Our next Rising Muscle interview will take us to the island of Hawaii to meet IFBB Pro Angela Yamashita. Angela is currently preparing for her next contest in March of 
2016 so we decided to ask her a few questions about her background and what her perspectives on training and the figure division looks like.
Country: US
State: Hawaii
City: Honolulu
Age: 40
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Height: 4’11”
Division: Figure
Contest background:
2011 and 2014 Ikaika Figure Overall Champion, 2012 Paradise Cup 2nd place Class A, 2013 NPC USA Figure Class A, 2014 NPC USA Figure Class A and Overall Champion – New IFBB Pro, 2015 Governors Cup 9th of 34 Open and 3th Masters, 2015 Border States 9th of 25 Open and 4th Masters
RM: Angela, take us back to where it all began, the time you stepped inside a gym and later on becoming an figure athlete:
AY: I started as a personal trainer when I was 28 years old. It wasn’t until I walked in to a 24 hour fitness and a trainer there suggested that I compete. I laughed be
RM: Since you are a mother and is in a relationship, plus you have your daily job, I must ask you how you get your schedule to work with training etc:
AY: Time management, balance, and support of my boyfriend and my son. Every moment of my day is planned out from the moment that I wake up to the time that I go to bed. Even though I have to train twice, maybe three times, a day I never let my schedule affect my mommy duties.
RM: What would you like to tell people who say that they don’t train because the lack of time?
AY: I always believe that you can make time if you want to reach your goals. I grew up in a home that had two rules. There are no excuses except for the ones you make, and there is no time for whining.
RM: If you could give yourself three advices when you first began with gym training, what would those be?
AY: First, don’t listen to people who have negative things to say. Second, surround yourself with people who are positive and who have the same morals and values as yourself. Third, always push harder because someone else is out there pushing just as hard as you are, and champions never give up.
RM: From your perspective, what is important to have genetically to become a successful Figure athlete?
AY: I feel that the most important body part to have is a great back and glute/ham tie-in. There are so many people that can build shoulders and abs, but I truly believe that you win a show from the back shot.
RM: What are your future goals, and when are you planning to compete again?
AY: I am on a training program to compete at the Governor’s Cup in Sacramento, CA. That show is going to be held March 2016. That was my first pro debut show, and I 
RM: Ok Angela, it is time for the round up, if there is anything you might want to add, or someone you want to thank, please go ahead:
I would like to thank my boyfriend for taking care of the shopping and the house while I live at the gym during prep. I would also like to thank my coach, Kim Oddo, founder Body By O. Kim has taken my physique from state level to an IFBB PRO in less than 7 months!
One thought that crosses my mind everyday is that I must push harder than I did the day before…..I never settle….I never accept excuses and I am always willing to do what it takes to be the very best that I can be.
RM: Thank you for taking the time to make this interview. We wish you all the best in your current contest preparation and we are looking forward to see you on stage in March next year!
/ Team Rising Muscle
Contact info:
IG: angelayamashita808
FB: Ifbb Pro Angela Yamashita
Email: [email protected]
