Alumni Cheerleaders Correspondent, Amy Campbell (former Cincinnati Bengals/Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader), interviewed member Brooke Griffin (former Cincinnati Bengals cheerleader). Please enjoy another segment of our “Sideline Distraction to Fitness Attraction” feature.
What professional dance/cheer team were you a member? Cincinnati Ben-Gals
How many years/seasons were you a member? 3
When did you begin competing in Fitness? Why? I love performing and I saw competing in fitness as a challenge after I retired from the NFL. I was in good shape but I wanted to take my physique to the next level. I also love hanging out with the other girls and the rush when I get on stage!
How many years have you been competing in Fitness? I did my first fitness show when I was only 19! I competed for two years back in 2001 and then took a break to cheer in the NFL and came back in 2008.
How is competing similar to your experience as a dancer/cheerleader? How is it different? It is similar because you are performing in front of people and it is high energy and physically demanding. However, I think that competing is more challenging when you are on stage performing out there by yourself whereas when you are on a team you are performing with 30 other girls on the field. You really feel the pressure!
How do you think your experience as a professional dancer/cheerleader prepared you to be a Fitness competitor? It helped so much as I was already comfortable performing in front of people and because of the physical demands of cheering in the NFL I was already in good shape and had a strong background in dance and gymnastics.
What is your favorite Fitness trick/move? I love my standing back tuck into a push-up! It is one of the more challenging moves that I do in my routine but I think that is why I like it so much because it feels great when I nail it on stage!
How did you decide on the theme for your Fitness routine? I was talking to Cathy Savage about doing something a little out of the box that wasn’t something the judges would expect and she came up with Braveheart and I was like Yes! This is my husband’s favorite movie….he wanted to use a song from the soundtrack in our wedding and he was heartbroken when I didn’t go for that so he was pumped about my fitness routine, LOL!
What one tip would you give pro dancers/cheerleaders who are thinking about competing in Fitness? Go to a show! After you watch a show and see the routines performed not only will you be so excited to start working on your own routine but you will see the different styles of routines that are performed and get a feel for what you want your routine to look like. Also look into getting a trainer….I recommend Cathy Savage!
Photo by Gordon J Smith
Photo by Gordon J Smith
Alumni Cheerleaders 