Page 80 - Demo

80 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || JULY 2015I did 8 acrobatic strength moves on my pole, then did 8 traditional fitness strength moves on the floor. This made my routines incredibly difficult, but my strategy worked. When I stopped doing fitness routines I was Ms. Fitness Southern California, 5th at USA%u2019s and 11th at World%u2019s. FMM: How did you come up with the idea of rental costumes, and has it been popular?SP: I have always made my own Halloween costumes and competition costumes for years. I%u2019ve been known by family and friends as that creative girl that could really come up with fun and different costumes. I owe this talent to my mother. My mother was a theatrical costume designer and had me behind a sewing machine at a very young age. I helped her in her costume shop and learned so much from her. When I would come to competitions people would ask me to make their costumes. When I started figuring what I would have to charge people I felt bad. Competing in fitness competitions is such an expensive hobby. This is when I came up with the idea of rental costumes. I can give people costumes that are valued at $1500 with real feathers and real Swarovski Crystals for around $300. This is such a huge win for competitors. Now I make about 6 costumes for every show.Photo Credit: Dave Robinet | www. www.photosense.ca