Interview Summary

            On February 24th, I interviewed my NPC bikini prep coach and Ms. Bikini Ohio 2017, Adison Barnhart. I chose to interview Adison because she is involved in the NPC bikini competition community, and she is also very active on social media sites such as Instagram and Youtube. She is an aspiring registered dietitian at The Ohio State University, an NPC bikini competitor competing for her IFBB pro card later this year, and an online diet and training coach for Bair Aesthetics, the team I am going to be representing on stage this fall when I compete. During our interview I asked her a series of questions about how social media affects her as an NPC bikini competitor.

            Me: “What made you want to compete in your first NPC bikini competition?”

            Adison: “I always found bodybuilding intriguing but never really had the support system behind me to go for it. Eventually I dropped the negativity in my life and just went for it. I wanted to challenge myself and see how far I could push my body. I also wanted to do something I enjoyed, understood and something I could grow a business out of that involved my passion of educating others about nutrition and dietetics in a beneficial way.” 

            Me: “Do you feel as if your views on your own body image have gotten worse, better, or have stayed the same?”

            Adison: “I feel like my body image has gotten better - I am confident in my body at all stages: bulking, cutting or maintaining because I know every stage is important when it comes to overall health. Before bodybuilding I wasn't as confident because I didn't know what was going on in my body at all times - now I do. “

            Me: “Do you think as a competitor social media such as Instagram and YouTube affects you in a positive or negative way, or a bit of both?”

            Adison: “I think it affects me positively and negatively but more so positively. I've learned to take everything I see with a grain of salt because I know nobody is perfect even if they seem like it. Taking myself for example - my instagram makes me seem like I have It all together or I'm always happy, but really I don't and I'm not. Everybody goes through hard times. Instagram and YouTube are big motivators for me because it is fun to show progress and hearing other people's stories.”  

            Me: “ Do you think some bikini competitors are more affected by what they see on social media than others?

            Adison: “I think all competitors and all humans are affected by what they see on social media. Everybody follows or watches what interests them which affects them in some way. A men's physique guy is going to be affected by social media the same way a bikini competitor is - they see someone doing better than them and they're going to be envious or they see something awesome and its going to motivate them. It’s just how the human brain works. I do think women are a bit more dramatic and entice the drama more than men, but all competitors are affected by social media and I'm sure if social media wasn't around - people wouldn't be driven to compete. 

            I think that my interview with Adison shows the mental struggle associated with social media and competing. People have the ability to portray themselves in whatever way they wish to on social media, but it’s important to remember no one is perfect. Social media was a huge driving force in my decision to compete, and watching Adison through Instagram and Youtube inspired me to try it out. As I get more and more involved in the NPC bikini community, I am challenged by what I see on social media. Other’s progress inspires me to work harder and longer in the gym to be the best version of myself possible, even if what I see discourages me or puts me down sometimes.