And the FBG of 2009 is…
May 19, 2009 by Jenn
In case you missed the whole swimming competition of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, or need a reminder, let me recap how it went down: Michael Phelps ate a bunch of pizza and won a bunch of medals, and the highly accomplished and previously twice-retired Dara Torres inspired a nation of women that life after 40 isn’t just okay, it’s Olympic. At the Beijing Olympics (her fifth), as a 41-year-old mother with an insatiable drive to compete—and win, Dara took home three silver medals.
Ms. Torres recently joined forces with the Got Milk? campaign (see her rockin’ abs in the ad at left) and has written a book, Age is Just a Number: Achieve Your Dreams At Any Stage In Your Life, about her life. After reading her book, and reading about her countless hours in the pool and the gym and her dedication to reaching her dreams and inspiring others to do the same, I had what Oprah would call an “ah-ha moment.” I thought to myself, “We should honor one inspirational woman each year with the title of Fit Bottomed Girl of the Year.” And giving the very first one to Dara was an easy choice for Erin and me. Thankfully, Dara accepted (although very humbly—see below) and did an interview with us.
DT: First of all, it’s one of the coolest campaigns out there, and, second, I drink milk for recovery after I train, so it was a natural fit. I am at the age where my body needs calcium for my bones, and I have a 3-year-old who drinks milk every day, too.
FBG: When you’re competing or in a tough part of a workout, how did you push through what you think you can do? How do you differentiate between real pain and just mental fatigue?
DT: I just listen to my body. There are times it’s tough to push through pain, but I remember what my end goal is, and your body will let you know how much to do and not to do. You should be able to feel and know your pain threshold.
FBG: Many of our readers are inspired by you and your accomplishments. Who inspires you? Who are you in awe of?
DT: My parents have always been an inspiration to me, and a lot of my inspiration also comes from within. You can’t just try to work to have inspiration; either you have it or you don’t.
FBG: You didn’t participate in the 1996 and 2004 Olympics. At what point after that did you think, “I can do this…I can whoop these 20-year-old girls’ butts” and get back into training?
DT: People make such a big deal about my age, but I don’t compare myself to what they can do. I just do what I can.
FBG: How do your off-season workouts compare to your in-season workouts?
DT: I don’t have an off season.
FBG: Given the fact that you spend so much time training for swimming, what other key exercises do you practice to balance the swimming?
DT: I do a lot of stretching after I train for recovery. I also do weight-room exercises, which are not about what’s heavier; it’s more about being efficient. I also use a Swiss balance ball, exercise bands and do a lot of core exercises.
FBG: What about your diet? What is it like in the off season and in season? (Feel free to elaborate on your thoughts on Michael Phelps’ well-publicized eat-a-thons.)
DT: I think Michael’s diet was too well publicized; he doesn’t really eat 12,000 calories a day. I don’t have an off-season diet. I eat what I want to eat. I do choose organic foods, take amino acids to build muscle, drink milk for recovery, and I don’t deprive myself of foods.
FBG: When you’re not swimming, what do you do for fun (both in terms of exercise and just plain non-gym fun)?
DT: I love hanging out with my daughter and chasing her in the park.
FBG: Now that you’ve conquered swimming, what’s your next goal? Are you training for anything? Will we see you in the next Olympics?
DT: I am training for the World Championships in Rome in the beginning of June. Once those are over I will decide what I want to do next.
FBG: If you could give one piece of advice when it comes to getting and staying fit, what would it be?
DT: Stay with it! It’s the initial starting to exercise that is important, and when people start and see results, they stick with it. You have to be motivated enough to start.
FBG: We’re doing this new thing for our one-year birthday, and we’d like to offer you the title of “2009 Fit Bottomed Girl of the Year.” Would you accept? We have a special performance tee to give you…
DT: Have you seen my bottom? Ha, but yes, I will accept.
The woman has no off-season workout or diet! She’s sane, dedicated and freakin’ awesome. We can’t wait to see how our first FBG of the Year recipient does in Rome! Thank you, Dara! —Jenn
And, for those of you who want more Dara (who wouldn’t?!), we’re giving away a free copy of her book! If you live in the U.S., comment below or email us at contact@fitbottomedgirls.com by May 29 with why you’d like to win (put Dara in the subject line if you’re emailing, pretty please!). We’ll announce the winner on June 1 with the rest of the One-Year Celebration winners!
