And now… let’s welcome our guest Nationally-Qualified NPC Wellness Competitor Suzanne Sparks!!

WC: First and foremost thank you for taking the time to speak with us here at WellnessCompetitor.com part of the StrengthAddicts hub powered by Titan Medical Center. Please take a moment to introduce yourself and maybe give us a fun fact or two about you?

SS: Hi, I’m Suzanne Sparks, or Suzie.  I’m 41 years old, I live in Greeley/Windsor Colorado, it’s about an hour north of Denver. My home gym is Workout West and Armbrust Pro Gym on fun leg days!!! I’m an RN, BSN for almost 19 years and a nationally qualified wellness competitor.

WC: Do you come from an athletic background? When and why did you first get started weight-training? What are your favorite muscles to train and why?

SS: Growing up I was a competitive dancer from age 10. I went to CSU for Performing Arts Dance before finally heading to nursing school. I play soccer and was on the Pom Squad in high school – thus big quads.  My dad was a competitive bodybuilder growing up. I told myself one day that would be me!!! I love lifting legs! My genetics make it pretty easy to push hard and doing wellness just came perfectly into place.

WC: What was the progression like going from training to competing? Did someone get in your ear, did you learn about competing on your own? Also, what was your first contest?

SS: I didn’t start competing till I was 34 in 2017. I was a mom and went back to school to get my BSN. Those things were my priority. 2017 was my first show. I did Bikini and placed dead last! My legs were just too big. So we switched to Figure. I’ve done 3  figure shows. I did better, but my upper body was not big enough. 2020 come and wellness was a no brainer. I have done 8 wellness shows.

WC: While this might be a bit of a personal question, what would you say is your biggest challenge when it comes to being a competitor? What comes easiest?

SS: My biggest challenge competing would be the balance with home life. But it’s also the easiest thing also. I’m a fully time RN, full time mom, and wife. There’s house ,bills, and more. But I think all of that keeps me structured and in check. It keeps my head on the swivel and focused. Sure sometimes things get hard but I love bodybuilding so much that I like the hard shit! It shows me I’m doing this all for the right reasons. I’m showing my kids how to work hard and never give up.

WC: If you could talk to a person who wanted to compete but for whatever reason lacked the self-confidence to take the plunge – maybe they lacked support from their loved ones or co-workers – what would you tell them?

SS: If I could tell anyone getting started, I would say do it! Take the plunge and try! It’s the most amazing experience and it’s the hardest physical and mentally. But do this for you and only you. You have to love this or you’ll be miserable. You have to listen to your heart. You are your only Competition!

WC: I’d like to thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Hopefully we can do an interview on StrengthAddicts IG LIVE in the future. Please take this opportunity to give us any part words and/or upcoming shows you’re doing – or anything else you’d like to share.

SS: Thank you so much for allowing me to share my story and asking me to be a part of all this . I’m headed into my 13th show and my 6th Nationals. We are doing Masters USA November 20th.

I want to thank my coach Nikki Giacara – she saved me. My team, Team Elite Physique. Forever Young HH, And Suites My Shelly. My husband Oren Sparks II and Colin and Payton for everything  !!!

All photos taken by Paige Samantha Photography.

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