Lenda Murray: At a Glance

Recently Seven Venues got the chance to sit down with eight time Ms. Olympia Champion, Ms. Lenda Murray. Murray is an accomplished female body builder who possesses a softer, very knowledgeable, "you can do it" outlook on life. It was our pleasure to be able to take a look inside Murray's life as we quickly realized she is not only a physically strong woman but a mentally fierce woman lighting up the the room with her anything-is-possible attitude.

If someone wants to get into bodybuilding, particularly women, what’s the best way to start? What kind of questions should someone ask?
The best way to get into bodybuilding is to join a gym. Get a how-to weight training plan from a book, internet or magazine. Just be consistent. Yes, people are intimidated by weight training, mostly women. There's the belief that if you weight train, you will look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not true. Bodybuilding is like all other sports in that it takes a serious conscious effort to be the ultimate. If you pick up a basketball you're not going to start dunking, and the same is true for bodybuilding. If you pick up a weight, you're not going to develop bulging muscles.

Weight/Resistance/Strength Training is one of the most important forms of exercise. Everyone should incorporate Weight/Resistance/Strength Training into their exercise regime. I call weight training the fountain of youth. It does for your muscles what cardiovascular training does for the heart. Cardiovascular training, running, biking, walking, etc strengthens the heart, where weight training challenges the muscles. Your hard work in Weight training works all day and the signs of it are much more visible, whereas, cardiovascular training is more of an inside job. Muscle that stood at attention when you were younger, no longer does so without some type of Weight/Resistance/Strength Training. At a certain point, adults stop using their muscle they way they did as a kid...so muscle loses tone and strength.


The best questions to ask will come as you begin to be consistent. Actually most answers will come from you, because it's a learning process. Nike has the best saying out there... Just do it! After you've determined what gym to join and what plan to follow, it's all about just following through consistently.

What are some of your nutrition recommendations?
Balance is key in all that we do when it comes to nutrition. Extremes are not necessary.


Must haves in your refrigerator?
Eggs... Great source of protein!


Foods to avoid?
High calorie, high fat. If what you are about to eat is more than 450 calories, it's too much. It doesn't matter if it's natural or healthy. More calories taken in than expended equals weight gain.


Food for energy?
Complex starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, rice and whole grains.


Foods that make you feel sluggish?
Fast food, high calorie.


What brought you into body building? What sparked your interest?
I was an athlete throughout high school and college and wanted to continue to maintain good health through exercise. I joined a gym and after 3 months, I noticed a positive change in my physique. I was hooked and discovered the fountain of youth.

Describe what it feels like to win Ms. Olympia 8 times.
It's a great feeling being up there with greats like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Ms. Olympia is the highest title/honor that a professional bodybuilder can achieve. It's an incredible feeling to be able to say that I'm the best on Planet Earth.


On any given Sunday afternoon, what would you be doing?
Sunday (is) our day off from the hustle of life. Usually I'm eating at a nice restaurant after church. Sunday is usually the day where I cheat and eat some fun food. I always give myself a cheat day, and it usually happens on Sunday. I love sweets and goodies like everybody else, I've just realized that just because it's available for consumption, doesn't mean I get to have it.


If someone could play you in a movie, which actress would it be?
Angela Bassett. She usually plays very strong characters, and sometimes people tell me I look like her.

Do you have any fears in life?
I would say that at 48 years of age growing old has been a little fearful. Discovering my purpose has been a major fear. I think growing old and not discovering my purpose is pretty frightening.


Do you have a biggest accomplishment in life besides winning Ms. Olympia?
I would like to have a successful Reality Show. Although it's tough to match being the best in the world at something again. My goal is mostly to be of service to others. So, I'm in that phase now where I'm searching on what's next for me.

Check it out:
Lenda Murray on YouTube!


Thank you Lenda for sharing with us. We all wish you the best in whatever your next endeavors may be. May you never lose your strength or your spirit!