Want a shirt like Dara’s? Buy yours today in the FBG Wear store!
great interview!! her body is “sick”!! i’ll now be off to do some extra crunches.. lol
I seriously have a girl crush on her. She’s a gorgeous woman, mom and has a killer body. I think I cried when she was swimming in the olympics, and the friendship she showed to her fellow swimmers was awesome.
What’s not to find inspirational about Dara? 41 yrs old with a rocking body. Kicked butt in the Olympics, proving that age really is just a number. She’s shown that hard work and determination can push you toward any goal.I’d love to read her story and have some of that amazing inspiration rub off on me!
She is friggin amazing!!!! I stay in my shape all year round but it will NEVER compare to Dara. I do go by her "age is just a number". At 51 and 1/2, I work out as hard as people 25 years younger than me so man, would I love to read about her & get a glimpse into her training for sure. She is my idol!!! What a women!
Wow, that is AWESOME that you got to interview such an inspiring woman! I can’t wait to see what she does next because she is such a great role model for women!!
Dara Rocks. ‘Nuf said.
She is awesome! Those abs!! If I had those abs I would never leave the house in more than a bikini top!
I have the August 4 issue of Time with Dara on the cover on my desk, next to my computer. She is just an amazing athlete and seems like a down-to-earth person, too. I loved reading your interview!
Great Interview FBG! Dara’s such a great role model for women!
I have such a crush on her. She is amazing and such an inspiration to everyone.
VERY COOL! I love her and look up to her very much so!
Great blog ladies! Just found it thanks to the Fresh Fitness Tips blog on Self.com.
http://healthyfitmama.wordpress.com
She is just a great inspiration to all well and she gives me hope that I will turn my body around.
WOW!! I saw her in More magazine and I think she is great would love to have her book!
It would be awesome to have a book by this Dara. I admire her greatly. It’s refreshing to see a woman in her 40s make such a “splash” (sorry) in our youth dominated culture.
Dara is my hero. I hope to see her in the next Olympics. And the next!
I heart Dara Torres! She is my inspiration. I only wish that my body looked that good at my 31 years, let alone her 40!
I love Dara!
I would love to have Dana’s book! She is amazing and such a cool role model for the over 40 crowd.
wii.doggie@yahoo.com
love, love, love darra jones, I hope thru exercise I can still be fit at her age! Rock on darra. Thankz FBG’S
I would LOVE to read her book.
she has motivated me to get in better shape in my 30′s than my 20′s. I am getting back to the pool!
This would be so cool to read. I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years (before I switched to ballet) and I’ve always thought that swimmers have a great outlook on exercise and life in general. Plenty of time to think when you’re staring down at that black line 4 hours a day.
Dara Torres is spectacular… I would love to read her book. She is totally a motivation and inspiration!
She is an amazing women and I would love to read more.
Wow
luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net
Thank you for a great interview. She is amazing. Her body shows what some of us can look like if we make exercise part of our daily routine. My mouth drops every time I see her body. She really does work her body like a machine…wow. I have a feeling her book would be very inspirational. I could use a little inspiration!
Thanks. This would be a great book to read for extra motivation!
I would love to win because she was such an inspiration in the Olympics. Seriously, I almost cried watching her (I think I actually did, to tell you the truth). I just saw her Got Milk? ad the other day and drooled a little over her ripped shoulders!!
Dara is such an inspiration! I’d love to win a copy
I am so awed by Dara! I loved watching her in the Olympics, as I swim too. Not that fast though!
At age 52, I’d love to read her story, because I know it would inspire me to new achievements.
She is an amazing woman! I sure wish I looked like that. Of course, don’t think the chicken fried steaks I eat on occasion help any.
Ok, so I'm a bit late posting why I would like to read more about Dara Torres, but that's only because I just now saw this FB ad to read the article!
Dara is by far the most incredible female athlete we have seen in a long time. Swimming her way to 5 Olympics is an incredible feat. I am currently getting back into running and do need some inspiration to get back to a rock solid body like hers. It's hard work–let's not be fooled!
Gah she's such an inspiration!! Not only to 40+ but to anyone who thinks their athletic career has to stop prematurely! I loved the interview and I love her body. Where can I order one of those??