NPC News On-Line

Sometimes it's hard to believe that Susie Curry is really a veteran of the sport of fitness, having first competed way back in April, 1996! Think back to who was competing back then on either the IFBB Pro or NPC amateur level, and you'll find that none of the IFBB Pro Fitness competitors from that year are actively competing anymore. They've all retired competitively! There are a few pros now who were plying the platforms of the NPC at that time, but wouldn't earn their pro cards for two or more years after Susie. Those alumni include Kelly Ryan, Jenny Worth, Adela Garcia-Friedmansky and Melissa Frabbiele. Not a very large list by any means. Ironically, all of them would be on stage last October at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas vying for the sport's prize possession - the overall IFBB Fitness Olympia title.

With defending champion Mary Yockey gone due to maternity leave, there would be a new Fitness Olympia champion crowned no matter what. And even though Susie had competed in this event three times before, occupying the places of second (1998), third (1999) and fourth (1997), she was not considered the front runner to win the event by most magazine accounts. The fact that Susie was also the only two-time, back to back winner of the prestigious IFBB Fitness International, (1998/1999), the second highest title in the sport, apparently meant nothing to most people.

Maybe it had to do with Susie taking off almost a solid year from competing. After the 1999 Fitness Olympia in October, Susie decided she needed to take a break, make some revisions to her physique and routine, and focus on the 2000 Fitness Olympia. That was, until she heard about the inaugural IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness that would be staged just three weeks prior to the Fitness Olympia. Susie made that her target comeback date to shed herself of any stage rust. It would also give her the opportunity to test out her new routine to possibly make any modifications before hitting the Olympia stage. Susie was also in the process of trying to add a few pounds to her physique since the IFBB judges kept telling her she needed some fullness and some more curves.

Susie showed up in Pittsburgh a full ten pounds heavier than the 1999 Fitness Olympia and with a new routine that showcased more strength and flexibility movements over gymnastic movements and endless tumbles and passes across the stage. The Pittsburgh show would be a great barometer for the Olympia, because almost all the competitors that were qualified for the Olympia, were going to be on stage in Pittsburgh as well. The notable exception being Kelly Ryan.

The contest did what Susie intended. Not only did she shed the stage rust, the judges told her she needed to tighten up her physique just a tad before the Olympia and to make a few adjustments to her routine. Those minor points didn't stop her from winning the overall and gave her the boost of confidence she needed to conquer Las Vegas.

Looking back at Susie's career, I know of no other competitor who has blazed a trail faster or brighter. At the beginning of 1996, nobody knew who she was. By October of 1996, she was the talk of the women's fitness industry from officials to fans to her contemporaries in the sport by virtue of her overall win at the 1996 NPC National Fitness Championships

In the span of time from April to October, 1996, Susie entered the NPC North Carolina Fitness Championships, NPC Junior USA Fitness Championships, NPC National Fitness Championships and IFBB World Amateur Fitness Championships and easily won every competition. In her three NPC fitness contests, she won each contest by unanimous decision. Oh, and did I mention that she had knee surgery at the end of June, 1996 and won the National Fitness Championships six weeks later?

With all this behind her, the clock was ticking for Las Vegas. With the Pittsburgh victory tucked snugly under her belt, Susie entered the Mandalay Bay three pounds lighter than Pittsburgh and with a reworked, but basically the same, fitness routine. It was enough to give her a six point lead over rival Kelly Ryan to be crowned the new IFBB Fitness Olympia champion.

Interestingly, this was Susie's third go round with Ryan. Their rivalry began back in 1996 when Susie beat Kelly for the NPC Jr. USA Fitness Championships. Kelly evened up the score at the 1999 Fitness Olympia by placing second to Susie's third. With Susie's commitment to defend her title in 2001, this rivalry is far from over.

After Las Vegas, Susie had no time to rest. Honoring a prior commitment she'd made to IFBB Pro Division chairman Wayne DeMilia before competing in Pittsburgh, Susie was off to compete in the IFBB Swedish Pro Fitness. There, she would claim the triple crown by winning the overall yet again. In the span of five weeks, Susie was at the top of the fitness world with the sports top title to prove it.

Following her stunning performances, Susie also made another change. She was offered an endorsement contract with Iron-Tek supplements and made her debut with the company at the 2001 Arnold Fitness Expo. It's a change that Susie's very pleased with.

As if that isn't enough, Susie also holds down a full time job as the co-owner, with her sister and brother-in-law, of a training facility in Bremen, Georgia called The Gym. It's some very long hours. But Susie enjoys every minute of it and loves interacting with the members of the gym and the community.

