Page 94 - Demo

94 || FITNESS MAGAZINE || NOVEMBER 2015 MS, CSCS, CCN, CNS, CISSNMedical Exercise Specialist, Certified strength and Conditioning Specialist,Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Sports Nutritionist www.brilliantfitnessandnutrition.comwww.brilliantathlete.com Ashleigh Gass graduated from the University of Victoria, Canada, in 2003 and The National Coaching Institute in 2004.She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Medical Exercise Specialist (MES), Clinical Nutritionist (CCN), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), and Sports Nutritionist with a Masters degree in Human Nutrition. She is also a GymnsticBodies(TM) athlete/student/coach and new affiliate. Look for SLICE Gymnastics Strength Training developing in Clearwater, FL%u201d.She serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for ARIIX, and is a consultant for MTL (Molecular Testing Laboratories) - a genetic testing company out of Seattle, Washington. MFM: You were involved in many sports at the early age, what was your favorite sport and why?AG: I loved everything about sport but really resonated with gymnastics and tennis. The beauty and strength of female gymnasts was captivating - I spent hours studying and sketching their physiques. Female tennis superstars Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini and Martina Navratilova inspired my every move. Svetlana Boginskaya, the %u201cgoddess of gymnastics%u201d made me want to be a Russian gymnast! Growing up, my room was covered floor to ceiling with posters of these athletes.MFM: Describe your family impact on your motivation and desire to pursue career in Fitness and Nutrition?AG: My family was and is always amazing and supportive. My parents made sure my brother and I was involved in all the community sports and always gave us opportunities to participate. Bless their hearts - the amount of driving back and forth to gymnastics alone was obscene. MFM: You start gymnastics at the age of 3, do you think this is a right age to get involved in this field? AG: That was my experience, yes. Coach Christopher Sommer, professional gymnastics coach and long-term US junior national team coach recommends swimming from birth to 18-24 months followed by mommy and me group gymnastics classes. If the child shows talent and desire, team preparation could begin at age 5 or 6. He%u2019s also clear to dispel the myth that gymnastics is %u2018hard on the bones%u2019 %u2013 stating that the exact opposite is true. Gymnastics is excellent for developing bone strength. The high bodyweight multiples (10-14xs bodyweight) of plyometric rebounds and landings build enormous bone strength and resiliency.