An interview with Deborah Jackson

Deborah Jackson is a native New Yorker living in Jamaica, New York, the mother of two sons and has a 5 year-old grandson. She competes in "Masters" bodybuilding (women over 40), and was the promoter of the INBF (International Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness) 2002 All Natural Bodybuilding & Fitness Explosion. She began training to keep fit in the mid-1980's with a longtime friend and entered her first bodybuilding competition at the Bernard Sealy 2001 Natural New York City. She works as an Executive Assistant to the Senior Partner of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, an international law firm in New York City. Besides bodybuilding, she likes to travel, enjoys cooking and entertaining at home, and spending time at the beach. Because we live on opposite coasts, Patty and I have never met Deborah in person. Our contacts have been periodic e-mail exchanges concerning weight training. From the first, we liked her and think she's an ideal example and advocate for women's fitness and natural bodybuilding. --Logan Franklin

Deborah backstage at the Bernard Sealy Natural New York City competition, with grandson, Darion

Logan: I forget how you first happened to find our web site and make contact. Do you remember?

Deborah: I am not exactly sure either, but I think I was surfing for information on getting in shape naturally, particularly for people 50 and over.

Logan: I think you've mentioned that serious weight training is something fairly recent in your life. Am I right? When did you start?

Deborah: Competition is something fairly recent in my life. Believe it or not, I started weight training in the mid-80's but due to being a single mom, competition was out of the question due to the monetary and time commitment necessary even as a hobby.

Logan: Generally, were you a physically active person before, playing sports and getting in any sort of regular exercise?

Deborah: Actually, no. I had run some track in high school but nothing serious. I always had a pretty good physique, even when I was much heavier, and I exercised sporadically. I never yo-yo dieted. I was "thick" and I stayed that way.

Logan: Describe some of the physical changes that have come about as a result of weight training. Deborah, this one of the few places I can think of where a gentleman might appropriately ask a lady about her weight. Since you started training, has your bodyweight gone up or down?

Deborah: When I seriously decided to become a competitive bodybuilder in 2001, I weighed 171 lbs. How much bodyfat? I have no idea. Today, I weigh 130 lbs. and I estimate that my bodyfat is around 10%, which is still pretty high for a competitor. I have gone from a size 14 to a size 4 or 2 depending on the garment.

Logan: Once you had gotten into training, how long was it before you began thinking about competing?

Deborah: I had a 12 year layoff from the gym and went back to help a friend get in shape. After investing so much time and energy in her, I decided to compete myself.

Logan: What was it like being in your first contest, and how often do you compete?

Deborah: I'll never forget my first show, the Bernard Sealy Natural New York City. I was so excited about this show. I hadn't had a lot of help in the preparation so there was a great deal of trial and error but I knew I wanted to do it. So, I had my posing suit custom made, experimented with the coloring for my body, even though I am African-American, I knew a deeper coloring would enhance my look. It was great getting all gussied up (lol) like a movie star. That's how I felt. I selected my music and began rehearsing my routine over and over again. That year, I competed in three shows. This season I am doing six -- one in the Cayman Islands in August.

Logan: What are your training and competition goals?

Deborah: My training goal is to maintain my level of fitness and reduce my bodyfat to real competition levels. I have to tell you that I find the diet so arduous -- most bodybuilders will tell you the same thing if they're honest. Then, when you want to do it "natural," it's really difficult. I know I'll never be a world-class bodybuilder, only because I started a bit too late but I would like to get my pro card in either bodybuilding or figure.

Logan: I noticed that in a recent contest you were entered in the "heavyweight" category. What are the contest classifications, such as lightweight, heavyweight, age categories, experience, etc.?

Deborah: Any female bodybuilder who comes in 120 lbs. and over is a heavy weight. I compete as a Master. The age requirement is 40 and over. When it comes to age, I always say 40+ and leave it up to one's imagination to guess how much "plus."

Logan: Talk about your workout and how many days per week that you train, and how you divide your time between weight training and cardio?

Deborah: Contest time, I train six days per week in order to "hit" or train the bodypart twice a week. Usually, I am out of the gym in 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The cardio is so, so important for me. Ideally, I should do 45 minutes in the morning and 45 minutes in the evening, but with an extremely busy full-time job, the morning session sometimes doesn't happen. When I am very close to contest, I do my cardio first. I know the age-old practice of weight training first and then cardio is still ritual. But when you're tired, and using every ounce of energy you have to get through the day, you have to make a choice, and the cardio at that time is more important to me. I have a lot of muscle that you can't see so I really need the cardio at this time. In addition, I diversify my cardio: cross trainer, stair master, cycle and boxing. I do pilates for flexibility and ballet for grace.

Logan: Do you work with a trainer or other specialists?

Deborah: Last season I worked with a personal trainer four days per week with good results. This season, I have a trainer to focus on my legs, which are wonderful from what I hear, but they're not "cut" enough.

Logan: Describe your diet.

Deborah: My diet consists predominately of protein and fibrous carbohydrates. I have to limit the complex carbs as they have a tendency to fill me out pretty quickly. I like to maintain a lean appearance all year round. I do eat red meat. When it comes to fish, I stick with flounder, sea bass and salmon -- all fresh. This season I began weighing my portions which is not as much of a chore as it may sound. I drink a gallon of water a day. It takes some people a while, including me, to be able to push it but it really makes everything work better and you look harder. Why? I have no idea, but it really does. I drink spring water in the off-season and distilled (supposedly more pure) during contest prep.

Logan: Do you take any supplements?

Deborah: Yes. I take a multivitamin, extra calcium, B complex all year round. Contest time, I add a fat burner and Taraxatone to rid myself of excess water.

Logan: You compete in "all-natural" contests. I have pretty good idea what that means -- no steroids or other banned substances -- but, in brief, what are the rules regarding the competitions? And how are the competitions monitored to keep out steroid "enhanced" bodybuilders?

Deborah: The INBF has posted a "Banned Substance List" which is self-explanatory. On the amateur level, we are polygraph tested. If you enter a pro-qualifying show and place first or second, you get a pro-card. At that point, a urinalysis is required in addition to the polygraph.

Logan: As a senior fitness buff, I'm always curious about how people react to seniors actually motivated enough to turn off the TV and to regularly go to a gym. Any stories, either positive or negative?

Deborah: It's amazing. When I hear "senior," I think of my grandmother. Today, you can really be as young as you feel. In my opinion, the key to "healthy" longevity is proper nutrition, diet and exercise. I feel better today than when I was in my twenties. Actually, if I could stay the way I am right now for the rest of my life, I would be marvelously happy. Women stop me all the time and ask me how can they look like me or what do I do, how do I eat. It's wonderful, and I am happy to give them whatever information I can. People are amazed when I tell them about my grandson, Darion. Often, they think he's my son!

Logan: How would you advise someone in training and now thinking about competition?

Deborah: I would advise them to join a good gym with excellent cardio and fitness equipment, as well as free weights. If a personal trainer is within their budget, that would also help. Have patience and don't be so hard on yourself. Results are not achieved overnight but with time and consistency, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

Logan: Deborah, thank you for taking time for the interview. Patty and I wish you the best of luck at the Cayman Islands competition next month. We'll be pulling for you, and I'll bet a lot of other people who read this will be, too.

P.S. On Sat., July 12, Deborah did an NPC (National Physique Committee) show and won the Women's Middleweight and Women's Open Overall!

Backstage at the NPC with Deborah Jackson and friends.

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