Interview by way of Ron Harris

As the best Bikini competitor on the earth, I believe it’s time other folks discovered extra about you. I
know you have been born within the Philippines. Had been you athletic as a child rising up?

I used to be very athletic. I attended a personal fundamental college named Dominican Faculty, and I swam
competitively there. Slightly later I were given into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and gymnastics once I moved to Norway at age
13. My folks by no means needed to pressure me into doing sports activities and being energetic. I used to be at all times asking them to do
the ones issues.

When did you progress to the United States?
It’s been 3 years now, for the reason that 2019 Olympia.

Taking a look at you, I wager it’s good to cross for 19 or 20, however how previous are you?

Thank you, I simply became 30 at two weeks out from the Bikini World bobbing up.

How did you move from having finished the ones different sports activities to weight coaching after which Bikini
pageant?
I at all times beloved competing and acting. I typically name it “acting” as a substitute of competing. Swimming
was once a person recreation. If I sought after to win, all of it relied on me. I by no means preferred relying on a workforce. If we
misplaced on account of them, I’d get very pissed off. After I moved to Norway, all my pals went into
gymnastics and cheerleading. I assumed, I will be able to do that out. Cheerleading was once positive till one time we fell
right through a stunt, and it wasn’t my fault. I mentioned, I believe I paintings higher by myself. I began lifting weights at age 18.
That’s across the time you need to appear and feel excellent, hanging on make-up. I used to be doing health coaching
anyway, so I began to search for one thing I may do competitively that have compatibility that. I had at all times sought after to
compete in good looks pageants, however at 5 toes tall I used to be too quick. Then I noticed the Bikini Olympia on YouTube,
and the lady who caught out to me probably the most was once India Paulino. She was once my first idol! I assumed it appeared
so cool. The ladies appeared wonderful, and this was once the nearest factor to a good looks competition I may do. I
concept I may simply move compete within the Olympia. I had no concept you must flip professional first, then qualify, the
complete lengthy procedure. However in my head, I handiest had one purpose, to visit the Olympia.

Did you get started competing in the neighborhood in Norway?
It’s very other in Europe. You need to do the regional stage first prior to you’ll be able to move to the Nationals.
Then you’ll be able to compete outdoor the rustic. There have been no professional playing cards in Norway again then. I went to San
Marino, Italy to get my professional card in 2015. There have been seven peak categories. You wish to have to win your elegance
and the Total to get a professional card, which I did. I nonetheless didn’t in reality know what that intended on the time.

I don’t assume I knew who you have been till you probably did make it to the Olympia for the primary time in 2019,
even though now I do consider you successful the Tampa Professional that summer time.
That was once a difficult 12 months. In most cases, I by no means do greater than 3 presentations in a 12 months as it’s arduous to get well.
My frame wasn’t responding by way of the Olympia, my fourth display of that 12 months. I do know my limits.

What made making a decision to transport to the United States 3 years in the past?
I met my spouse, Fran, on the Meet and Greet on the 2019 Olympia Weekend. We were given alongside really well, and
quickly he requested me to transport in with him in Los Angeles. 3 years later, I’m nonetheless right here!

And also you educate at Gold’s Fitness center Venice. It will not be what it was, however to me it’s nonetheless The
Mecca.

Sure. Other people nonetheless come there from all over the place. Despite the fact that there aren’t as many execs coaching there as there
was, the spirit remains to be there. They nonetheless have all of the champion’s photos up at the wall, and all of the
nice apparatus. It’s nonetheless The Mecca.

You skipped the Olympia in 2020, the worst 12 months of the pandemic.
Sure. I used to be prepping for 2 presentations main as much as that, and each were given canceled when I used to be simply two weeks
out from the primary. I didn’t need to sabotage my frame when there was once no approach to even know if the presentations
would occur. I made up our minds to transport into an “growth season” and are available again more potent for 2021.

And also you have been. Leaping forward on your Olympia win in 2022, for your victory speech you mentioned you
felt you possibly can win however didn’t assume it will be that quickly. I wasn’t too stunned, since you had
been transferring in an upward trajectory. However guy, that was once a large lineup. Was once it 60 girls within the 2022
Bikini Olympia?

