Defining Edge Client Profile: Peggy Rainbow – Female Bodybuilding
“If you don’t question and just do, you will achieve!”
Peg won 1st in Lightweight and the overall in her 1st bodybuilding contest!
Tell us about yourself and your background... your journey that got you to this point.
I come from a heavy set family. I was always an overweight kid. I had a friend who got me to start working out when I was 18. I became addicted to lifting. However, even thought I was lifting, I still had a lot to learn. I got muscular, but nothing else really changed. I was “stocky” and couldn’t seem to get the body I was wanting. I tried for years and could not understand what I was doing wrong.
Then, about 3 years ago, my trainer introduced me to Precision Nutrition. I joined, bought the PN package but did very little with the forums. I did cook the recipes, but never paid attention to the portions, etc. Then, one day last summer, I received an email about the Lean Eating Program. I immediately signed up. I couldn’t wait for the program to start. Once it did, that was it for me. I learned so much about what I was doing wrong and how to change to live a healthier lifestyle. It was an amazing 16 weeks.
Once the program was completed I started a member log. That’s where I “met” Renee. She started helping me. I knew I wanted to improve, but was so afraid to up my caloric intake. However, she never gave up on me. Renee was preparing for a competition and I was really following her progress. I had always wanted to do one but never did. She convinced me to cross over to the dark side. That’s how I hooked up with Krista. I started with out just wanting to get my Biosignature done. Once I stated communicating with Krista I felt the Universe was directing me to her. I contacted her asking if she would train me for a competition. We started in January and the rest is history…….
Peg was starting in amazing condition already as a result of the Precision Nutrition Lean eat Program. (February 2009 – 8 weeks out).
How has Defining Edge (Your Coaches - Krista / Renee and their services) helped you in your journey?
How haven’t they helped? Krista and Renee are two amazing people! They compliment each other well. From what I have encountered in my communications with them is that Krista is more of a “no-nonsense let’s get busy” kind of person, Renee is a little more “sentimental, I feel your pain” kind of person. I think that works well. You get the best of both worlds! Someone kicking you in your butt while the other is saying “I understand and it’s going to be ok” J Not to mention, they know what they are talking about.
If you don’t question and just do, you will achieve! They are two of the best coaches I have ever had the pleasure of working with.
What obstacles did you have to overcome along the way and what got you over those obstacles?
The first obstacle I had to overcome was the breakup with my long term partner. That was devastating. I emailed Krista and Renee to tell them what had happened. I got the “no nonsense” from one and the “sentimental” from the other. It was perfect! They both continually checked where I was mentally for a while to make sure I kept my focus. So, I focused all my energy into the competition and made it through. Things are so much better now.
The second obstacle was in mid January when I was hospitalized for 3 days with double pneumonia. I was terrified that I would not be able to compete in March because of this set back. Krista continued to ensure me that we had plenty of time, which we did, and we would hit it hard when I recovered. She also would not let me get back in the gym sooner than I should. That just about killed me, but I listened and came out better because of it.
What is the most important thing you learned through your bodybuilding preparation?
Listen to your coach! Krista taught me to visualize what I wanted, to really see myself, where I wanted to be, and what I wanted the outcome to be. I learned that the mind is very powerful. If you believe, you will achieve….I learned that from Krista also J And, it is true.
Any recipes you care to share?
I am so boring with my food. I can eat the same thing every day and it doesn’t bother me. I like structure. I don’t really make anything that calls for a recipe. All I really eat is protein and veggies. On high carb days I’ll throw in some quinoa and brown rice, but that’s about it.
Your favorite comp food and your favorite "flex" food:
My favorite comp food is the load the night before, which consists of cheesecake. YUM!!! My favorite all time dessert and I got to eat it for my comp. How much better can life get??? My favorite flex food is organic oatmeal pancakes from a local restaurant. I live for those!
Your favorite exercise:
Anything that involves shoulders. I love working shoulders! If I had to say a specific exercise, it would be Shoulder Presses and DB Lateral Raises.
Peg’s favorite exercise is anything shoulders – one of the essential “showy muscle” in bodybuilding.
Inspirational quotes or images that helped you in your preparation (any source of inspiration):
I think for me there were two very inspirational things. First was when Renee had me pick a song that really got me going. For me, it’s Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne. I hear that song and it’s just really gets my gggrrrr going, puts me in that “I’m about to kick some serious butt mode!” She told me to listen to it every day on my way to the gym to get me started. Not only did I do that, I then made sure it was the very first song I listened to when I started lifting. The second was when Krista would email me pictures. I knew that’s what I wanted to look like. I would download them onto my desktop and look at them every morning before I hit the gym, then play my song, then out the door. Totally inspirational!
What's next for you?
What’s next for me is to compete again July 11th. It is a national qualifier to be able to compete in the Arnold Amateur Classic next year. That is my next goal. I want to not only meet Krista, but be on stage with her. And, you know what? I believe it, so I’ll achieve it. I’m going to win my next competition also!
Anything else you want to add?
I have found my passion in bodybuilding. I have never felt so good about anything in my life. When I was on stage it felt so natural, like that is where I belonged. I have a feeling I will have a long training career with Krista and Renee and I plan on making competing a staple in my life. Everything about it I love, the training, diet, mental preparation. It’s such an amazing feeling and one I want to continually relive. I know that Defining Edge is the best place for me to be to help me achieve my goals.
Peg aspires to one day grace the Arnold Amateur stage with her coach, Krista Schaus
DE Coaching Team
Krista Schaus PICP CPT
Ontario CANADA
krista@definingedge.ca
Kate Kline PICP CFT
Arizona USA
kate@definingedge.ca
DE Client Services
Upcoming Events:
Where you can find the Defining Edge team or athletes
- Janary 2010 - Strength & Beauty "Next Level" (Milton, ON)
- January 2010 - Ontario Powerlifting Provincials (St. Catharines, ON)
- March 2010 - Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championship (Columbus, OH)
- April 2010 - Canadian Powerlifting Nationals (Quebec City, QU)
- April 2010 - CFBB Canadian Natural Physique Championships (Laval, QU)