Dr. Stacey Naito
National NPC Bikni Champion, Physician, Fitness Model & Writer Though Dr. Stacey Naito is a fully licensed and board-certified family practice physician, she is by no means a typical doctor. Dr. Naito is also highly experienced in cosmetic dermatology, and is a published medical researcher. Additionally, she offers weight management, nutritional overhauls, and body transformation services. Her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science, along with over two decades of experience as a fitness trainer, her background in weight training, and her experience as a national level NPC Bikini Champion made her ideally suited for such services. Dr. Naito truly leads by example, defying the aging process through proper nutrition, intense regular exercise and natural supplements. She is completely committed to inspiring others to take a proactive stance in optimizing their health, wellness, vitality and fitness levels. What made you decide to enter your first bodybuilding competition? I attended the NPC California State Bodybuilding Championships in May of 2009, where I was approached by three different people who encouraged me to compete in the newly incepted Bikini Division. I thought about it for a couple of days, then decided that it would be a good bucket list item for me. Little did I know, that upon stepping onstage in July of 2009, I would become bitten by the bug. To date I have competed in 16 NPC shows, ten of which were Pro Qualifiers, and have taken 3 first place National titles.
How do you manage to juggle a medical career, modeling, and competing? I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a challenge to work out of three different offices as a physician, train six to seven days a week and somehow fit in modeling gigs and fitness events while also managing to participate in large-scale bodybuilding competitions. My drive keeps me going, and each day I strive to reach a personal best. I am well aware of my schedule and always make sure my meals and my workout gear are packed up and ready to go, wherever I go.
Was there ever a time in which you were not committed to fitness? Ashamedly, I have to admit that when I was 19, I struggled with a bout of anorexia, and at my worst point got my 5’5’’ frame down to 85 pounds. Yet, I had the resiliency and determination to pull myself out of that destructive pattern and by the age of 21 had declared complete dedication to becoming the picture of health and ultimate fitness. 26.
FitnessX Magazine • JUNE 2012