It was once 54, which was once a report for the Olympia. When I used to be behind the curtain ready to be presented, it felt like
it was once unending, such a lot of girls! I simply felt everybody had their favorites, and everybody had their
predictions, and I used to be nonetheless one of the most more moderen athletes. I’ve very reasonable expectancies about myself.
After I positioned fourth in 2021, that was once already like successful as a result of I had positioned 9th the 12 months prior to. I
was once so satisfied. My purpose for 2022 was once 3rd position, the tip 3. Once they referred to as Ashley Kaltwasser in
3rd and it was once simply me and Jennifer Dorie, I used to be like, whoa, perhaps I’ve an opportunity!

That is an extraordinary query to invite an athlete fairly than a pass judgement on, however how do you assume you pulled off
the win? To me, it was once so shut between you and Jennifer that it would have long gone both method.

In truth, I don’t know. I don’t take a look at the opposite girls up there, and it’s now not intentional. I will be able to move take a look at
photos and movies in a while in my lodge room. I know I got here in higher than ever, and I believe the
judges realize growth. I appeared method other from the 2021 Olympia. And I used to be so relax when I were given to
the degree. I used to be like, I were given this.

What do you characteristic the enhancements to? Was once it a brand new trainer, a brand new coaching or vitamin
program?
I’ve at all times appeared excellent, however we by no means in reality nailed the height week and had the fullness I sought after to turn
till this remaining Olympia. I did get started operating with a brand new trainer, too, Francisco Espin from Spain. I’m the one
Bikini competitor he coaches. I glance to look which coaches carry their athletes in with in reality nice
situation. After I noticed what he did with my spouse, I used to be very inspired and excited by that manner.
Why now not check out operating with him? I had not anything to lose. I’d been coming in flat each time anyway. It labored
out beautiful neatly!

The Bikini World is simply 10 weeks after the Olympia. Did you realize you sought after to do
it prior to you received the Olympia?

I’d at all times sought after to do the Bikini World at the side of the Olympia, and I positioned 2nd to Lauralie
Chapados the primary time I competed there in 2022. That felt like successful. I already signed the contract to
compete within the 2023 Bikini World prior to the Olympia. Ten weeks is without delay a very long time and a brief
time between contests. However I used to be already lean, why now not attempt to get that identify too? Then I may have the 2
largest titles within the recreation!

I guess you have been already prepping 16 weeks for the Olympia.
I began prepping for the Olympia proper after the Boston Professional in March, in order that was once seven months. It was once a
very relax prep as a result of I used to be consuming blank, however I used to be consuming greater than ever in a prep. I used to be nonetheless food plan,
nevertheless it was once extra energy, and I did have one cheat meal per week. Now I see that is the most efficient manner for
me: an extended prep however with extra meals.

How a lot does your weight range from low season to contest day?
I’m round 109-110 kilos onstage, and I don’t get a lot heavier than 115.

I guess you’ve gotten by no means been a lot heavier than that?
I did check out bulking as soon as. My customary low season weight is 53kg/116, and that point I were given as much as 65kg/143
kilos. I used to be consuming six foods an afternoon with meat and rice, 100 grams of fries, simply looking to bulk like a
bodybuilder and achieve some muscle. I couldn’t breathe! I used to be getting out of breath simply going upstairs. It
was once method an excessive amount of weight for my body.

You’ve by no means been on this place prior to because the reigning Olympia champion. Do you’re feeling extra
force than ever to win now?
I’ve been getting this query so much. I’ve a special mindset than maximum. My purpose was once to win the Olympia.
Now that I’ve finished that, I nonetheless hustle the similar, however I will benefit from the procedure extra.

The large information with you is that you’re now a MuscleTech athlete. You’re too younger to keep in mind,
however they used to have actually each peak athlete beneath contract, and now it looks as if they’re
returning to their roots. How did you develop into a part of the workforce?
It wasn’t deliberate in any respect. It was once a “Blessing” in conceal. I used to be coaching at Gold’s, and I occur to be a excellent
pal of Blessing Awodibu. We have been each operating for a similar complement corporate in Europe in 2015.
We went to Shanghai in combination for them, Barcelona, all over the place. Blessing was once out representing MuscleTech
on the LA Have compatibility Expo. I went to that and met Scott Welch, and all of us hooked up really well. Now I’m a
MuscleTech athlete!

