Interviewed by Kellie Davis

If you meet Gwen Brumfield, you would think she was born running. This athlete who used to run marathons has turned into quite a figure sensation. With three competitions under her belt this past year, Gwen sees no limitations in her ability to succeed.

Growing up in an active home and having unconditional support from her family, Gwen is driven each day to meet and exceed new challenges. If you are every feeling a hint of doubt, just talk to Gwen.

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

Gwen Brumfield: I was born in Washington, MO and my sisters and I were raised in the small town of Union, MO.  In 2002 I moved to Columbia, MO for college and never looked back. I knew that I would never move back home and was prepared to make Columbia my permanent residence.

I met my now husband, Travis, at the Gold’s Gym in Columbia in 2005, bought a house and got married in 2008. Columbia, MO was not officially my home… that was until about a month ago when my husband got a new job with University of TN-Knoxville. I have now lived in Knoxville, TN since the end of May 2010.

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?

GB: My family was for the most part health-conscious, but of course there is always room for improvement.  When I was younger my dad worked nights and my mom stayed home with my sisters and me.  We didn’t have the luxury of ordering pizza or going out for ice cream.  We lived in the country—it was a 15-20 minute drive to any kind of civilization!  So, I was not around the fast food places and convenience stores like most kids.

My mom sometimes would surprise us with homemade doughnuts on a Saturday morning, or let us eat a tiny bowl of chips on a Friday night while watching Dukes of Hazard, or make us milkshakes on a hot summer day.  We ate simply.  As we got older and started having sleep overs our “fun food” became making chocolate chip pancakes on Saturday morning…man those were good!  Not being around all the crap food molded me into a health conscious adult.  I was 22 and living in Columbia before I ever had a pizza delivered to my door.

Growing up in the country we didn’t have all the cable television channels and access to tons of tv shows so we were always outside DOING SOMETHING!  We would be out the door at sun up and back in for dinner at sun down. That’s just the way it was.  I hated being so far away from my friends, but now that I look back on it I am so grateful to my parents for giving us such a well-rounded childhood.

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

GB: This is a tough one… I have 2 that both take the cake.  Running my first (and probably last) marathon in 2008 was a HUGE achievement for me. I started doing distance running when I was younger (living in the country that’s really all you have to do) and worked my way up to doing half-marathons.

Finally, I decided that I was going to set a goal to run a full marathon before I turned 30.  I ran the Country Music Marathon in Nashville TN on April 25, 2008 one day before my 30th birthday!  I completed my goal by the skin of my teeth, but at least I did it!  I didn’t do it fast but once I crossed that finish line the feeling of pride took over and I knew at that moment that I could do anything I set my mind to. That’s when the flood gates opened and the thoughts of figure entered my mind.

My first figure competition was the Kansas City Gold’s Classic in September 2009.  I placed third in both my divisions.  My second competition was the Gateway Naturals in O’Fallon, MO in October 2009.  I placed first in the novice short division and won novice overall!  I could hardly believe that just one year ago I was running a marathon and here I was winning my figure division…it was an amazing experience.  Again, I knew at that moment that NOTHING is impossible if you BELIEVE.

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?

GB: I have always been active: running, hiking, biking, etc.  The day I learned to ride my bike is the day GOD lit my internal “go get’m” torch.  I rode my bike on every country road I could find.  When I got to junior high I loved gym class.  I was one of those weird active kids. You don’t find those anymore because they are all holed up in their rooms playing video games.  I played softball all through my teenage years and in high school I never participated in the school sports because I had to work but I still ran and biked anytime I had the chance.

The first time I stepped foot in a gym I was probably 19-20 years old.  A YMCA had been built in a neighboring town and once I started going and got a feel of those weights it was game on.  I was hooked.  I taught classes, I worked in the fitness room, I lifted, I swam, etc.  It was my calling.  Fitness was to be a part of my life and from that day forward I knew that I had found my passion.

