This week, I have the story of one of our most inspirational Platinum Members of the EliteFitness.com Discussion Forums. Amanda "Mandi" Victoria, who goes by *bunny* on the forums. Mandi was always a great looking woman - fit, trim, and sexy. Then in January of 2004, she was diagnosed with Cancer - Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma to be exact. Her doctors told her that she had a large malignant tumor that engrossed many of her internal organs and the surrounding areas of her abdomen and groin - including her uterus, pelvis, rectum, ovaries, and kidneys. Over the course of a year, she was treated aggressively with Chemo therapy to fight the Cancer.

At times, the treatment must have seemed worse than the cure as the Cancer and the Chemo stripped her of her energy, good looks, and sexy figure. It also caused her to gain 50 lbs. The good news is that against the odds, her Chemo treatment was a success and her tumor shrank. The bad news is that the treatment left her sexy former self a distant memory. Here\'s her pics after the successful treatment.

In late September of 2004, she joined EliteFitness.com as a Platinum Member. And, using all the tools that the site has to offer, as well as lots of support from the other members, aggressive supplementation from AnabolicFitness.net and a ton of hard work, dedication and perseverance of her own, she not only took back what Cancer had taken from her, but she surpassed her prior level of fitness and musculature. This interview is Mandi\'s story.

GS: What\'s your name?
Mandi: Amanda aka Mandi, aka Love aka Bunny, aka Frankie Blunt (I’ve been known to have random & rather blunt comments shoot out of my mouth from time to time)

GS: How old are you?
Mandi: 27 years young.

GS: Where are you from, where did you grow up?
Mandi: I have lived in Illinois my entire life, except my short stint at KU... Chicago burbs to be more specific.

GS: When did you first come to EliteFitness.com?
Mandi: I joined EF September 17th, 2004, finally got the courage to start my own log the evening of Jan 25th, 2005 and so the Legend of Bunny began! Here\'s where I was after 6 weeks on EF.

GS: What\'s your name on the forums?
Mandi: *bunny*

GS: How did you choose your name on the forums?
Mandi: It came to mind rather quickly actually, Bunny is a nickname and a term of endearment I use often... plus it feels good in my mouth when I say it. (lets hope THAT comment doesn’t get taken out of context) lol.

GS: Have you made many friends on the forums?
Mandi: Simply put... I have met some of the most informative, intelligent & kindhearted individuals in this WORLD on EF. As far as helpful information on training, this is site is a treasure it’s all FREE, unless of course you go Platinum as I did.(which I highly recommend by the way... My posts, pictures & signature, probably make a heck of a lot more sense that way too)

GS: Do you see any of them in the offline world?
Mandi: I was due for a vacation so I told Sassy (a very prominent & intelligent EF Moderator) I was flying to ATL & coming to her show last year in May 05. This has been commonly referred to as the “Atlanta meet-up.” It was AWESOME to finally meet & interact with the person behind the name. This summer I will also be meeting up with some of my girls to support a fellow EF Platinum Member in her first competition.

GS: How many times a week do you come to the site?
Mandi: Ha... I have EliteFitness.com up & running usually from the time I wake up until the time I leave my day job. Yes, my job is demanding but I have no problem multitasking and often find myself bored if I am not doing more than 2-3 things at the same time. I update my training log daily, but I am also there to "crack the whip" on the ladies who started a log over on Women’s Forum.

GS: What forums do you read the most?
Mandi: Read most... The Women\'s Fitness Forum. There is some fantastic information up in this forum people! I’ve recently ventured over to read/post more in the Diet, Supplements, & Weight Training forums. Yes, I came out of my shell!

GS: How do you use the site and the forums to compliment and support your training?
Mandi: Wow, how can I sum up the most important event in my life to answer this question? I can literally write a book (or two) to answer this question, and strangely enough, I have been asked to do so. This site has completely changed my life.

Brief background - I was diagnosed with Cancer circa January of 2004, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma to be specific. Chemo was the only option due to the severity of large wrapping tumor that engrossed my organs & surrounding areas in my abdominal/groin region (abdomen, uterus, pelvis, rectum, ovaries, kidneys, to name a few). I had a great run with Chemo... I exhausted all the sessions allowed before a mandatory break was required and whaddya know, the tumor SHRANK.

Imagine demolishing a skyscraper, and all the rubbish left over, that is what’s there now, and that is what has been inactive for about 1 year and 8 months. After growing for five full years, now I’m in remission.

There are characteristics about me that died with the cancer, and can stay buried. Those characteristics that remain are ones I’ll happily take with me on my journey at this 2nd chance at life. I opt to not live my life in regret. I feel cancer was an absolute blessing.

After I got the docs ok to workout, I joined a gym & by chance found a link to EliteFitness.com in some random fitness forum on a no-name website. I browsed around, read a thread that changed my thinking, became a Platinum Member and never looked back.

This site has offered me a front row ticket into the diet & training film of my life. The variety of different routines, opinions, diet & training principles and diverse people is incredible. The possibilities are endless if you use the site for research, education, experimentation, and who knows, you may even meet a few awesome people along the way.