I’m simply curious, did you move proper again onto your vitamin after the Olympia, or did you calm down for a minimum of
a couple of days?
I did move on holiday to Hawaii with my spouse the week after the Olympia. That was once on my bucket listing. I
did aerobic each day, however I took 5 days off from weights. I had a few treats, however not anything loopy.

Thanks such a lot for the interview! Belated congratulations to your Olympia win and I want you
the perfect of good fortune in Columbus.
Thank you such a lot!

POSTSCRIPT:
“From time to time we win, occasionally we lose. That’s a part of the sport. All I will do is stay operating arduous and
display up with poise and satisfaction.”
In any case, Maureen was once narrowly defeated by way of a margin of simply two issues to protecting Bikini World
champion Lauralie Chapados, precisely how it had became out a 12 months prior to in Columbus. She posted
this day after today:

“In fact, the purpose was once to win the identify, however 2nd position is superb too! Our purpose was once to return in a little bit
tighter than my Olympia form and we indubitably completed that. I do know I did the entirety I may, and the
leisure is as much as the judges. From time to time we win, occasionally we lose. That’s a part of the sport. All I will do is
stay operating arduous and display up with poise and satisfaction. Massive congratulations to all my girls this
weekend!”

Instagram @maureenblanquisco.professional

Contest Highlights
2016 Olympia Newbie San Marino – Winner – Earned Professional Card
2018 Alicante Professional – Winner
2018 Dennis James Vintage Germany – Winner
2019 Miami Muscle Professional – Winner
2019 Tampa Professional – Winner
2019 Bikini Olympia – 9th Position
2021 Chicago Professional – 2nd Position
2021 Janet Layug’s Fight of the Our bodies – Winner
2021 Bikini Olympia – Fourth Position
2022 Bikini World – 2nd Position
2022 Boston Professional – Winner
2022 Bikini Olympia – Winner
2023 Bikini World – 2nd Position

2022 Bikini Olympia champion Maureen Blanquisco is the top-ranked Bikini professional on the earth, with six professional
wins together with the Boston Professional in 2022 and the Tampa Professional in 2019. Some other occupation spotlight for Maureen
was once this 12 months when she joined the workforce of MuscleTech ® athletes, and Maureen lately shared with MD
the MuscleTech ® merchandise she makes use of to lend a hand care for her successful shape.

CLEAR MUSCLE ®

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Toughen Power. Much less muscle breakdown manner preserving directly to extra of your features, so you’ll be able to hit
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Boost up Restoration. Construct at the restoration advantages of conventional amino acids by way of expanding protein
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AMINO BUILD ®

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4 Grams of Leucine. Proven in a analysis learn about (carried out by way of a number one global college) to lend a hand
topics build up their 5-rep max power by way of 40%.
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1 Gram of Taurine. An very important amino acid proven to fortify functionality in staying power athletes.
NITRO TECH 100% WHEY GOLD comprises 24 grams of natural protein for enhanced lean muscle, power,
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5.4 Grams of BCAAs. The construction blocks to enhance speedy restoration. With BCAAs as your basis,
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4 Grams of Glutamine and Precursor. Glutamine is probably the most ample, conditionally very important amino
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EuphorIQ TM PRE-WORKOUT

the arena’s first good pre-workout fueled by way of enfinity® , is Maureen’s selection
for a less-jittery power spice up. The original mix of elements together with paraxanthine, taurine and
huperzine-A supplies sustained and clean power that helps to keep Maureen centered and alert with out the
crashes.
300mg enfinity ® (paraxanthine). Paraxanthine is a metabolite of caffeine and brings some great benefits of
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300mg ALPHASIZE ®. A singular supply of choline, a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
1.6g NOOLVL ® clinically proven to enhance positive facets of accuracy and resolution making.
100mg NEUROFACTOR ® This patented espresso fruit extract is proven to noticeably build up ranges of akey neuroprotein.

Burn iQ TM

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30mg AXIVITE™ to really feel the warmth from phenylcapsaicin, a by-product of capsaicin this is an energetic
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Burn iQ TM  must be fed on roughly half-hour prior to a exercise or half-hour prior to a meal,
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For more info, seek advice from muscletech.com

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