If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to rise as a star in the fitness industry, meet Sandy Weidmeyer. In a little over a year, Sandy has trophied in numerous figure competitions, opened her own online fitness-wear business, and won her NGA Pro Card. To top it off, this busy mother of two also teaches fitness classes several days a week.

Of course, if you ask Sandy the key to her success, she will provide a rather humble answer. To find out more, check out what Sandy had to say during our interview.

OliciousLife.com: Let’s start out by learning a little bit about you. Where were you born and where do you live now?

Sandy Weidmeyer: I was born in Tennessee, but currently I live in Wisconsin…land of the cheese heads!!

OL: Was your family health-conscious growing up? If so, how did this affect your views as an adult? If not, when did you decide to make changes?

SW: My family was never into health or fitness. As a matter of fact, I am a bit of a late bloomer. I got into fitness in my early 30′s when my good friend (who was, and is, very fit) jokingly said she couldn’t be friends with someone who didn’t go to the gym. I started small by taking her spin class and it blossomed from there.

I’m sure my late-bloom is because fitness was not a family priority growing up. I don’t think we were lazy by any means, we were your average American Family!

OL: What has been your greatest fitness/health accomplishment? How did you feel when reaching this goal?

SW: I am just proud that I made this change in my life. It is a lifesytle now, no turning back for me! But, I am also so very proud that this year I earned my NGA Figure Pro Card at the NGA Heart of America Competition! NGA Heart of America was the first competition that I competed in, so to go back and earn a pro card there means so me! I was smiling so big, I think it lit up the entire venue!!

OL: Were you active or an athlete as a child? If so, did this stick with you all the way through, or did you have a period when you were inactive? If not, when did you decide to start training?

SW: I was somewhat active as a child. I was never very athletic, though. I did play tennis and did some cheerleading. In my early adult years I was pretty sedentary. I was busy with school and working, and  trying to establish my career. It wasn’t until that good friend “twisted my arm” that I changed the direction I was taking!

OL: Is your family supportive of your goals? If so, in what ways? If not, how do you overcome this obstacle?

SW: I am so lucky that my family are my biggest supporters! My husband really encourages me. He and my kids love watching my competitions. The kids sit in the audience and yell for me. That is HUGE for me!

It relaxes me and put a big smile on my face. Without their support, I am sure I would not have ever stepped on stage. The first time I walked across the stage my husband was way more nervous than me! It was so cute!

OL: What has been the biggest challenge with your fitness and dieting goals? How do you stay focused?

SW: For me the hardest part is the building diet. I seem to have trouble eating as much as I should. I try to remember my end goal to stay focused! This time around I think I will be working with someone to help me keep that focus. For me, the cutting is so much eaiser!

OL: Where do you see yourself in the future of fitness?

SW: Oh man, I never even imagined a Pro Card, so I have surpassed where I thought I would be! It is just amazing. I hope to see my business Iron Diva Fitness, more on this later, grow. I am already starting to pick up a few ladies for sponsorships and I hope to continue to give back to female athletes! Other than that, I will keep walking across stage because that is what I love doing!

OL: What is your favorite clean eat?

SW: Oats mixed with natural peanut butter, chocolate whey, and a few Capella Drops! YUMMY!!

OL: Do you have an irresistible cheat? So unoriginal, but anything chocolate!!!!!

SW: Dip it in peanut butter and I am a happy girl!!!

OL: What is your favorite workout day? Why? Describe a typical training regimen in that day.

SW: I really like working shoulders. I still need to add a lot of size there, but my shoulders were always so small. These are big shoulders for my genetics!! I LOVE seeing definition in them! My training varies so much, but I always warm up my rotators. I have had an inflamed rotator cuff and I don’t need to be sitting out because I was careless with them!

I really like to hit rear and side delts first. That is where I need the most growth! I might even end rear again with some rope cable face pulls. Those are fun!

OL: What do you do for peri-workout nutrition?

SW: Scivation X-tend, baby!!!! YUMMY!

OL: Do you have any favorite supplements? If so, what are they and why do you take them?

SW: Ha! Can you tell I am a fan of Scivation X-tend? It really does taste great and gets the job done. I also like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey. I can’t get over the number of flavor choices! I need variety because I get bored pretty easily!

OL: What is the best compliment you have received since you started training?

SW: When my twin sister was looking at pictures and didn’t recognize me from behind! She was amazed at how I had transformed my body…mainly my butt!

OL: Do you have any websites, blogs, or event dates you would like to share or promote?

SW: YES! I own Iron Diva Fitness, where you can find functional and fun Brazilian fitness wear that I design! The colors are unique, as well as the designs. I also carry competition shoes, barbell jewelry, Brazilian swimwear, and cool logo casual pieces! We have the coolest burnout shirts! You really should check them out! Through Iron Diva Fitness I try to give back to female athletes. You can find information on our website and out Facebook page.

OL: Is there an event in your life that you can attribute to your success?

SW: There is not really a single event. It is a culmination of surrounding myself with supportive people and always giving it my all! You have to take chances in life in order to achieve!

OL: What is a quote that inspires you?

SW: Oh wow, there are so many! Someone once said to me one day when I was dragging, “Doing it (working out) when you don’t feel like it, is what seperates the champions!”

I don’t know if he knows how much that has pushed me through; even beyond that day! Perhaps I should tell him!

OL: Is there anything else you would like to share to help empower other women?

SW: Really, if I can do this, so can anyone else! You just have to WANT IT! It has to be more important than that cookie or pasta! It has to be something you want completely!