Shannon Standish
IFBB PRO FIGURE
Posted 7/25/22
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Coming out of Salem, Shannon doesn't put it out there when she is competing... she keeps it to herself so she can keep her focus on the next stage she steps on. After competing in shows in the Northwest, she ventured down to Los Angeles in 2021 and won her class and Overall before stepping onstage at the 2021 NPC USA and placing in the top 5 in her first National level competition.
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Fast forward to 2022 and Shannon entered the NPC Masters Nationals and not only won her class, and the Overall.. but also her very own IFBB Pro Card!
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1. When and why did you decide to start competing?
I first competed when I was 18 years old. I worked at Golds gym in Salem at the time. I had started lifting there when I was 13!! I always had bigger arms and legs than most females. It used to be a sore spot for me as a teen and even 20’s. When I got back into the sport at 31 I realized my attributes were a blessing not a curse. As an adult my god friend Kristen begged me for a few years to do a show with her. After sometime I reluctantly agreed. The shows went well as well as my training. As I continued I really enjoyed seeing the science and manipulation behind it all. It’s more than just lifting and cardio.
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2. What makes you want to go farther in the sport?
The fact that my body type is celebrated in this sport makes me happy! I might not fit into skinny jeans, but I also don’t have to be a female that goes hungry trying to do so. I also enjoy seeing the changes that take place year after year with the focus and being consistent!
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3. What type of training do you implement during contest prep and the in the off-season?
For off season I work out 2 days on and 1 off, with a 4 day split. I usually only do cardio if I’m really wanting to, but I try to limit that. I keep the area I want to work on the most as the start of the lifting week and prioritize accordingly.
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Prep time it changes maybe every week or every few. Towards the end it’s usually 6 days on with one off! Cardio can be anywhere from 60-90 mins. Both on and off season I stretch and roll anywhere from 2-4 hours a week!
4. What is your favorite type of dieting meals and what is your favorite type of cheat meal?
My favorite type of dieting meals are ahi tuna, scallops and shrimp ! Also I love baked yam with over easy eggs on the top! For a cheat meal it’s always nachos or sushi! Also a great bottle of local Pinot noir is a way to my heart.
5. Who are some of the people that have helped you along the way to get where you are now in life or in the sport?
There are two people that have been there the most during all my preps. That is Jon Hazard my coach and has been since 2016. And my daughter, who has taken all my check in photos, helped me with dishes when I’m too tired, eaten lunchables when I was too tired to cook, and traveled with me to all my shows!
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Others that have been of great help is Andre Scott and Angel Starr with my posing!
6. Who or what inspires you to strive for more in the sport?
I get inspired from soo many in the sport. With some it may be their confidence or style, it could be the physique or the attitude, or their kindness and genuine self. I think the person the most though is my coach Jon. He is competing this year (he hasn’t since I’ve known him) but the way he lives his life and the level he keeps his health is inspiring to me.
7. What is next for you as a competitor?
Goals for me are to grow my glutes! For a pro show I have nothing on the books but I’m sure it won’t be too long. A year off would be nice though.
8. What is your favorite memory good or bad while prepping or competing?
Worst memory prepping was deciding I should blend my food for quick eating during a bar tending shift I needed to work. I blended chicken, asparagus, yam.. added some water to it and packed it to work, thinking I was a Genius. At work I chugged it down quickly in between customers… minutes went by and I felt like I swallowed a boulder. My stomach hurt soo bad the rest of the night. That was a last time of trying to make baby food as my meal!
9. Any website you would like to plug, Facebook, Twitter, personal site, etc...
Feel free to follow me @fitfunshan or @patinabittersweet
10. Anything you would like to say to all the visitors to NPC Oregon?
If you are competing know your why; and if it’s a goal any goal write it down!