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

GB: My family, God love them, they are VERY supportive.  I am their “little miss fitness.”  My husband tells me that he has never been so proud of me as the night he saw me walk out on that stage for the first time.  My mom AND my husband had tears in their eyes after that first competition. To have that kind of love and support means the world to me.  There is no greater feeling than that of unconditional love and that is what I receive daily from my family.

Most of my immediate family and even some of my in-laws have been to the majority of my competitions.  That’s HUGE!  I am so blessed.

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

GB: LIFE!  Life gets in the way sometimes but I have to keep reminding myself that I am a strong woman and God does not give trials to the weak of heart.  I don’t like to think of what I eat as my “diet”.  I think of it as my nutrition plan.  I plan to eat my chicken and asparagus because it benefits me in so many ways; compared eating on a whim and without intention.

BE INTENTIONAL…that’s the main key.  The body can and will do amazing things if given the right opportunities.  FOOD and TRAINING are just two of those opportunities.  There are always going to be challenges, again, that’s life.  I stay focused on what is important.  I read a positive quote every morning and expound upon that quote throughout the day.  I use these quotes to motivate me and keep me tuned in to what it is that I’m working towards.

I also love to learn. Learning how and what to do to help transform the body into a better, stronger, faster machine — that’s athleticism.  I strive to be the best athlete I can.

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

GB: At this point I really don’t know.  Going into the figure competitions I just wanted to do them for the bodily transformation but what ended up happening is that I transformed my mind.  I see things differently now.  Even if I never get on stage again my “future of fitness” attitude will still be present.

Why?  Because at 50-60-70 years old I will have a quality of life that surpasses most people’s due to the fact that my fitness has been a top priority for my whole life!  My passion for fitness has always been and will always be a part of me..no matter where I am on this earth.

OL: What is your favorite clean eat?

GB: Oh, geez, I have too many!  I love to experiment in the kitchen so if I can only pick one then I would have to say baked cajun chicken with roasted red pepper, asparagus and broccoli.

OL: Do you have an irresistible cheat?

GB: Anyone who knows me knows that I am a SUCKER for nut butters!

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

GB: LEGS LEGS LEGS!!  I love how powerful I feel while doing the lifts.  Some of my favorite exercises are deadlifts, front squats, Bulgarian split squats, and the like.  Here lately I have been doing more Olympic lifts while focusing on more Crossfit workouts.  I like to experiment and try knew things to keep my body guessing.  I am not one to lolly gag in the gym.

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

GB: I usually train in the morning so M1 for me is usually an egg white omlet with veggies and various berries.  Sometimes I will throw oats in the mix but here lately I’ve been eating more Paleo and so far I’m loving it.

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

GB: I take the basics:

Multi-vitamin
Calcium
FO’s
Glucosamine
Used to do whey powders but have dropped that out to be more intentional with Paleo eating

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

GB: Many people can’t believe that for as little as I am that I can lift as much as I do   I’m a “little powerhouse” evidently!  Or, as my oldest sister likes to say, “She’s a brickhouse!”

My trainer is super proud of me and was pretty emotional after my overall winning in 2009….that was a huge compliment in not so many words.

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

GB: On September 27th, Travis and I will celebrate our second wedding anniversary!

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

GB: No, other than just waking up and starting each day with a purpose and with intent.

OL: What is a quote that inspires you?

GB: Those of you who know me know that I love quotes.  Here’s one that always sticks with me:

“To give less than your best is to sacrifice the gift” ~Steve Prefontaine

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

GB: Once you tell yourself that you can’t do something then it makes that something harder to overcome.  You can do ANYTHING if you have the right mindset!  There is always going to be the fear of the unknown but why live life in that constant fear?  You won’t know what you’re capable of until you try, and even then, if you’re not good at it, practice it.

When I first started training I didn’t know as much as I do now, and I don’t know now as much as I will in ten years.  Our bodies are capable of more than we think; it’s our minds that hold us back.  Don’t let your mind hold you back from achieving your goals!