GS: What are your goals for the future both with your physique and otherwise?
Mandi: Stay healthy, happy & fit as long as I can, while expanding my knowledge base. I love to learn & read, so I would eventually like to go back to school to obtain a few degrees … once the opportunity presents itself … It’s been a very bumpy road for me, but that’s not holding me back! I’ve been approached for newspaper articles, modeling and the whole book idea. I have never thought that would be offered in this lifetime so I am looking into my options. =)

GS: Please tell us how you train?
Hard... and I am constantly experimenting and pushing myself to see what I can handle.

When I started My Log back in Jan of 05, I jumped on the One Body Part a Day bandwagon... because you have to start somewhere. This worked great for me & my goals at that time. My program looked a little like this:

• Mon. – Legs
• Tues. – Back
• Wed. – Chest
• Thurs. – Shoulders
• Fri. – Arms
• Sat & Sun OFF.
• Cardio 3-4 days a week
• (3 days HIIT preferably mornings on an empty stomach & 1 day (Sat/Sun) of my choice, which I often used the arc trainer)
• Abs 2-3 days a week.

Calorie intake was the ratio 10-12 x my bodyweight, using a basic macro ratio of 40% Protein, 30% Carbohydrates, 30% Fat. I think it is GREAT for the beginner with the goal of fat loss.

Things are MUCH different for me now... Currently, I’m up at 4:30 a.m., at the gym an hour later for weights, then PWO cardio which usually consist of sprints (I cannot WAIT until I can do these outside because the treadmill I use does not go any faster than 12 mph!) My workout varies, my split combinations are endless & my workouts intense. At first glance I’ve often been accused of over training but that is completely subjective, & I am on a constant mission to find things that work for me. I’ll take the criticism & I\'ll work harder.

GS: What\'s your body fat at?
Right now? LOL, I don’t wanna know! Nah, I don’t care. I just got done with my 16 week hiatus/refeed/bulk and I just started to cut to see exactly what I look like under here.

Some previous numbers are as follows:
Pre Cancer: No idea, I ran at least a hour a day, did a lot of ab work, ate whatever I felt like, drank, had a social life. Maybe I weighed 135 lbs.
Post Cancer: Fat 190 lbs., BF unknown.
Dec 04:28 % BF
Jan 05:26 % BF and I weighed 171 lbs (I got my water weight off by doing cardio.)
April 05:Photo shoot I was 11-12% BF, weighed 138 lbs [I’ll never see this again without removing a limb or surgically excising muscle!
August 05: 155 lbs 9.8% BF

As for Feb. 28th 06 I weighed 181. You can come to my thread or click the pics in my signature for more progress photos.

I learned to only use these numbers as data points for tracking and progress purposes only. Unless I am getting my bodyfat tested via hydrostatic weighing, those numbers & scale weight can be more deceiving than helpful. In addition to those methods, I go by how I feel, tape measurements, the MIRROR & progress photos.

GS: Ever plan on competing?
Mandi: Maybe some day.. I am not in the right mind set for competing at this point in my life. I would like to obtain that level of first hand knowledge & experience to help other people in their quest to compete, sure, but hearing all the ‘politics’ that go along with the competition circuit really discourages me. I admire, respect & support those that do.

GS: Tell us about your diet?
Mandi: Well up until a few weeks ago it was fan-friggin-tastic! My bulking phase was one of pleasure and substance! My base diet, the one I use as my data point to judge all others, is the basic 40% Protein, 30% Carbohydrates, 30% Fat. The only meat I eat is chicken and the occasional Steak (preferably Blue Cheese Crusted Filet that is my "cheat meal" when I\'m cutting). I’ve learned I have NO tolerance for All Natural Peanut Butter on my cutting diet, so I will happily hurl that off my balcony into the lake below (Got any scuba gear handy?)
Since my diet can vary, how bout what I ate today?

Meal # 1: Pre Workout Shake
• 2 scoops ISO AGB Protein powder
• 8.5 oz Fierce Gatorade (red one)

Meal # 2: Post Workout Shake
• 2 scoops ISO AGB
• 8.5 oz Fierce Gatorade (red one)

Meal # 3 & 4:Sometimes I cook chicken in or add Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Brown Rice or Small Sweet Potato
• 6-7 oz Chicken Breast (cooked from fresh in Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Garlic & Fat Free Olive Oil Spray)
• 1-2 Cups Green Veggie (Broccoli or Green Beans)

Meal # 5: Sometimes I may leave out complex carb
• Brown Rice or Small Sweet Potato
• 6-7 oz Chicken Breast (cooked from fresh in Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil Garlic & Fat Free Olive Oil Spray)
• 1 tbsp. EVOO
• 1-2 Cups Green Veggie (Broccoli or Green Beans)

Meal # 6:Generally try to keep this as Protein + Fat
• 2 oz Raw Almonds

At least 2 gallons of water minimum

Try to keep cals around 1800 – 2100

You spend hours in the gym enduring the most intense workouts. You count every calorie and calculate the perfect ratio of carbs, protein, and fat to fuel and rebuild your body. You read every magazine, book, and discussion board posting you can get your hands on. And when your natural potential is reached and you\'re ready to take the next step, you find yourself up against a brick wall of laws and opposition from people without a clue as to your dedication to perfection. The same ones who condone such drugs as alcohol and tobacco leave you with few options. Avoiding fake steroids and arrests, athletes with knowledge will persevere and reach their goals. But with the world-wide crackdown on the use of performance enhancing drugs, it\'s increasingly difficult for you to obtain legitimate gear. And the pressure from governments on manufacturers to stop producing anabolics is at an all time high. Unless you’re able to get a prescription from an understanding doctor, you must explore alternative methods to obtain juice.

