How did you get started in fitness?
I have always been a very fit and active person but I was first introduced to the bodybuilding world through my occupation as a professional Photographer. I was employed to photograph a client at her first ever fitness competition. Straight away I thought I can do this and set my sights on a competition. 6 months later I stepped on stage for the first time and to my disbelief, I walked away with a 3rd 2nd and 1st placings as well as an overall title. The next six months were a whirlwind competing all over Australia in 7 different competitions with Six 1st places and a dozen other placings. I still plan to compete and I’m training for a few competitions ahead but my main aim is to inspire and encourage others to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
How do you stay motivated in your career?
I don’t compete against others I compete against myself. I set short terms goals in the aim to beat my own personal bests and draw inspiration from those who have achieved and reached the goals I plan to.
What’s your favorite music to workout to?
I love listening to most mainstream music and quite a few old classics, anything with a catchy tune or a good beat.
What’s your favorite cheat meal?
Crepe’s and Churros I’m a bit of a sweet tooth. I love spoiling myself to a breakfast date at a pancake house or Chocolateria San Churro after a fitness competition, it only happens a few times a year so it’s ok. Week to week when it’s not close to a competition a Burger and fries is what I enjoy the most.
How do you deal with cravings?
When I first started with competing and changing my lifestyle I struggled with the same boring food. But over time experimenting and learning from others I now love the food I can cook and create. If I have big cravings between meals I turn to flavored cups of tea. My favorites are Tetley – Forest Fruits and Madame Flavour Tea Treats – Mint Choc Rooibos.
What does your diet consist of?
I start my day with Oats & berries. Smoothies, pancakes, porridge, however, you want to have it. A strong start puts you on track for the rest of the day. My main meals lunch and dinner consist of lots of meat, Veg and baked sweet potato. I change it up as much as I can but that is pretty much the base of my meals. I eat 6 meals a day 3 hrs apart. I also aim to drink at least 3 liters of water a day.
What are your 3 favorite exercises?
1) Hanging knee crunches – I love working on my abs! They are easy for me so I enjoy pushing myself to see what I can achieve.
2) Glute cable kickbacks – You can really get into the full movement and when you feel the burn you know it’s working.
3) Chin ups – These work nearly every single muscle in your back. Whilst chin ups are insanely hard if your not well practiced at them, it is a really powerful feeling when you can do them.
Which female celebrity’s physique do you admire the most?
Torrie Wilson, Ana Delia, De Iturrondo, Paige Hathaway, Meredith Mack, Michelle Lewin are just a few of the amazing Fitness Gurls I admire. They represent and embody beauty health and fitness. They show the world Fit is Hot!
What celebrity male’s physique do you find ideal on guys?
Chris Hemsworth in Thor & Channing Tatum in Magic Mike. Definitely a huge fan of solid natural muscley males. These two have the whole physique package.
What supplements would you use or recommend?
My favorite is International Protein’s WPI protein powder Chocolate flavor. I went through a lot of proteins and supplements before I found any that I liked and agreed with me. I am slightly lactose intolerant and I find a lot of the fillers in protein powders make me feel unwell. Until I found International Protein the owner has been a Bodybuilder for a very long time and created her own supplements without extra fillers for her personal use. Years later it’s now a worldwide supplement company. I recently was lucky enough to be signed as one of their sponsored athletes.
What are your top 10 songs to workout to?
Hello – Karmin
Centuries – Fall out boy
Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) Mark Ronson
She’s so mean – Matchbox Twenty
Classic – MKTO
Supermassive Black Hole – Muse
Spirit in the sky – Norman Greenbaum
Get up – Bingo Players
Hooked on a feeling – Blue Swede
Bad – David Quetta & Showtek
Do you have any advice or inspirational words for someone who is aspiring to get into the fitness world?
Some advice I have learned is there is a right and wrong way of going about nutrition and training. Find a trainer that believes in the clean healthy eating method and that you should get all your nutrition from your food. Don’t treat it as a diet, it is a lifestyle. Your training and food need to be consistent, it has to be realistic and maintainable.
Here is one of my favorite quotes, it’s good to write these things in a place where you will visually see it every day. Eg bathroom/bedroom mirror. “Never Give up on a Dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway” – Earl Nightingale
Height: 166cm/5’5″
Weight: 55kg/121 lbs
Born In: Wongan Hills, Western Australia
Resides: Esperance Western Australia
Facebook: Danielle Halford Bikini/Fitness Model
Instagram: @danielle.halford
Photos by ABC Creative / @abccreative
