Interview with Bikini Competitor, Fitness Model and Makeup Artist – Ruby Gracey Delpilar

Can you give us a little background about yourself and what it is you do? (education, profession, where you were born, where you live, etc?)

Fun Facts About me:
• I love red (stands for intense passion & love)
• I love music (all kinds of music especially hip-hop, R&B, dance…)
• I love animals ( dogs and cats)
• I love to travel (love to explore the world)
• I love to dance (hip-hop, salsa)
• I love all kinds of food (especially sushi)
• I’m a Scorpio (the most intense sign)
• I’m a bowler (highest score 279 lol)
• I’m creative (love to draw)
• I’m a loyal friend (always go out my way for my friend/family)

Hi, I’m Ruby Gracey from Sherman Oaks, California. I was born in the Philippines but I’m also part Chinese and Hawaiian. I moved to the United States at the age of 14 and this is where my life truly began. I experienced an unbelievable sense of freedom and independence in my life once I made the move.

Most fitness enthusiasts can’t seem to do just one thing, and I am no exception. I’m a pharmacy auditor in Culver City, a part-time make-up artist, as well as a senior college student at Cal State Northridge. I expect to graduate in the fall of 2014 with my degree in Communication Studies, with a minor in Public Health–just around the corner! Woot! I am also an actress, which I’ve put on hold since I am finishing up school and taking my fitness ambitions to a different level. I’m also competing as a Team Edge bikini athlete, where I have won 1st place and 2nd place in recent months!

You are makeup artist, actress, and a model. What came first? What was your turning point to fitness?

Ha ha. Well, growing up I’d always dreamed of being on the cover of magazines and it is still my dream to this day.

I had an opportunity to be an actress (on the Filipino show “Ang TV”) when I was 12 years old, but my mother did not allow me to be a part of it. Growing up my mother was very strict and did not let me do any of the things I wanted to do as a child. So now that I’m an adult, I’m trying to experience many different things, often for the very first time.

Make-up has been a hobby of mine since I was a little girl. I loved make-up so much that I went to Cinema Make-Up School in L.A. to get certified and make it official. I’m also now a freelance make-up artist for MAC Cosmetics, and I feel that being an actress, model, make-up artist and a fitness bikini athlete all go hand in hand. You could say that modeling came first and then acting. To be an actress or model, you have to be in shape at all times, and I learned how to look presentable, how to expertly apply make-up and coordinate different looks and clothing styles. Having said that, being fit has always been a priority for me since I’m also interested in the entertainment industry.

What made you decide to go into fitness modeling and what inspired you to compete?

First off, as a child I saw my family battle with obesity, diabetes, thyroid diseases, and high blood pressure, which likely gave me the internal motivation to stay fit. Seeing them live unhealthy lives was a wakeup call for me, so I’ve been active for most of my life. However, I never imagined myself competing on stage wearing an itsy-bitsy tiny Ingrid Romero bikini (LOL). Also, due to a difficult childhood I was shy, self-conscious, and reserved, and as matter of fact I signed up for Junior ROTC to conceal my body during high school. I was quite insecure and depressed because of my negative upbringing. But as I grew older, I became more comfortable with my body, able to shut out those voices from my past, and I eventually broke out of my shell. What really inspired me to compete may be surprising. When I was training for a co-lead role in an action movie, I hired a trainer, learned both Kung Fu and kickboxing in preparation, but then my dream didn’t come to fruition. I was broken-hearted at first. Still determined, I told my trainer, “Since I’ve been training for 4 months, let’s put this training to good use!” Then I saw the cover of one of the women’s fitness magazines. At first I was a bit apprehensive as I didn’t want to bulk up, but then I found out about bikini competitions and I was interested!

What was your first competition like?

Wow, well my very first competition was intense and nerve-wracking. My trainer was there for me throughout the process but it was still my first time. I hardly knew anything at all about the competition: what the judges were looking for, how to correctly diet, or how to pose properly. Despite these factors I did my best and finished in 8th place. I didn’t do as well in my first competition as I had hoped for, but it was a great learning experience. I was grumpy and felt dehydrated, and I didn’t have any clue on how to prep properly or eat on the day of the show. However, I was in shape and my abs were looking good! Then, I saw these girls in the competition who were part of a sizable team with coaches—Team Edge—and the rest is history!

We’re curious, what is your diet like? What do you eat in a typical day? Do you avoid anything in your diet?

Right now I’m trying to bulk up a little bit for my upcoming competition on March 8th, so my Coach Joe D (Team Edge) has me eating 7 meals a day, and he’s increased my complex carbs.

I’m well fed; I’m not starving yet, so right now I’m smiling. I drink 1-2 gal of water per day. My typical meal day is basically the following:

Monday:
Meal 1: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 4 egg whites, 1 cup spinach
Meal 2: 4oz chicken breast, 10 asparagus
Meal 3: 3oz chicken, 1 cup of broccoli, 1/4 avocado
Meal 4: (pre workout) 4 oz. ground turkey, 10 asparagus, 5oz sweet potato
Meal 5: (post) 1scoop whey, 1 banana immediately after workout, 45 min later 4oz Tilapia, 10 asparagus, 2/3 cup brown rice
Meal 6: 4 egg whites, 10 almonds

What’s your training routine? What specific program do you follow? (Please include a few details – training split, sets/reps, exercises, types of cardio, etc.)

