HardBody Interviews Lenay Hernandez, NPC Figure Competitor
Class B winner & Overall Figure Champion of the 2007 Gold Cup
By: Rick Lohre, Hardbody.com Contributor
HB.com – What got you interested in competing in Figure?
L.H. – The thought crossed my mind in 2004 but with many obstacles in the way I was unable to pursue my dream. I spoke to IFBB Pro Paola Almerico at the gym about my interest and we arranged to meet that week on a Sunday afternoon…I had a decision to make.
I looked up to her and how far she has gotten in the sport and how much knowledge she had gained . Someone told me “It has always been your dream to compete, now is the timeâ€.
HB.com – How did the meeting go?
L.H. – Paola was determined to help make my dreams come true. We decided on the 2007 Gold cup which will get me nationally qualified if I placed top three, with only two months and two weeks we started working hard. I have to thank both Paola and her husband Nelson for their support.
HB.com – How did preparations begin?
L.H. – Paola helped me at the gym with my weights, the posing and the make up. Nelson did my nutrition and body fat They worked as a team, the best team I have ever met.
HB.com – So how did it go?
L.H. –October 27th, 2007 was a night that I will never forget!! We had a goal of top three. Friday night I did not sleep because I wanted this so much; this was my “DREAMâ€.
During pre-judging my heart was beating as fast as it ever has when I stepped on that stage with my class. I was in the first call out in both the one piece and the two piece. At the night show they called the top 5 out, my heart stopped when they called out second place and it wasn’t my name, I broke into tears knowing that I more than exceeded my goals!!
Not only had I placed first, now I was going for the overall. Thinking back, Paola’s first show was on that same stage in 2005 where she won her class and the overall. As I stood on stage awaiting the judges final tally, they called Paola out to hand the trophy to the overall winner…..it was me.
I hugged her as hard as I could (she is my idol, my friend, my trainer and I look up to her in so many ways). We both cried and hugged, my trainer was giving me the trophy she once received on that same stage two years ago, and it was incredible. I cannot even begin to imagine how I felt and feel till this day, I never thought I would take the overall title.
HB.com – What are your plans now?
L.H. – My future plans are to continue competing, I have the passion and love for it. Hopefully one day I will be on stage with her.
