Barely Legal Legs
1999 Fitness Olympia champ Mary Yockey confesses her secrets to developing shapely legs and glutes.
Originally featured in:
Muscle & Fitness Hers Spring, 2000
This blond dynamo came seemingly out of thin air and captured the hearts of judges and the public alike when she won her first pro fitness contest in July 1998. Not too shabby for a real-estate agent who decided to follow her dream and began making her way up through the competition ranks just a year earlier. Now, further stepping up her "Q" factor, Mary Yockey has become the sweetheart of fitness after a spectacular performance - and a well-deserved win - at the Fitness Olympia contest held in October, 1999 in Las Vegas.
Clearly poised to become an industry icon, Mary exceeded standards previously set by fitness greats like Carol Semple-Marzetta and Monica Brant with her inimitable physique and gravity-defying performance routine. What she brought to the stage that memorable night served as an indication of the direction fitness is headed. The message is clear: Bigger isn't always better, and hardness and depletion don't have to rival that of competitive bodybuilders. And that makes Mary very happy indeed.
"The way I came in is what I perceive fitness to be. It seems that before, [the judges] wanted us to be more muscular, and that's the way women's bodybuilding went. I've always said I'd come into a competition the way I feel comfortable. I'm very happy the judges are keeping fitness where it needs to be."
Somewhat of a paradox, at first glance Mary appears to be, well, sort of like the girl next door. Yet a closer look showcases her dazzling smile, bright eyes and a body from Venus - the kind of looks that demand attention. Perhaps she's even the type of woman other women love to hate. But when you talk to her, the minute she speaks, you realize that you can't do anything but like her. Genuine and down to earth, Mary's open to discussion on topics that range from her spirituality to who she thought was her toughest competition that night in Las Vegas.
She's got it, yeah, baby she's got it
I first walked in on Mary as she was sitting quietly in the makeup chair at the gym (in preparation for the accompanying photos). I barely recognized her: Her hair was straight - not the delicate mass of curls she used to wear - her face freshly scrubbed, and she seemed so diminutive under her sweat jacket. But 45 minutes later, when she stepped into the natural light of the weight room sans warm-up suit, the aura that surrounded her was electrifying. "I'm not in contest shape," she had warned me. "I guess I'm okay for the average Joe."
One look and I wonder what planet she's from; her physique reveals no flaws. She did say that she stays very close to competition shape year-round and has worked hard this year to bring up what she considers her weak points. "The biggest changes I made were in my legs and glutes, which I trained to make fuller and rounder. Since my upper body is pretty well-built from all those years of gymnastics, I focused on catching up my lower body to my upper body. I also trained my back to get more sculpted. I actually came in a little lighter this time around. I didn't score as well in the physique round last year, so this year, my goal was to come in more proportioned and symmetrical. I wanted to avoid that look of being overdepleted and overdieted."
No stranger to big muscles, Mary admits to having dreamed about becoming a pro bodybuilder one day. "When I was little, I'd watch Cory Everson compete on television. I'd get up in the middle of the living room and start posing." But others noticed her naturally muscular body. "People would comment on my little muscles back then, which developed from my gymnastics."
Mary did, in fact, compete in bodybuilding, winning the Aloha Classic in the mid-'90s, but soon realized fitness was a better goal for her. "After I saw Mia Finnegan [the first Fitness Olympia winner in 1995], all I wanted to do was compete in fitness. I guess the biggest reason was because I had the gymnastics background, but the look is more appealing to me as well. Another big reason is that I enjoy performing. With fitness, you can put more into your routine and play to the audience."
Making dreams come true
Eager to do well and determined to succeed, Mary follows her heart, her passions. She credits her mom, who passed away three years ago, for encouraging her to take chances and enjoy life. "I just take one day at a time and every experience for what it's worth. Life is an adventure, and you just have to live it. Don't take anything for granted, because you never know."
At the age of 27, Mary admits to being proud of how much she has accomplished in her life already. "My first fitness show was in '97, and I won my first pro show the next year. It just demonstrates how sometimes you have to follow your heart. I know there will come a time to move on, but I'll feel it when I get there. This is where I'm supposed to be right now."
So what would she be doing if she weren't a pro fitness competitor? "I'd be bored," she says with a laugh. "Seriously, I'd either be in real estate or have a family and stay home and do the mom thing. I've always been active, so it's a lifestyle. Still, I'd train every day."
A typical day in the life of Mary Yockey holds no great surprises. "I get up around 7 and do chores," she says. "It gets the blood flowing; a little gardening, maybe." After that, she heads to the gym for her intense training. She then works a while in the early afternoon and returns to the gym to do cardio or practice her routine, usually not for less than two hours. But how she unwinds may indeed surprise you. "My boyfriend Ed and I ride the Harley," she says with a grin. "It's the greatest thing. We just love it! I've got the leather, I've got the chaps. We simply forget about everything and just ride."
What goes around comes around
True to herself, Mary has found happiness and fulfillment in competing, but the best part of her "job," she says, is offering support to those just getting started. "I really enjoy watching the amateurs, and it's very flattering how they look up to the pros. Sometimes they'll use part of a routine I did or wear outfits similar to what I've worn. I get such a kick out of it. But my favorite thing to do is to go backstage and talk to the girls. I like to hear about their goals, training programs and aspirations. It's great to be where I am and still be in touch with the amateurs."
Mary encourages those who strive to discover their talents. She stresses the importance of using what God has given each of us to the best of our abilities. When asked about her religious beliefs, she replies softly: "I'm spiritual in my own way. It's not important to me to claim one religion or faith; I tend to lead my life by example. We're here to live, learn and help each other."
Back to the future
Even before she could leave the Olympia stage that night in the desert city of high rollers and big dreams, someone mentioned the fact that no winner had ever returned to the competition to win a second time. Confronted with this reality, Mary makes an interesting and honest observation. "I think the reason no one has been able to repeat a win is because the sport is still developing. The judges are still trying to determine what the best look is," she explains. "We were on an upswing where the competitors kept putting on more and more size as the years went by. Now, I think it might be coming back this way a little bit. I just happened to hit it just right."
I couldn't conclude the conversation without asking the inevitable question: Will she return nonetheless? "You know when you have a baby and your family and friends come to visit you, and they all ask you the next day if you're going to have another one?" she asked right back. "You're just trying to adjust to the changes. Well, that's kind of how I feel right now. I don't know where I'll be in a year, but like I've said before, I'm always up for a good challenge. When I compete, I do my best and I do it to win. So if I feel like I can go in at my best next year, I will."