Being the IFBB Fitness Olympia champion virtually assures that Susie will not be competing in any other shows until she defends her title. But, with The Gym, Iron-Tek and guest appearances, she's keeping busy. It was during one of her rare down times after the Arnold Fitness Expo that this interview was conducted.

JM: I guess where I want to start is basically from your last win at the Fitness International in 1999. You then competed in the Fitness Olympia and took a whole year off, which you had never done before. But let's backtrack since your last interview with us was in 1997. How did it feel when you won the show knowing at the time you were the only person that's ever won it two times and two years in a row? Did you think you could pull it off again when you went in there?
SC: Oh no. Well, I mean I always go in trying to do my best and I work hard. But, the competition gets better and better ever year so you just don't know when you go in.

JM: Now, you take your two victories there and then go into the Fitness Olympia in Las Vegas. Were you disappointed to come in third since you were second the year before?
SC: I was a little disappointed but I felt good. I felt that I performed well. I felt like I came in better shape than the year before actually. It's in the judges hands after you're done. It drives you to work harder for the next time.

JM: Now, I remember you telling me you know you really just wanted to concentrate on the Olympia. How did you feel during that whole year's layoff?
SC: Honestly, I missed competing. I love to be on stage. I love the competition, but I think that I definitely stayed focused on what I wanted to accomplish that year. So, I just looked towards Olympia.

JM: Did you think that taking the time off really helped, and was worth it?
SC: It definitely did.

JM: Did it help to get your drive for competing back?
SC: Yeah. You know I did a lot of appearances that year and going to the shows and watching helped me get my drive back. There were a lot of people along the way that kept encouraging me. That helped a lot.

JM: Now, what did you do differently, if anything, during that whole year?
SC: I would say the major thing was I cut out running. Which was highly recommended to me, so I took the advice. As much as I loved the feeling of running and the natural high that you get, you know, it was a choice. Do I want to be ready in a year for the Fitness Olympia or do I want to be a runner?

JM: That would obviously play a difference in your cardio activity too. What did you do to make up for that?
SC: I did a lot more stationary bike. I focused more on my routine. I had a lot more energy. I came out with something totally different and it was exhausting working the routine. So that was enough.

JM: I know the judges kept telling you to make some changes with your physique. And you had basically a year to do that. How did you go about doing it?
SC: I weight trained a little heavier. I probably took in some calories too.

JM: You mean you actually ate more? (Laughter)
SC: Yeah, I had to force myself. (Laughter)

JM: I think I should point out to the readers that you're known for not eating a whole lot and have jokingly been told you eat as much as a bird does. But that you also don't really diet!
SC: It was not a fun hobby for me. But, you know I normally, I'm not that big of a person. But, you know, if you focus on it, and you concentrate on your eating habits, and your diet, and your exercise. Not as much cardio, it works out.

JM: In regard to your weight training, do you do it by yourself our do your have a training partners or?
SC: I do it on my own. Which makes it hard sometimes. But, I am a pretty self-driven, self-motivated person.

JM: Okay. How do you do that all on your own plus work at The Gym?
SC: Time management. I mean I've got people that support me and that helps a lot. You just have to budget your time and get your priorities in order. And, of course The Gym is important. But, I had my sister and my brother-in-law, and the lady who helped my brother-in-law, and her son-in-law. That helped a lot too. So, I had a lot of support and when it came down to training, you know, they all knew that I needed to be able to train.

JM: And, when did you find the time the train? Did you do it in the morning, afternoon, evening?
SC: When I was training for that show I was getting up real early . . .

JM: What's early?
SC: I would say like 4 in the morning.

JM: Wow!
SC: To get a good workout in before the members first started to come in and needed attention. And, then I would do a workout at night as well.

JM: What time at night would you work out?
SC: Probably like seven, or eight. And, that was actually at a different gym. It was a high school close to me.

JM: How did you get to use that facility?
SC: I knew some people that were members of The Gym. And one of the guys came up to me and said we could just go in there and videotape and practice my routine. And they were really good with that.

JM: Well, that was good. Knowing you were solely focused on the Fitness Olympia, you then decided to do the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro Fitness as a tune-up before the Fitness Olympia. Did you have any worries going into that show?
SC: Oh definitely. There's a lot of new faces and I know all the girls, you know they all work very hard and look phenomenal. But, you know you've got to have enough confidence in yourself to believe that you can do well and that being in front of all the judges again, I wanted to do well and perform well.

