Myriam Capes – Arnold Classic Africa

1) Myriam, at last year’s Olympia you placed third and you placed second at the Arnold Classic Europe. What have you been doing since then? Did you take some time off, or did you get right back into training?

I did take some time off after the 2015 season, enjoying a bit of life’s pleasures with family and friends to always keep a good balance in between each season. I got back into prep mode at the beginning of November for the Arnold Classic in March. This wasn’t my best preparation for some personal reasons, and I also got really sick towards the end (two weeks out from the Arnold Sports Festival) that affected my conditioning big time. It wasn’t my best package and performance, and I came back home with a fourth-place finish, missing the top three by one point.

I couldn’t blame anyone except myself. I know I didn’t put everything I needed to, to be on the top of my game like I usually do. I was a bit disappointed with my placing, but more mad at myself. I kind of got a slap in the face, and that lit up my fire even more! So I didn’t take any break after the Arnold Sports Festival. I’m just keep going to improving my physique and bring back that crazy conditioning from 2015 on the Arnold Classic Africa stage!

2) This will be your first Arnold Classic Africa. Tell us about your prep leading up to this show. Have you done anything different than your previous shows? If so, what things did you change?

Keeping myself in a good physical condition and a good body fat percentage is what I’ve done different this time. This isn’t something easy to do, and I’m sure many competitors can agree with me on this and have had struggles with food after shows. It’s really difficult to stay on track after pushing the limits of my body so much. This time was different for me. I was good and so proud of myself. I was feeling amazing, and for the first time in my career I was able to control my cravings with healthy food only! This is something new for me, and my entire preparation was so much easier. This is definitely the key! This is why it’s supposed to be a lifestyle!

3) The fans always wonder what it’s like to go through a prep being an IFBB professional; take us through a day in your life from when you wake up and when you go to bed.

Ha ha! Are you ready?
8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Wake up and get ready for the gym
9:30: Gym round 1 (45 minutes of weight training and around 30 minutes of cardio depending on the number of weeks out)
12:00 p.m. –  3:00 p.m.: Work with clients
3:00 p.m. –  5:00 p.m.: Routine practice (3 times a week)
Errands, food prep, shower/bath
Answering e-mail, social networking
10:00 p.m.: Relaxation time: reading motivational books and grateful diary
11:00 p.m.: Bedtime
REPEAT

4) This is the first ever Arnold Classic Africa. How does it feel being part of this historic event?

It is such a real honour to be part of the first edition of the Arnold Classic Africa and to share my passion with the world. I feel blessed to be part of the elite of my sport.

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