Amanda Folstad-Ptak Interview

The best compliment I can give someone is the compliment I give to Amanda Folstad-Ptak. She is what is good and right about bodybuilding. I remember the first time I saw a picture of her. I was amazed. She was incredibly beautiful and had some of the best abs I have ever seen in the sport. Actually, not just the abs, she just had an amazing physique. But even more than the outer beauty, inside she is even more beautiful. I sent her a friend request on Facebook, and within a day, I had told her of my dreams and goals to one day compete in bodybuilding, and told her of the problems I had learning somethings, and she sent me several links to sites to help answer my questions. She didn't have to do that, she just did it, because she likes to help people. She saw an opportunity to help, and she helped, and even though I have since learned quite a bit, and have two trainers, I still use the advice she gave me. I was so happy Amanda said yes to an interview, and now I am even more happy to introduce her to those who may not know her. If you love bodybuilding, you will love Amanda Folstad-Ptak.





Q:First Amanda, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this. I am a fan of yours and a great admirer of yours.

Q: Can you tell a little about yourself. Family, where you are from, things like that.
A: I am originally from Montana, grew up there all my life. Both of my parents are great supporters of all I do, including BB, although my Dad likes me better off season :) They will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year!! So proud of them both. I have one older brother, Mike, who is a goofball, gotta love him! He is into drag racing, I'm into bodybuilding, we both picked expensive hobbies!

Q: Were you an especially active or athletic person before you started training?
A: I have played sports all my life, started with learning how to ride dirt bike (motorcycles) and play softball at about 5yrs old...still play softball, love it! I have also been involved with volleyball, basketball, water skiing, kneeboarding, wake boarding...I will try any kind of sport, love them all...


Q: What led to you getting into the gym and training, and how long have you been training?
A: I started lifting weights seriously right out of high school, I just wanted to change my body...I loved the girls in the magazines, Monica Brant, Mandy Blank...both were huge inspirations to me. I always said I wanted to look like them, but NEVER thought in a million years it was possible for me....the more I lifted, the more addicted I became to it, and it grew into a passion, and a bit of an obsession! I learned everything I know through magazines and friends...

Q: I have seen many instances where a beautiful woman like yourself is not taken serious at the gym at first. Did you feel that, like you had to prove yourself at first?
A: I do feel often like I have to prove myself, but it only takes a minute :) haha SOME Guys think they can bully girls around in the weight room, SOMETIMES!! But they learn fast, I can keep up with them :) Most guys are not like that, but you always run across one or two!

Q: Now you started out in figure. What made you decide to compete?
A: I just always wanted to compete, but like I said, never thought I could do it...I had a good friend here in Phoenix finally talk me into my first show...I was going through a rough patch in my life, and he thought it would be a great distraction for me...and he knew I had what it took!

Q: Was your first show what you expected, or did anything surprise you?
A: I surprised me!! I couldn't believe how AWESOME I looked at my first show!! And I didn't even care what place I took, I was so proud that I had accomplished even more than I thought I could with my physique...

Q: Was competing something family and friends supported?
A: Definitely, all my friends and family are very supportive...

Q: You moved on to bodybuilding, what was the reason for the switch?
A: I learned fast that I was too muscular for figure, and I had to train sooooo light to do figure...I tend to put muscle on quickly, so the training for figure was really boring for me...I love to lift HEAVY...and push myself harder and harder. I could do that with bodybuilding, and I didn't have to hold back at all.

Q: Do you have any people in the sport you are a fan of or admire?
A: Monica Brant and Mandy Blank are my original inspirations, now I really look up to Debbie Bramwell, Jeannie Paparone among others.

Q: What do you feel is your best body part, or the one that gets the most compliments?
A: My shoulders and my abs get by far the most compliments.

Q: Do you have a favorite part to train?
A: I love to train shoulders...always been my fave.

Q: Is prepping for figure or bodybuilding harder, or are the pretty much the same?
A: For me it is the same...I dieted just as hard for figure as I do for BB...just the training is more fun for me as a bodybuilder.

Q: One thing I hate at the gym is people not reracking the weights. Any lack of gym etiquette that really bothers you?
A: I Absolutely!! Hate it when guys THROW their weights down on the ground!!!!!!! They are just ruining them for everyone else, loosening up bolts, making them wobbly....I DESPISE IT!!!! If you cant set the weight down, that tells me you cant handle it properly, so maybe go a little lighter next time... hahaha

Q: Do you enjoy helping others out wit tips or advice?
A: I do, I do personal training, so it is a passion of mine...I love to help

Q: If someone came up to you and said they wanted to start bodybuilding, what is the one piece of advice you would want to give them?
A: DO IT FOR YOU...and it doesn't matter what place you come in...just be your best, and be proud

Q: When people see your physique for the first time, what is the most common response? Is it more negative or positive?
A: Mostly positive, but you get negative feedback now and then too...bodybuilding isn't for everyone. Especially women BB...but I think strong women are sexy!

Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question you are sick of hearing?
A: "HOW MUCH CAN YOU LIFT??" Well, what are you talking about, that could go so many different ways....know what I mean?? OMG

Q: Do you have a favorite cheat food?
A: I LOVE cheeseburgers and ice cream!!

Q: Outside of training are there any hobbies or activities you enjoy?
A: I enjoy home decorating and baking, spending time with my husband, and my babies, Oscar and Dempsey (my boxers)

Q: Any favorite actors or musicians?
A: I LOVE to lift to DISTURBED and GODSMACK

Q: Describe Amanda Folstad-Ptak in five words.
A: DEDICATED...STRONG....BEAUTIFUL (Inside)...CARING....KIND

Q: We know sponsorship is very important for a competitor. Is that something you are looking for? If so how can a potential sponsor get in contact with you and tell them what they are getting as far as an athlete and competitor in Amanda Folstad-Ptak?

A: I am always looking for sponsorship, and would LOVE to be contacted...As an athlete, and just a person, I am strong willed, and whatever the goal is before me, I reach it....no matter what. I am unstoppable :)
I can be emailed at sgoddess7@hotmail.com....

Q: Amanda, I can not thank you enough for doing this. A lot of people have agreed to it, but few have made me this happy when they said yes. I am honored. You are everything that is right about bodybuilding. Any last words before you go?
A: Just a huge thank you for thinking of me for your page...I really truly love every supporter I have out there...one of the reasons I keep going strong with it!!