JM: Yeah. Basically it was an Olympia line up with the exception of Kelly Ryan not being there.
SC: Oh yeah. Oh yeah. It was challenging. I really enjoyed it.

JM: During the interim from the time that you competed at the 1999 Olympia, the IFBB came out with those new guidelines as far as fitness was concerned. What they wanted the bodies to look like. What was your opinion of that?
SC: I thought it was . . . I mean, I liked it. I agreed with it. I liked that they had actually established some rules and guidelines that made it so you knew what you needed to do. Instead of going in and wondering, gosh, what are they looking for this time?

JM: Right.
SC: So, in that aspect is great.

JM: Did you find that kind of helped you know during that time off? As far as focusing on what to do at this time?
SC: Yeah. I think it definitely did.

JM: Now what did you think when you were sitting on the sidelines watching all the shows during that time off? You know, the Fitness International, the Atlantic City Pro Fitness and everything else?
SC: Oh. I wanted to be up there. (Laughter)

JM: And watching the competition, and seeing who was placing well and everything?
SC: Right. You know your competitiveness comes out and you want to be up there. But, I was real happy for the people that did well. The girls have all worked hard. And you don't have all the pressure, of course, when you are sitting there watching it.

JM: Getting a victory in Pittsburgh, how did that help you or did it help you let's say, mentally prepare for the Olympia?
SC: Oh yeah. Just getting that first one over with helps a lot because it's been so long. And my confidence was a lot better and that way, I could talk to judges and find out what I needed to do, what I needed to change before the Olympia.

JM: And, what did the judges tell you to do within that three weeks, if anything?
SC: Well, actually, they said I was holding a lot of water on stage. So, I needed to correct that problem. And the music for my routine wasn't exactly what they wanted which I was surprised because I really liked the music. So, I changed a few little things and tried to add a little bit more in the music.

JM: What didn't they like about the music?
SC: I had sort of a Latin beat towards the end and it wasn't as upbeat as the beginning. I added some things. I kept the same music but just added some things to it to make it a little more upbeat.

JM: Now, whenever you got into Las Vegas for the contest and you took a look around at all the other girls that were in the show, what were you thinking?
SC: Honestly, I tried not to focus too much on the other women. Because I knew it's the Olympia, so everyone is gonna come in their best. So, I had to focus on what I was doing. When I am competing, I don't get a chance to watch the other girls routines until the show is over. Then, I am like, so how did everybody do? You know but

JM: But, do you think their was any added pressure on you for the fact that everybody, because of Kelly Ryan winning the Fitness International, and they were pretty much saying, well, she was second last year, she won the Arnold Show, so she was pretty much a shoo in to win the Olympia? Did you feel any pressure on yourself because of that? What was your take on that?
SC: Well, I felt some pressure but, I have been in pressure situations before and you just got to hold your own. And, wish for the best outcome. And, if you don't do as good as you think then you know, congratulate the other person that does do well and do better next time.

JM: Now, how did you feel knowing that you pretty much have more victories, pro and amateur, than any other fitness competitor out there today- the only other person that has won the Fitness International twice? Yet, leading up to the Olympia, the magazines basically never really thought of you as the person that could win the show?
SC: It really doesn't bother me. I like going in and proving myself. So, it actually encourages me in a way. (Laughter).

JM: How's that?
SC: Well, if I feel like they don't believe I'll do as well as expected then I'll go in and try harder. You know and prove that I can do this. And, I am someone who will put up a fight. I just try to do my best. And, I know you know, that not everyone is going to favor me. You know. Everyone has their favorites. But, you just lean on those who do support you.

JM: As the competition was going on, did you get a feel at all for anything as far as when you were getting the call outs in the physique rounds as to where you might be placing?
SC: I really didn't know. (Laughter) I was so excited. It was a dream. I was doing what I had been training to do. Until the very end, did I have any sort of relief, I think.

JM: When towards the end? After you were announced as the winner?
SC: Yeah. After. (Laughter)

JM: Were you getting nervous as you were hearing the countdown for the top five?
SC: Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Definitely. (Laughter). I can remember standing there next to Adela and just shaking and I was just really nervous.

JM: Were you surprised at the outcome of the top five? I mean, like, some of the women that were in it?
SC: Not really. I mean, you never know. You are not exactly sure what the judges are gonna judge. I wasn't really surprised.