My daily routine is pretty tough. Since I have to be at work by 6:30am until 3:30pm, then school from 6pm-10pm several days a week (I catch up with my sleep on the weekends); I wake-up at 3:20am to give me time to eat my pre workout meal and enough time for it to digest(30 mins), then I head to the gym. We are trying to bulk up, so cardio is very limited this show prep. I only do the following Cardio:

• Cardio: 30 min running/elliptical
• Cardio: 30 min steady pace on treadmill/ elliptical
• Cardio: 30 min stair mill with kickbacks

My workout program includes some plyometric exercises, heavy lifting, and sprinting then cardio after. For example:

Leg Day
• Leg Press 4 sets x 12, High knee 4 sets x 45 sec
• 1 set x 1 minute sprint on 10% incline
• DB Curtsey Lunge, Jump Lunges (high step) 4 sets x 45 sec
• 1 set x 2 min sprint on 8 % incline
• Stiff leg dead lifts 4 sets x 12, 180 degree jump squat 4 sets x 45 sec
• 1 set x 3 min sprint on 5% incline
• Cable kickbacks 4 sets x 12 each leg, side to side with band 4 sets x 45 sec
• Cardio 30 min stair mill with kick backs

Glute Day
• Weighted Split Squat 4 sets x 12 each leg, Weighted Lower Back Ext- 4 sets x 12
• 1 set jump rope x 45 sec
• Donkey kicks on Smith Machine 4 sets x 20, Hip thrust – 4 sets x 20
• 1 set jump Rope x 45 sec
• Stiff legged dead lifts, Lying leg curls- 4 sets x 12
• 1 set Jump Rope 45 sec
• Walking DB lunges 4 sets x 40

Do you believe in supplements? If so, what are the ones you use, and what results have these given you?

Absolutely! The fact that I’m lifting heavier weights right now, I take glutamine– one of my best friends as it aids for soreness. I also take amino acids (BCAA orange flavour) and I take protein powder such as Forza Pro (chocolate mint flavour) Iso100 (chocolate and vanilla flavour) after workout. Training everyday, sometimes gets tiring so I take pre-workout such as C4 or Adrenherlyn which gives me energy to finish my 2-3 hour workout at the gym. I also take multivitamin such as Optiwomen.

How does your discipline as a fitness model influence your life as a whole?

Ever since I started training and competing as a fitness model I have noticed not only that I am feeling more positive and confident about my life as a whole, but also that I am more organized, more motivated and more determined. No goals seem unattainable to me anymore. Taking risks in order to accomplish my goals has just gotten easier over time. Even without “winning” a fitness competition, I learned so much about myself, especially letting go of all the fears and anxieties that limited me in my past; but when I began to win, it became that much sweeter a victory! I have definitely learned that taking a risk is necessary for growth, and that it’s not something I should fear.

Fitness definitely helped me develop and strengthen my character, as it gives me so much more confidence in myself. I began to believe in and love myself even more, and I was able to free myself of negative things like negative people, bad food, and nonsensical things that were influencing my life.
The results from my lifestyle are not just limited to my body!

What advice would you give to motivate others to embrace a fit and healthy lifestyle?

People often ask me, “How do you do it?” Or they tell me that they want to lose weight, or that they actually, seriously need to lose weight but they are not doing anything about it. I always tell them to commit to themselves, that getting fit is the single most important change they should make in their lives. Once they begin the road to fitness, their lives will become immeasurably longer, safer, healthier, and more fulfilling. It will open doors in their lives that they were never aware of, just as fitness did in my life. One thing that beginners need to be aware of is that physical transformations never happen overnight. The goal of a fit and healthy lifestyle will not be accomplished without patience, consistency, and dedication. In the end though, it is all worth it!

When and where will you compete next? Are you doing anything different to help you prepare for the next show?

We decided to do one more local show before Nationals (USA). I’m currently prepping for my next show which is March 8th 2014 in Culver City (Muscle Contest). The different thing I’m doing this prep is eating more carbs and lifting heavier weights.

What are your long term goals in this industry? Are you working on any upcoming projects?

I can’t imagine my life without fitness being a major part of it, so I’m currently working on getting my NASM Certification, so I can start training my friends, co-workers, colleagues and others who have asked for help to get in shape, and eventually become a nutritionist. I’ve worked and continue to work on a few small projects and promotions for my trainer and coach, and hope to do more, as well as earn a place on the cover of one of the major fitness magazines! I’m also competing in Nationals in July 2014.

Any shout outs? Where can we find you on the Internet?

My first shout out is to my one and only; my best friend and the most loving and caring person, who has always been there for me; the person in my life who has loved me even when I was not very lovable (during prep time and other times, ha ha); my number one supporter, my man, my family, Troy. I wouldn’t be here without his unconditional love and support, which he continually gives to me. I owe everything to that man.

Also, to my extended family: Nikki, Georgie, Joe, and Gregg. Seriously, this family is the most incredibly warm- hearted group of people I’ve ever known, who welcomed me into and as a part of their family. Another shout out to my two favourite trainers: Coach Dan, & Gary Matthews. Though it’s always a love and hate relationship during our training sessions, I could not have done any of this without them. They helped mould my body into incredible shape!

And I would definitely have to send a heartfelt shout out to all of my Team Edge family, and especially to Ingrid Romero and Joe Discullio. These two are the most amazing, sweetest persons I have ever met in my life, and they are the reason why my passion for fitness is getting some serious results! Ingrid and Joe are remarkable for their continued hard work and support for all Team Edge athletes, and they serve as daily inspiration not just to me, but to so many people. Joining Team Edge has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I truly felt a sense of completion and belonging in my life once I joined and become a part of the group of wonderful people at Team Edge, whom I consider to be my second family.

You can find me at the following website:
www.rubygracey.com
www.facebook.com/RubyGracey21
www.linkedin.com/rubygracey
@rfoxie (instagram)