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Theresa Hessler Bodybuilder and Fitness Model

Article care of theresahessler.com

Theresa Hessler Biography

Birthday:              July 19, 1969  Baltimore, Maryland
Nationality:     German/Polish
Height:            5'7"
Hair:                Blonde

DEGREES: I graduated with my bachelor?s degree in Accounting from the University of Baltimore, December 1997. I have plans to continue my education, but I have remained undecided what I ultimately want to do when I grow up.

I have been working as a legal assistant for the past ten years, but I?m not sure I want to go to law school. I most recently started my own personal training business which has done extremely well. It's a good feeling to share my fitness knowledge to help others achieve their goals. I am training a few women who will be competing in upcoming fitness competitions and I'm excited to see the end result.

I have been involved with fitness since I was a young girl. I quickly gained the reputation of a tomboy. TV was boring for me, it still is, so I played every sport I could. In my freshman year of high school, I made varsity track. I have been weight training since I was 16.

Theresa's accomplishments include:

-1998 IFBB Czech Pro Fitness - 
  6th place
-1998 IFBB Fitness International - 
  6th   place
-1998 IFBB Pro Fitness of France - 
  7th   place
-1997 IFBB Jan Tana Pro Fitness
  Classic -  1st place
-1997 IFBB Italian Pro Fitness - 
  1st place
-1997 IFBB Midwest Pro Fitness
  Classic - 3rd place
-1997 IFBB Czech Republic Pro
  Classic - 3rd place
-1997 IFBB Fitness International - 
  6th  place
-1997 IFBB Fitness Olympia -
   8th place
-1996 IFBB Jan Tana Pro Fitness
   Challenge - 1st place
-1996 IFBB Florida Fitness
   Championships - 3rd place
-1996 IFBB Fitness Olympia -
   6th place
-1996 IFBB World Professional
  Fitness Championships - 7th
  place
-1995 NPC National Women's
  Fitness Championships - 
  3rd place
-1995 NPC Maryland Women's
  Fitness Championships - 
  1st place
-1995 Best Body on the Beach:
  Ocean City, Maryland - 1st place
-1995 Best Body on the Beach:
  Roehobeth Beach, Delaware - 
  1st place
-1994 Ms. Volleyball Blast - 
  1st place
-1993 Best Body on the Beach:
  Ocean City, Maryland - 1st place

Theresa Hessler Interview

published courtesy - TrueBodies.com

TB:  What is the one question you have never been asked in an interview that you always wished someone would ask and what is the answer to that question?
TH: What is it like being an IFBB Fitness Pro?  The competition aspect was great.  I enjoyed traveling all over the world and I developed friendships with many of the women who I competed with.  It was an opportunity that I am extremely grateful I was able to experience.  However, the women in the sport are taken advantage of.  We are expected to do photo shoots with no pay because it is "free publicity".  Yes, it is great exposure for many, but these magazines are making a fortune and they can at least pay their models a fee.   It is extremely difficult to make a living in the fitness business.  Only a select few that I know of have been successful.  One of the biggest things that turned my stomach about the fitness industry was that many of the most  powerful influences lacked integrity.  We all know that drug abuse is a common problem with the bodybuilders, but now it seems to be creeping into the fitness industry as well.  Fitness is suppose to be healthy and something that the everyday woman can aspire to.  The look is becoming unhealthy and undesirable for most women. 

TB: What is the strangest question you have ever been asked in an interview?
Ok - this wasn't asked in an interview, but the strangest question I have ever been asked, and this is pretty strange, "are your abs real or do you have implants?"  OUCH!!!!!

TB: What has been your proudest achievement?
Accomplishing all I have in the fitness industry while working a full time job, going to school part time for my accounting degree and graduating with Honors.

TB: If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island what would you wish for in the following categories?
  A. Four movies. Pretty Woman (for the dreamer in me),  Something about Mary (to make me laugh), Titanic (for the romance), The Sixth Sense (for the mystery)
  B. Three music discs. Toni Braxton, Creed,  the radio (this is what I listen to the most - does this count)
  C. Two books.   Conversations with God and anything Patricia Cornwell
  D. One meal. A filet mignon with pasta and a piece of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory

TB: What did you want to be when you were a child?
I always wanted to do something that helped people like a physical therapist. 

TB: Where do you see yourself in five years?
In the career department, I see myself being successful in whatever I decide to do in life.  I haven't been fortunate to find a particular passion and I hope within the next five years I fulfill this part of my life.    I will always stay dedicated to fitness - my drug of choice.   Whenever I am sad or stressed, I just go to the gym and walk away completely cured.    I also see myself starting a family in approximately five years. 

TB: If you could have dinner with one person who is now deceased, who would it be and why? 
My Grandparents - ok I know that is two people but I can't say one without the other.  I never really got to know my grandparents (they died when I was young) and I always feel like I missed out on that part of my life.

TB: Last movies you saw in a theater?
Just saw Tomcats, cute movie -  others are: Hannibal - I will never look at Ray Leyota (sp) the same way - I see him all the time in the gym.  Traffic, Castaway, Billy Elliott.