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GS: Tell us about your cycles?
Mandi: I cycle my fat burners sometimes 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. I can’t use AAS. Many people know this already but just to highlight it here, those with a history of cancer are at the highest risk of those using AS. From what I’ve learned (and I still have MUCH TO LEARN), this is basic Steroids 101. If you have any history of cancer then steroids are not for you.

GS: What kind of gains have you seen since you found Elite?
Mandi: I rediscovered my self-confidence, my love for helping inspire & motivate others & a whole lotta muscle! I gained quite a bit of respect, not to mention some nice glutes for myself with Plyo work, sprints & running toboggan slides/stairs.

My lat growth is fantastic. I love seeing the ‘fingers’ in my shoulders while training, and get excited when I see some veins peek out and say hello as well.

GS: Tell us about your supplementation?
Mandi: In order of Importance, #1 DIET # 2 Training # 3 Supplements. Here is a list of what I have used in the past with an example of how I’d use each. Not always at the same time, adjusted as needed for my goal at the time.

Daily Multi Vitamin - Daily
Digestive Enzyme – With meals
Cardio Breeze – 2 caps prior to AM Cardio / Workout
Yohimburn ES – Applied full body & face about 15-20 minutes prior Workout. If I do am/pm split I will apply it twice.
PureCEE – Usually 4 caps Pre- training. I often will take on off days, and may even split the dose pre/post workout if I feel like it
EnerG Glutamine – 1 tbsp with Shake
ISO AGB – 2-3 scoops per shake, usually blended with berries or with Gatorade
Glucorell-R – 1 to 2 caps 15 – 30 prior to each meal
Levorex - 4 caps 3 x a day, usually with meal 1,3,5
Sesapure – 1 to 2 caps 3 x a day
Thermorexin – Usually One Cap Mid Morning to Curb Cravings
Glucosamine & Chondroitin w/ MSM – daily
ALCAR – 2 caps AM 2 caps MIDDAY 2 caps PM
Tyr2 – 2 caps AM 2 caps MIDDAY 2 caps PM
Neurogenex – 2 caps AM 2 caps PM
OxyCalm - 2 Sprays Each side 1-2 X a day

First off I do NOT work for Anafit. Are the hiring? LOL

Some people just aren\'t pill people. I\'ve had much more deadly things in my body than these supps. I have the utmost confidence in Anafit, their clinical research, my docs & myself. DO YOUR RESEARCH. Ask questions, read & ask, read & ask. Have the supplements analyzed by your doctor, or simply don\'t take what you don\'t trust

People need to be sure of the company they buy supplements from because the FDA doesn\'t monitor quality. Product integrity therefore becomes an issue of trust between the manufacturer and the consumer. That\'s why I use the products Anafit sells.

Anything in excess can be \'bad for you\' ... so, choose your \'poison\' and choose it wisely ... and that\'s the rule with anything.

My best advice is do your research, ask about the possible long & short terms side effects. Knowledge is power

GS: Tell us a little about your lifestyle? What do you do? Married? Hobbies? Train with your significant other?
Mandi: Other than the obvious & aforementioned, I played soccer my whole life, was originally Pre-Med, work as an Account Executive for an Insurance Agency (I have lots of bills to pay), used to be quite the pool shark, No longer can handle any form of partying, adore my Boxer Sammy.

GS: Married?
Mandi: No.

GS: Boyfriend?
Mandi: Yes. I was blessed to meet my boyfriend Sept 03, a short few months before I got sick. Imagine dating a girl, 4 months later out of the blue, she gets cancer, decides to shave her head, then gains 50 lbs. I’m sure many guys would have split. He’s still around. Many laughs, great times, endless love & support. Now that’s MY Bunny. I try to train with him when he needs me, our schedules/goals are very different. I’m happy to go back with him in the evening and play ‘trainer’ ... It’s fun!

GS: Is there anything else you would like for the EliteFitness.com community to know?
Mandi: I think this interview (and *ahem* photos) should just about cover it.

And t o the Ladies & Gentlemen of EliteFitness.com who have helped change my life, thank you for your kindness, patience, fortitude and faith. you know who you are. And thank you George for letting me share my story.

GS: I appreciate your time and help with this and I know that there are many members who will be inspired by your story and your progress. Here\'s a link to Mandi\'s training log on EliteFitness.com.
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