The athlete we are about to meet in this Q&A decided to do her first NPC show shortly after 1 years of training. Moreover, 4 years after her debut as an amateur she also 
succeeded to reach her goal to make it to the pro ranks!
Additionally, it’s time for Rising Muscle to welcome IFBB Pro Tonya Boardman for an interview!
Tonya Boardman
Country: US
State: Alabama
City: Madison
Age: 38
Occupation: homemaker
Division: Bikini
Height: 5’5 ¾” / 166 cm
Contest background: 2009 NPC Southeastern Classic – 3rd place bikini open, 2011 Rocket City Classic – 3rd place bikini open, 2011 Alabama State Championships – 1st place bikini open, 2012 NPC Northern Kentucky – 1st place bikini open/1st place bikini masters, 2012 NPC Jr. National Championships – dnp, 2012 NPC Teen, Collegiate & Masters National Championships – 9th place, 2012 NPC National Championships – 15th place bikini open, 2013 NPC Battle at the River – 1st place bikini open/1st place bikini & overall bikini masters, 2013 NPC Teen, Collegiate & Masters National Championships – 1st place, 2014 IFBB Dallas Pro – 15th place, 2014 IFBB Pittsburgh Masters Pro – 2nd place
RM: Tonya, when did you first begin with gym training and when did the idea to compete come up?
TB: I started training consistently in February of 2008. I had been training for about 9 months when I decided to participate in an online fitness challenge. At the end of the 12 week challenge, one of the other participants, who was a figure competitor, made reference to me competing, and it sparked my interest. I competed in my first show 6 months later.
RM: What are your future goals as a pro bikini competitor?
TB: As with most competitors, my main goal was to earn my pro card, which I did in July 2013. With that checked off my bucket list, I’m just taking it one day at a time and enjoying the heck out of the process, one competition at a time.
RM: Have you been active in any other sports?
TB: I have never really been involved in any other sports, other than a little recreation softball and basketball when I was younger.
RM: What does your weekly training schedule look like?
TB: I weight train five days per week, and my cardio varies between two to five days per week, depending on my goals. I prefer high-intensity interval training over steady state cardio, with my favorite 
RM: Which ones are your favorite exercises at the gym?
TB: Some of my favorite exercises are weighted hip thrusts, deadlifts, hip extensions, t bar rows, straight arm pulldowns, reverse grip triceps pushdowns, barbell military press, upright rows, rear delt raise, and wide grip barbell curls… I could go on and on here!!
RM: Who has been the most influential person in your life so far?
ss half full. I have a great amount of respect and admiration for his work ethic and drive for success. He is always so encouraging and supportive.
RM: Ok Tonya, time for the wrap up of this interview, if there is anyone you want to mention or something you might want to add please feel free to do so:
TB: This is gonna sound cheesy, but I just want to stress how important it is to believe in yourself!! If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anyone else? I struggled with this for the longest time. Don’t rely on others for approval and validation. On the other side of the spectrum.. there is a huge difference between being confident and being arrogant, don’t be the latter!
Thank you Tonya for taking the time and making this interview with Rising Muscle. We wish you all the best with the future of your endeavors, both as an IFBB Pro and with your modelling career.
To contact Tonya:
Facebook – Tonya Boardman Ifbb Pro
Instagram – tonyaboardman_ibbpro
Twitter – @tonyab_ifbb
Photo credits:
First 3 pictures: Benjamin Brignola
Last Picture: Johnny Miller
