Monica Alongi Interview

Photo by Doug Schneider Photo by Doug Schneider

Many fitness models and competitors start as spectators. They will see inspiration from a competition they saw on TV or read about in a magazine. Monica Alongi, a native of our nation's capital Ottawa, was no different. Inspiration came after seeing Sylvia Tremblay, a 3-time Fitness Canada pageant winner, in a magazine she read. Sharing some similarities with her inspiration, as neither woman had any previous gymnastics experience, Monica was now ready to take on the world of fitness.
Today, that inexperience is a thing of the past, as Monica has spent the last five years weight training and the last two years training in gymnastics. Toss in the competitive spirit she's gained from competing in Karate and Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, and you realize you are dealing with a lot more than just a pretty face and firm body. Recently, Monica has been busy working with her sponsor InterACTIVE Nutrition through appearances at various fitness & health expos, as well as their upcoming advertising through magazines and website. Considering her hectic schedule; Canadaka.net correspondent John Jinks was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to learn a little bit more about this rising fitness star.


-- JJ: Monica, firstly thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for me. I understand you have been rather busy lately. And I can't forget to mention that you are going to be featured as part of the 'Future of Fitness" in Oxygen magazine (Issue 41) later this month. How does it feel to be recognized by the same magazine that first inspired you?

MA: Yes, I've been busy! Fitness is a moving sport! I am squeeling with excitement over my feature in Oxygen! I have been as subscriber to Oxygen Mag since their first magazine. I really admire a lot of women in the magazine and it was merely a dream to be in it. It still seems like a dream! I feel that I have accomplished my dream and this has proved to me what every successful person says: "Any thing is possible if you put your mind to it!".

JJ: You finished the 2002 competition season in September, and are currently training for the World Qualifier in July 2003. Is there anything important that you are taking with you leading up to July?

MA: This season was interesting, I learned a lot at the provincial level. The bar is a little higher and the girls are more competitive. I will take the attitude I had since I started which was to have a good time!

JJ: It mentions on your website that you train 5 days a week. And on top of your normal training, you also incorporate 3 45-minute cardio sessions during the week. That certainly takes a great deal of dedication and focus. Is it second nature to you now, or are there still days where you donÂ’t feel like training?

MA: Training has become second nature to me. I really enjoy training and miss it if for some reason I can't go. There are days that I don't feel like training but sometimes those are the days I have the best work out! Even though I am dedicated, sometimes I still need a kick in the butt! I have pictures of my favourite fitness girls posted on my closet door as motivation. It also helps having a dedicated training partner like my fiance so we push each other to go to the gym.

JJ: Being an obviously attractive young woman, are men intimidated by you when they see you in the gym, or do they seem more intrigued?

MA: *blush* to your compliment & thank you... I don't think I'm intimidating, if fact, I have a lot of friends at the gym - guys and girls.

Photo by Doug Schneider

Photo by Renee Kimlova

Published on: 2004-08-05 (18400 reads)