JM: After they announced Jenny Worth in third, truthfully, what were you thinking when it was just you and Kelly? Did you think in the back of your head, "I could really pull this off?" Or were you thinking that the publicity machine was just really going to push Kelly Ryan through?
SC: Honestly, I thought Kelly would get it.

JM: Why is that?
SC: Just for publicity purposes. And, I really wasn't sure. So, I was truly happy.

JM: But you weren't done. You had committed to compete in the Sweden show right?
SC: Right. That was hard, coming off a high like that and then going to another competition but, I liked traveling with Timea and Jenny. I thought that was really nice, because you get to spend more quality time with them and you get to know them better. For the trip itself it was worth going.

JM: Well, it's also kind of good that you had committed to it beforehand whether you had won or lost. I know a lot of athletes probably would have tried to bag out of the show.
SC: It was difficult. But, I am the type of person that if I say I am going to do something, I am going to do it. And, you know, I think it really helped fitness in that area. You know, there weren't as many competitors as I had thought, and maybe it will help bring in more next year.

JM: Right. Now, since you've won the title, again you pretty much have to sit out a whole year because this is really the only thing left for you to do is to defend the title. Since you already have the title, do you think you are going to have the same drive that you had last year?
SC: Oh definitely. Definitely. Actually, I have more of a drive now because I want to prove myself that I can really do it. That it was really me, that I can do it again. I am gonna need the whole year to train for this again.

JM: Are you going to be doing anything differently?
SC: I am always going to try to improve. I will constantly ask for advice. I will constantly try to improve my routine as well as my physique. And, of course keep a close eye on all the girls and see how they are doing. It will be a good year.

JM: Okay. Let's talk about something else that is good that happened to you. You got a new endorsement contract.
SC: Oh yeah! Iron-Tek is great. I was real fortunate to have this opportunity and I am looking forward to a great year with them.

JM: Tell me some of the good things or some different things that you like about Iron-Tek?
SC: I think as far as my career, it will benefit so much more from this company. And, they've got quality products of course. And they've got a lot more employees with the company so it is going to be more widespread.

JM: And, how did everything go at your first appearance at the Arnold Expo with them?
SC: Oh, I had the most fun. It was great. I was real nervous with meeting everyone and starting with a new company. I wanted to make a really good impression. Everyone was real welcoming. You know. It was a good experience.

JM: I want to get an idea of what you are doing as far as training these days?
SC: Okay. Well, since I am traveling a lot more with Iron-Tek, I have had to work out my schedule where I can get my workouts into a week ,so the weekends are freed up. So, I'll do at least four days of weight training workout or I'll split it up. I'll start with chest and triceps on the first day. And then the second day I'll do a leg workout, the third day I'll do back and thighs, the fourth day I'll do shoulders and calves. I'll do abs everyday. I'll do cardio probably at least twice or three times a week for stress relief. (Laughter)

JM: What do you do for cardio? Are you still doing the stationary things?
SC: Yeah. I'll do a couple runs but not nearly as much. Maybe like three miles.

JM: Which you'll be quitting well before the Olympia right? (Laughter)
SC: Yes, I will. (Laughter) As far as my routine goes. I still touch up on it but I'm not really training really hard on it because I have had a few injuries and I want to make sure I come in healthy. And the only way to do that is to take it slow.

JM: What about your eating habits these days?
SC: (Laughter)

JM: Well, you were saying, you're doing more traveling now. So, how are you making adjustments for that?
SC: Well, I am still getting my protein intake, but, as far as everything else, I'm really not on a strict diet or anything. I just make sure I get good workouts in and I'll include the diet when I get closer to the show.

JM: Closer for you is what? Three or four weeks or something?
SC: (Laughter). No, probably like July.

JM: July! (Laughter). Well, aren't you the girl who's been known to be sitting backstage with a whole bag of jellybeans before a competition?
SC: Yes. That would be me. You have to have some sort of enjoyment in your eating so .

JM: In front of all the other competitors, and, you are like, 'Hey, how would you like a jelly bean?' (Laughter)
SC: (Laughter) Well. I have nothing to say.

JM: You are gonna take the fifth on that one huh?
SC: Yeah.

JM: So, you pretty much have a fast metabolism right?
SC: Yeah. For now. (Laughter).

JM: Yeah. For now! (Laughter)

Ed. Note: Susie Curry can be reached for bags of jelly beans, guest posing and appearances exclusively through JMP MANAGEMENT at (412) 257-4555 or through the World Wide Web at www.jmpmanagement.com/new/csc/index.htm More photos of Susie can be seen at www.alluringfitness.com