Get to know Cynthia Monteleone – Team USA World Champion

Get to know the ATP Lab supplement brand and the athletes who represent our lifestyle through our new exclusive interviews.

ABOUT THE ATHLETE

Cynthia Monteleone is a Team USA Masters athlete. She is a national and world champion along with being a mother of three! USA National Sprint champion on 400m and 200m.

Question 1

WHAT IS THE ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU BEST?

Cynthia: This one is hard because I am so many different things: athlete, mom, wife, entrepreneur... So, I took a poll on Facebook! I received so many great positive responses, but my favorite was “tenacity”.

Question 2

What is your top-3 favorite ATP Lab supplement products?

Cynthia: Glutamed, Total Defense and E-nos.

Question 3

When did you start your career as an elite athlete?

Cynthia: I ran Track in college, but I hung up my spikes for 20 years. I renewed with competition at age 40! I am now almost 43!
Question 4

If you could choose another career or sport what would it be?

Cynthia: Nothing! I’m a Track girl for life!
Question 5

What or who made you want to pursue an active and healthy lifestyle?

Cynthia: My daughter, who is now 13, inspired me to start running again. My nutrition and supplement choices/inspiration came from my mentor, Charles Poliquin.
Question 6

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT FLAVOURS, WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?

Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry or Salted Caramel?

Cynthia: Chocolate all the way! I really enjoy creating recipes using the NZ Whey!

Question 7

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE USE OF ILLEGAL OR UNCONTROLLED DRUGS IN CERTAIN SPORTS SUCH AS THE FITNESS WORLD?

Cynthia: We need rules to define the boundaries of our athletic competitions. Athletes should adhere to the rules or be banned. It’s shameful to cheat using illegal drugs. How could one even be proud of their accomplishments if they don’t respect the rules of the competition?
Question 8

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Cynthia: Part of a champion mindset is to accept ourselves exactly as we are. We have no regrets because we always choose to give our best!

Question 9

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS HERO?

Cynthia: Charles Poliquin and the surfer Bethany Hamilton. I am lucky that I got to spend time with both. Charles taught me so much that led me to be a champion. Bethany is inspiring and an animal in the water. We share the same “tenacity”. I adore her!

Question 10

WHAT IS THE BEST PART ABOUT COMPETING?

Cynthia: The best part about competing is that I have already put all the hard work in training and the race is easy. I feel relaxed and confident when competing.

Question 11

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG TO LISTEN TO PRIOR TO COMPETING?

Cynthia: I tend to choose aggressive songs when driving to competitions. “Mama said knock you out” is a good example... My favorite relaxing, confidence vibes would be: A Tribe Called Quest. Once at the venue, I never listen to music because I want to be physically adapted to the sights and sounds of the stadium. Charles thought that we should not train while listening to music because then we are not truly focused. He used to say: “They don’t play your favorite song during your race, do they?” So, I don’t train to music. I like to focus on getting stronger.

Question 12

IF YOU HAD SUPER POWERS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERHERO NAME BE?

Cynthia: My 6-year-old called me Wonder Woman last year and it stuck! I often run in WW type outfits. My favorite superpower would be running fast! Oh wait, I already have that... we all can be superheroes if we give our best!

Question 13

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE OR FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL?

Cynthia: That’s tough to answer because ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I am very strict with what I eat. For example: if I eat anything sweet, it will still be Paleo and low sugar. I do enjoy a dirty martini once a month when not in competition!

Question 14

We love your natural look and notice that you often wear beautiful flowers in your hair. Do you have a favorite flower among the variety that nature offers?

Cynthia: I love the hibiscus because it grows abundantly here on Maui and it symbolizes beauty and love.

Question 15

Do you believe that women are well represented in the sports and fitness industries?

Cynthia: I think it varies by sport.

Question 16

What is the most memorable moment of your world championship win?

Cynthia: Being surrounded by my Team USA teammates! I have the best team!

Question 17

Does being a mother of three changed the way you practice your sport?

Cynthia: Not at all, I can spend all my day time training and I have no other stress or obligations. Oh, sorry, that was my college years! Haha...YES! For one thing, it is physically more challenging to run after naturally giving birth to three children! The older we get the more challenging it is to maintain strength. I’m am so grateful to ATP Lab for helping with this! It takes a lot of efforts to make sure my schedule is on point. My hubby is so supportive, and I couldn’t do it without him. I home school my three kids. I am strict about preparing my meals and getting my sleep. I always get 10 hours of solid sleep because my morning running coach gives me the hardest workouts of my life and I need to be prepared. That means I must have the kids all fed, bathed and in bed as well! It’s not easy but, I get it done and the supplements absolutely help!

Question 18

Does living on an island influence your health choices and lifestyle in any way?

Cynthia: I am lucky that I get to train all year round and spend my recovery time at the beach.

Question 19

What do you like most about Hawaii and do you have secret destinations to recommend to tourists who would like to visit the island?

Cynthia: I love the history and culture and I feel immensely honored to be able to live here. It is a special place, especially Maui. Maui is spiritual and is often described as a place of healing. It’s a small island so there aren’t many secret places to recommend, it’s all wonderful, but I love Iao Valley and Kahakuloa.

Question 20

WHY ATP LAB?

Cynthia: I appreciate the quality of ATP Lab’s products. I have tried many others in the past and they just don’t even come close! I am also grateful that my supplements are Informed-Choice Approved. The last thing I need is to worry about contaminated products! I train too hard to place my trust in anything else but ATP.

Question 21

What advice would you give to fans who seek a healthy lifestyle?

Cynthia: My advice would be to just take one step. Sometimes, it takes just one supplement to make you feel better, like fish oil for instance. Sometimes, it just takes one step of exercising to get going. We all start somewhere. If you just choose to give your best to yourself, you will always have a healthy lifestyle!
Let us know in the comment section if you have a special question for one of our athletes?