The Walworthians: Potter, Monica Gleason

The Walworthians: Potter, Monica Gleason

A collection of telephone interviews published in the Wayne County STAR Newspaper and Wayne County MAIL Newspaper, 1994-209

by Kate Chamberlin

Monica Gleason-Potter

November 23, 1995

Who won the American Gladiator show when it came to Rochester in April, 1992?

I’ll give you a clue.

She also won the North American National Natural Physique Championship, October, 8, 1995.

The answer is Monica Gleason-Potter. Her Gladiator name was Mighty Monica.

I went through my 45-minute workout while she gave me pointers and suggestions. After I’d collapsed hot and “glowing into a chair, she spritely said, “Nice warm-up!”

“Right,” is what I would have said if I’d had any extra breath.

It was my first time working-out and, well, I’m a little out of shape. She, on the other hand, is in great shape.

Monica started working out in 1991 as a way of living a healthier life style.

“It’s a great way to get in shape, too,” she said.

Her husband, Jack, was already into body building and became her trainer. They work out together at the Fairport Fitness Center (7451 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Fairport, NY, 14450. Phone: 716-425-7418)

Monica also works there part-time helping members of the Center to attain their personal fitness goals. Her services as a personal trainer are included in the membership fee.

Each year the Fairport Fitness Center holds the New York State Natural Physical Competition.

“It is a mandatory drug tested event,” Monica said. “It is great to compete against others who are not on anything artificial to pump them up.”

The owner of the Fairport Fitness Center and President of the United States Body Building Association is Jim Valvano.

“Jim Valvano deserves a lot of the credit,” Monica said. “He is a power lifter and body builder himself and has given me a lot of pointers. Jim is responsible for bringing the annual State shows to our area.”

Monica works out 6 days a week for about an hour and a half. While a healthy diet is important all year around,     12 weeks before a competition she gets really serious. Her diet becomes chicken, turkey, fish, veggies and fruits. No sweets, starchy carbohydrates or dairy products.

“There is definitely no pizza,” she sighed. “I am 5′ 1″ and I want my competition weight to be about 106 pounds.”

Monica is really happy to see that school coaches are encouraging weight training. “It is a great way to reduce the chance of students being injured during a game,” she said. “Weight training strengthens the muscles surrounding the tendons for over-all flexibility and strength. Body building includes weight training but goes on to build specific muscles bigger.”

Monica is an electronic technician at Industrial Indexing Systems. Her husband works in the sales office of Ted Cohen’s Furniture Store. Their son, Allen, is in Mrs. Ann Gilson’s 4th Grade in the Macedon Elementary School.

One of Monica’s goals is to earn her Professional Card by competing in New York City this coming May.

“Amateurs compete for prizes,” she explained. “Professionals compete for money. It is another step toward becoming a fully qualified personal trainer.”

I suspect Monica’s hard work, dedication and friendly personality will bode her well. Meanwhile, I’ll do the best I can to follow her example, but, remember, I’m a lot taller and have much bigger bones, so don’t expect ME to weigh 106 pounds!

October 19, 2017 Up-Date: I was unable to contact Monica by phone, but, there were several hits on google, if you’d like to look her up.