinite remission, with about 66% experiencing at least one other flare later in life, and half of those with worsening cases as time goes who will more than likely die from an associated medical issue. I personally had one relapse since that time; and I could have another at any time in the future. I count myself lucky each morning I wake up pain-free. Each day I get to walk around the hospital or visit friends or lift weights is a blessing. I do not take my health for granted, for I realize at any moment it could be taken away from me. This is why I encourage others to embrace their body. The body is the platform from which you provoke transformation – without your body, you are nothing – the world cannot benefit from your positive impact.

It is ironic (or maybe not) that around the same time that I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is when I was introduced to figure competing. I was introduced to the sport by a random girl in our cadet “beauty salon.” I did a couple shows under the guidance of a military officer that volunteered his time to lead our new fitness club at the Academy, which I later became President over. Trying to compete and manage the Academy requirements was so difficult, but I think it prepared me for competing as a medical student. It is funny how challenges set you up for greater challenges if you do not back down! When I did my first show I NOW realize I had no idea what I was doing. I did not get a trophy. I just had so much fun. From that show, I was hooked. My new love. For me it is not about displaying my body on stage. I love the mental challenge of morphing my body and allowing it to peak perfectly on show day – not a day before and not a day after! Ultimately, this sport has also allowed me to build bonds with others who are also committed to increasing the number of people embracing a 365-days-no-days-off fit life.  My fitness goals are to continue to improve my physique every year, and have a successful IFBB Pro career by one day getting invited to the Arnold and qualifying for the Olympia.

3.  Tell us about your pre-contest training and nutrition philosophy:

I stay a minimum of photo shoot ready year-round.  I think it’s important to walk the talk as a model, pro athlete, personal trainer, and future physician.  If I am constantly encouraging others to live healthy I have to set the example.  My meal plans stay the same throughout the year and I just add or subtract cardio as needed.  As a show approaches I may take out lifts for overdeveloped muscles and add extra sets for my weak areas.

4.  What keeps you motivated and what’s next for you?

It means the world to me when someone tells me I inspired them to make healthy choices or when I have a client that really embraces their plan and we see their life change dramatically just because they have greater control over their health.  If I ever have a tough cardio session or I’m just fatigued in those last days of contest prep I remember those who told me I made a difference.

Because I have established this healthy lifestyle over several years and proved I can maintain it through some NOT ideal situations, I plan to compete as long as I possibly can. As long as competing and modeling will help me to inspire more people to live a fit life, then I will continue to intertwine them with my medical career goals. My ultimate goal is meld my love of medicine and fitness into a powerful tool people can use to achieve a 365-day-no-days-off fit life. I recently launched my website www.simonemaybin.com where I offer various nutrition services, share my thoughts via my personal blog, and post various modeling and competition photos along with training videos.

5. Add any interesting facts about yourself

I began medical school a few weeks after leaving my last assignment as an officer in the Air Force. I knew it would be a huge adjustment after not being in school for a long time, so I planned to not enter any figure competitions for a while. I had competed in several competitions at this point, so I knew what it took to compete at the national level. My coaches have always been very supportive of my career goals and understood my need to focus on not failing out. I maintained a healthy lifestyle by controlling my eating primarily. Studying all day took out workouts some days (or many days if a big test was coming). My only goal was to not get fat! It took a lot of discipline, but I kept the weight under control. But going from about 15 hours of working out a week to maybe 5 just would not cut it to compete. I was lucky enough to jump back into competitions my second year of medical school. I ended up having my best year yet and finished the year strong. I think my many years of living a fit lifestyle and understanding my coaches’ style helped me to maintain while in school and I also followed my show preparation plan 100% because I literally did not have time to overthink anything. My physique continued to morph before my eyes.