Mona Poursaleh, the bodybuilder
By Shivani Sharma
In Canada, body building is not accepted that well.
There’s no government funding for this sport.
In Canada they say Iran is such a horrible place and vice versa in Iran. In Iran they show that if you go to Canada and you are a doctor, you will have to work in Pizza Pizza or you will have to wash the floor since they do not accept your education which is kinda true. Media I think tries to focus on the bad thing to create a story.
Born and raised in Iran, Mona Poursaleh, a 28 years old promising bodybuilder moved to Canada in 2002. Mona started working out when she was 12 years old in a friend’s gym. She was inspired by the gym instructor there who was 50-years-old and had the best body she had ever seen.
At the time, Mona told herself that she would be like her one day. When she came to Canada, she couldn’t speak any English, but she mastered the language quickly.
She has participated in a number of different body building competitions. In 2010, Mona got first place in Ontario Toronto Pro Show. She took the second place in June 2011 at the IFBB Toronto Pro Super Show and was placed 3rd on 18th May, 2012 in the physique division of the Ontario Physique Association at the Luchka O’brien Mississauga Classic. She is now preparing for her upcoming national level competition CBBF (Canadian Bodybuilding Federation) which is being held in Edmonton, Alberta.
Generation Next got in touch with her to ask her about her lifestyle choice:
Who has been your motivation in bodybuilding?
When I came to Canada, a girl started competing in 2006 and I saw her transform from this girly curvy person to this very lean, muscular bodybuilder. I found that very interesting and was amazed. I started to train with her trainer. In 2006 I began dieting two times a year for the show but in my head I couldn’t put myself in a proper position. I felt humiliated so I decided not to do the show. Every year I tried and I didn’t succeed. Every show takes 20 weeks consisting of proper diet and training. In 2010, I started working with this amazing trainer Darren Oliver. He passed away but he was the best. So when I started working with him, everybody at the gym started complimenting me. After 20 weeks training under him I won my class and the whole show.
How important is diet while training?
For me, 100%. You can train as hard as you can but without a good diet, forget it. My body is very sensitive to food, any changes in my food during the day, will make a huge difference. I cannot have extra protein, extra fat, extra carbohydrates. It has to be precise. I take 5 meals a days, 3 to 4 hours apart. I always carry my meals in my lunch bag and I can have it when I am hungry.
Who is your favourite body builder?
Iris Kyle and Yaxeni Oriquen were my favorite bodybuilders. I used to love their looks.
What are the challenges you faced? As a female, do you think it is more difficult?
In Canada, body building is not accepted that well. A girl being bigger than some other guy is not that good. In States it’s a different story as there are more muscular girls. In my opinion people say that girls who are muscular are gross but I think girls who are obese, fat I think that’s gross. I do whatever makes me happy.
Where do you stand on the use of steroids and supplements?
I did not use any for my show in 2010. In 2011 it was a big show and there were some very big girls there and I tried to look like them. I started using a lot of stuff for my second show. After the show I saw pictures and I was huge. And then I backed off and decided I do not want to do this as physique (bodily muscular structure) is a low form of body building. I am happy that I made that mistake in my second show.
How does your family and friends react to your choice of career?
I have a lot of people from back home on my Facebook. They follow and message me saying how proud they feel about me.
You are from Iran which is a very Conservative society. How did you break free of that?
I think I am the only female body builder from Iran.
Do you think there are misperceptions about countries like Iran in the West?
In Canada they say Iran is such a horrible place and vice versa in Iran. In Iran they show that if you go to Canada and you are a doctor, you will have to work in Pizza Pizza or you will have to wash the floor since they do not accept your education which is kinda true. Media I think tries to focus on the bad thing to create a story.
Is there enough government or corporate funding for the sport?
Some people get sponsors. There is no government funding for this sport.
What are your future goals?
My goal is to become an ICB pro. I want to travel different countries rather than just stay in Canada. This is my first year stepping on stage as a national competitor. So I am going to focus more on looking good than winning.
What message would you like to give kids who would like to pursue bodybuilding?
Everybody should have a trainer especially if you want to pursue bodybuilding. Do not practice things by listening to friends who do not know.
