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This month OSXFitness.com is proud to have with us the 2006 Fitness America National World Champion Dawn Butterfield. Dawn’s career spans over 10 years with enough trophies to fill up a basement. The one prize that had eluded her since she began competing was the Fitness America Pageant. Though she had come close on several occasions she seemed to just miss taking home first place. At 40 years old many felt that Dawn’s chances of winning the 2006 Fitness America contest were slim at best. Unfortunately, everyone forgot to tell Dawn that. This 5’ dynamo nailed every aspect of the competition and walked away with the 1st place trophy that she had been chasing for 10 years. Sit back and let us introduce you to Dawn Butterfield. TBM: Dawn, congratulations on winning the Fitness America Pageant in 2006. You have DB: Bittersweet! It was AMAZING to win after all this time but I don't want this to mark the end of my competitive years. DB: I did less weight training more cardio and tons practice but only because my time was more limited. Also, I had a great support group with me for this show... I had a professional make-up artist (Paula Harvey) with me for the weekend so I always looked and felt great... Cathy Savage was there to support me & of course my husband... having that many people in my corner improved my confidence considerably... which really shows on stage.
TBM: Did you work with a personal trainer and nutritionist when you were DB: No... but I do have a coach... Cathy Savage who does my choreography and makes suggestions on how to market myself and what shows I "need" to do. DB: I think it opens lots of doors for all women 40+ DB: No definite plans yet.
TBM: OK, now lets step back a little and let our readers learn a little bit DB: I was a cheerleader (which wasn't considered a sport in my school) also on the gymnastics team. DB: At around age 23 I declared that I would never be able to wear a 2-pc bathing suit because I was so self-conscious about my abs. I felt I was simply more suited for a 1-pc for the rest of my life... why fight it?! I was working full-time and day-dreamed that if I had more time I would pursue a more muscular physique. I put that dream on hold for about 3 yrs... got married & had my son at which time I was fortunate enough to stay-at-home. That's when I first entered the YMCA... I competed about one year later and haven't taken more than 6 months off from competition ever since.
TBM: What was your first competition and where did you place? DB: My first competition was a local ANBC bodybuilding show, I placed 3rd in the short class but got "best poser" probably because I did walk-over's, splits, push-ups w/some dance moves... I was clearly more suited for Fitness! DB: Too many to count... an average of 3/ spring and 3/ fall every year... I own have about 40+ trophies collecting dust in my basement. With the exception of the national level shows I almost always placed in the top 5. DB: My lowest point was placing 13th at The Fitness Universe Pageant in June of 2006 the month before I turned 40 I was sure that was the end of my career... but I picked myself up and won the Fitness America Pageant 6 months later! Every thing happens for a reason... the important thing is to find the lesson in every disappointment.
TBM: What people in your life have been inspirational and supportive of your DB: I've met women who have experienced a lot of friction in their relationships due to the sacrifices they have to make in order to compete... so I am thankful for having such a supportive husband who has not only supported me for so many years but picks up the slack at home when I get over-whelmed. Also, Cathy Savage has been huge inspiration in my competitive career... and life... she is career-minded yet balances business, young children, husband & home with a positive attitude. I wouldn't be nearly as successful without her... she's kept me focused and confident under any/all circumstances that we've encounter over the years! Above all she is a true friend. DB: Do your homework so you know what you're getting into... don't expect to go straight to the top... use your loses to get better... be willing to put in the time and PRACTICE necessary to be worthy of winning and if you don't win don't blame anyone but yourself... there's always room for improvement... know the judging criteria for each show and FOLLOW IT don't try to put your own spin on it and get upset when you don't do well... finally, never burn any bridges or make any enemies this industry is far too small... and through it all SMILE no matter what!
DB:To make it drug-free across the board regardless of organization or level.
TBM: What do you think that this industry has to do to become more DB: Absolutely... it needs mainstream sponsors with large wallets like DIET COKE or McDONALD'S rather than just METRx and Hydroxy-cut... it needs more mainstream media exposure mainly TELEVISION because, for whatever reason, television gives everything more credibility. DB: Some... but much less than I used to. Most jobs I've been involved in are solely "for the exposure" meaning un-paid... usually more work than it's worth. DB: Oxygen Magazine... in an up-coming article on Abs over 40! Honestly, I could retire from the fitness industry was a big, huge smile on my face if I ever made the cover! Also, look for my interview with Coach A in the June 07 issue of Natural Muscle Magazine. (Maybe if these magazines get a brief e-mail from each of you reading this right now, stating that you'd like to see me on their cover, my dream can come true (???)
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