FigureRX Spotlight on Tara Gooch
at the 2008 NPC North Americans

FigureRX Magazine Volume 7

To borrow a phrase from a 1980's television show, we really like it when a plan comes together, especially for people who work really hard! Figure competitor and Alabama girl Tara Gooch is headed to Cleveland this weekend to compete at the 2008 IFBB North Americans, just one week after her engagement to be married, and not only does she have the tools to compete at the highest levels but she also has a very outgoing personality and is enjoying every minute of her journey.

IFBB North Americans - LIVE UPDATES Saturday

Tara is someone who really jumped out to us in 2007 both at Junior Nationals and Figure Nationals in New York, with her beautiful symmetry, ripped abdominals and long, vascular upper body lines. Over the past few months she stayed away from the stage in order to re-tool her look with the help of expert trainer Greg Hasberry and we can expect a great presentation at North Americans and beyond.

Tara's Fast Facts:
Name - Tara Gooch
Height - 5'3-3/4"
Weight - 122 lbs contest/ 136 lbs off season
Birthday - November 30, 1970
Home town - Birmingham, Alabama
Hair / Eyes - Blonde / Blue
Favorite music - Alternative and Hip Hop
Favorite diet food - Oatmeal
Favorite cheat food - white chocolate bread pudding from Prarie Fire Grill!
Current occupation - Business Analyst with Insurance Company
Athletic background - Began training in 1992
Latest news - I just got engaged!!!!!!! August 22nd! So you know I'm gonna have a big smile on my face when I'm on stage!

Hi Tara! Thanks for taking a few moments to talk with us. So first off, you know we really like you because of what we wrote in our show reviews last year. What have you generally been working on since you last competed at the 2007 NPC Team Universe in New York?

Thank you! I must like you too because I'm always on your site! I have really been studying the new figure criteria this year. I realize I came in a little hard and dry last year and I know that is not what the judges are looking for. My trainer and I have worked on streamlining my lower body with my overpowering upper body to give a more balanced look. You will also see a tad bit softer Tara at the North Americans show. I'm very excited about it!

What is your training philosophy (heavy or light, cardio, lifting)? Are there any particular body parts that you consider to be strengths, or weaknesses?

I stay with lighter weights with more repetitions. I think with the changes figure is making that this weight training philosophy seems to work better for my body. I generally stay with 30 minutes of cardio 3 or 4 times a week in the off-season. I move up to 45 minutes to an hour, twice a day close to competition.

My training schedule is as follows:

Day 1: Back, Hamstrings, Abs
Day 2: Chest, Calves
Day 3: OFF
Day4: Legs
Day 5: Shoulders, Abs
Day 6: Track/Plyometrics/Stadiums
Day 7: Biceps/Triceps

My weakness would have to be my legs. My strength is my shoulders and my abdominal muscles. I am noticing a trend going toward smoother abdominals instead of the 6 or 8 pack. I'm gonna focus on bringing in a great look at this show, so if my abs happen to jump on the plane with me and join the party - I can't help that!

Your MySpace page says "a little extra baggage" under body type. You were kidding right? :-) Have you made any adjustments based on the new judging criteria for 2008?

I kid, I kid! Actually, I felt like I was carrying extra baggage during my off season this year! I have never been one to add too much weight in the off-season, but realized in order to grab some gains that I was going to have to suck it up and go ahead and buy that size up in jeans! I think it's paid off with giving me a fuller, more symmetrical look this year and my glutes and legs have really come up!. Every moment of my training this year has focused on thinking about and studying the new criteria. It's such a subjective sport with so many wonderful physiques that you just never know. However, I feel really good about my look going into this show.

Briefly if you could, please tell us a little bit about your background, such as where you grew up, your family, other athletics, academics, when you began weight training, and how you became interested in competing.

I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. I moved to Birmingham, Alabama when I was in 7th grade and I have been here ever since. I was never an athlete in school. I started weight training in 1992 after watching Terminator II with friends. Linda Hamilton's body was so smoking HOT in that movie that I vowed I would have a body that good or better one day! It wasn't until 2004 that I started competing in Figure after some advice and encouragement from others in my gym. I also started getting lots of questions from beautiful ladies wanting diet and workout advice. So I got my ACE certification in 2005. I currently do not train clients due to having a full-time job and training myself, but I certainly love helping people reach their fitness goals whenever I can!

Do you still, or did you ever do any training with Greg H in 'Bama? Where do you find the best training and diet advice? Where do you work out and who do you work out with? Is there anyone in particular who you would like to thank, such as a sponsor, significant other, etc?

Greg Hasberry is not only my trainer, but a dear friend. He is the one person that saw the potential in me and believed in what I could achieve. His training philosophy and dietary advice have worked for me over the years and brought me into a top 5 placing in 2006 at the North Americans! We both study this 'sport' like crazy and have such a passion for it. I guess you could say that we are like brother and sister, which can be good and bad! LOL. Others I would like to thank are my fiance, David Hollingsworth, who has been there EVERY step of the way - cooking my meals, dealing with my mood swings, etc. :-) and my sponsors, Michael at Fit Life Nutrition and my gym, Fitness Xpress. Of course, my family and friends are the most wonderful supporters in the world!

Do you have any role models in bodybuilding, fitness and figure?

Of course I do! I have always loved the look of Mary Elizabeth Lado. When she is on, she is the ultimate figure athlete! Most of all, I admire all the ladies that I have seen over the years in local competitions. Most are moms, full-time workers, and devoted wives that strive to take the next step with themselves and their physiques. I am lucky and blessed to be able to work beside and compete against such wonderful women.

Thanks Tara, we love you and best of luck at North Americans and at Nationals in Atlanta!!

To see Tara's contest history and a list of all of her appearances on FigureRX please see her profile on Bodybuilding Weekly.

Interview conducted by Rada for Bodybuilding Weekly and FigureRX Magazine.