Coco Kissack

"Fighting all manner of setbacks, Winnipeg's Coco Kissack has become a provincial novice bodybuilding champion" so reports Scott Taylor from Newmagazine in Canada:

'.. you can't help but get the sense that provincial novice bodybuilding champion Coco Kissack is probably the toughest woman on the planet. .. It's quite interesting that Kissack moved to bodybuilding at a time when the women's bodybuilding divisions are declining. With competitions in fitness and figure, women don't need to get bulky and create what Kissack calls, “that juiced up little man look,” anymore. I think the judges are looking for a lot more femininity,” she said. “And for good reason. A competition called ‘physique,' has already started in the United States and is coming to Canada. It's a competition where you have more muscle than figure, but you don't get that juiced up little man look anymore.''

And Coco herself provides more information (from AMG lite):

Where and when were you born? I was Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I lived there most of my life, but have recently moved to Toronto Ontario

What is your profession? I'm currently working as a personal trainer at Fitness Connection in Richmond Hill Ontario!, and am a sales rep for Advanced Genetics supplements! They are a growing supplement line from Canada. I was a Bus driver for 11 years, but had to find a different job due to a vision disorder. I've also worked as a roofer, carpenter and pro wrestler!

Were you involved in sports or fitness prior to bodybuilding and how did you get started with weight training? I was always into sports. I played Ringette which is kinda like women's hockey for many years and actually was on a team that played in Europe. I've been on Soccer Teams and was a provincially ranked 10 km 5 km runner. I started weight training to improve strength to run, and liked the lifting aspect, so I started training for figures/fitness. Bodybuilding was the natural progression.

Was it a goal for you to compete in bodybuilding competitions right from the beginning or was it something that grew in your mind as time went on and you saw the progress in your body? Bodybuilding was always the goal! Fitness and figures were just steps along the way while I was busy growing!

Can you give me your competition history?
2011 mabba novice light weight champ, masters, best poser
2010 Canadian nationals fitness finalist
2010 mabba fitness provincial 2nd
2009 mabba provincials 2nd fitness
My next competition is Nov 26 2011 in London Ontario. I have to re qualify at level one because of the difference in provinces.

Which contest has been your biggest success; which has had the most meaning to you? I's say the last one.. mostly because it was in Bodybuilding which I love, but partially because it was a REALLY rough personal journey to hit the stage! I was recently diagnosed with a vision disorder/ eye disease and am losing my sight. Weight lifting gave me the strength to continue pushing forward rather than getting depressed about something I cant control!

Please tell me something about your training routine (ie: how many days per week / training split /cardio, etc.) I'm still on a SERIOUS bulk… no cardio yet. I'm currently working out 6 days a week, chest, quads calves, arms, off, hams calves, shoulders, back..

What is your favourite exercise in the gym and which one you don't like so much? I like bench press! lol chest day is my fave! Makes me feel strong! When I started lifting I couldn't bench the bar.. now I can press 185 for reps.. I'm not the strongest girl in the world.. but I'm the strongest in my gym!! I don't really like doing calves, especially seated calves.. I don't fit right in the machine lol.

Which body part is your best in your opinion? I think I have pretty good hamstrings! Lol.. I tore a ham a few years back in fitness.. the rehab was BRUTAL!! But I've really brought them up.. I think working them so much in rehab made them better than before the injury!

If you don't mind would you give me some stats (best lifts and some body measurements)? I'm 5'3” currently sitting at 150lbs.. last comp I was 117. I think ill be about 125-130 next show. Best bench 195. Leg press 630 for 6 reps. Deadlift 255. My squat is crap because of my vision disorder.. I get vertigo when I squat and go completely blind in one eye. So I've re-done my leg routine to do step ups and split squats instead. Chest about 39, waist about 27, thigh 21.5

What do you enjoy about training for competition....what do you enjoy about the 'off season'? I LOVE the discipline of on season training.. getting everything in a routine! Makes life easy!! Off season.. PEANUTBUTTER lol… I like the eating.. I don't off season much tho.. I pretty much clean bulk… I like being STRONG in the off season tho

Please describe a typical day in the life of Coco Kissack. Well, I get up cook and prep food, then usually do my online stuff.. hit an appt for job number one, then head to job number two!.. lol.. after work and training, I walk Gabee (my doggie) and then pass out!.. sounds exciting and glamorous eh??

Please tell me about what you do when you don't work out ( hobbies, what do you do to relax?, etc.) What!!! People do other things besides work out?? Lol.. I like reading.. I'm on a few bodybuilding forums, I like following bb shows, and going to Bodybuilding shows! Reading articles on training techniques… and checking up on my online clients! Oh and I like the beach and walking my doggie.

What do you enjoy most about the bodybuilding/fitness lifestyle? I LOVE being able to do things most people cant! And I love the whole environment! The friendships are as strong as the women and men in the industry! Its like a giant dysfunctional family!!!

Tell me something interesting about yourself, something people may be surprised to hear. Ok.. I'm gonna be a Grandma in about 5 months! lol my daughter is 18 and expecting her first child. I raised her from conception my self. Lol… Something else.. I sew my own suits and have a side line business where I take old rock and roll concert shirts and turn them into dresses.

What are your competition goals or personal future goals? I plan on winning my qualification to Ontario Provincials Next year, then doing provincials and qualifying for nationals!!! I wanna be a National competitor in fitness, bodybuilding and maybe Physique